Celebrate Memorial Day

Cal Thomas | Syndicated columnist | Published: May 24, 2002

Celebrate Memorial Day

Abraham Lincoln said of Memorial Day: "The mystic cords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart...should swell a mighty chorus of remembrance and gratitude and rededication on this solemn occasion."

Indeed it should, but too many young people think it's about pool openings or just taking a day off and eating hot dogs and hamburgers.

People died so we might live. Our fellow citizens in large wars and small conflicts - and more recently in terrorist attacks - gave their lives for this country. Some willingly, some unexpectedly. They deserve to be remembered and honored. And our schools and families should teach them to do so.

Visit a cemetery today with children and grandchildren and see if you can find a veteran's grave. That's easier to do at Arlington Cemetery here in the Washington area than in other places, but veterans are buried all over the country and if you try, you can find one. Barring that, get on the Internet and go to www.remember.gov for a helpful national moment of remembrance page. Celebrate Memorial Day for the sake of those who gave their lives for us. I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.

Celebrate Memorial Day