Remember those who paid ultimate sacrifice

The real meaning of Monday’s holiday too often gets commandeered.

Memorial Day is not about boating, barbecuing or marking the start of summer. It’s not even about thanking veterans for their service, although we should do that every day.

Specifically, Memorial Day is to honor and remember members of the Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country.

Memorial Day traces its origins to Decoration Day, first celebrated in 1868, to honor the soldiers for the Union and Confederate armies who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, the holiday was expanded to honor all service members who died in war.

In the words of President Abraham Lincoln at his second inaugural address: “Let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.”

Memorial Day didn’t become the common name for the holiday until after World War II, and then became the official day for the holiday in 1967.

Does that make it wrong to enjoy time with your family while firing up the grill?

Not at all.

But keep those who have fought and died for the U.S. in your thoughts, and keep their loved ones in your prayers.

And consider attending one of these local Memorial Day events Monday:

• Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1003 Basinger/Sone Memorial Post will host ceremonies at the gravesites of the veterans for which it is named. U.S. Marine Pvt. Roy Sone died in action in 1918. In 1986, then-Cole County Sheriff Wyman Basinger, who was a U.S. Marine during World War II, died after a traffic accident on U.S. Highway 54.

The event will occur 8 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery, 2600 W. Main St.

• The local veterans council will host a Memorial Day program outside the State Capitol. The program is to begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, on the north side of the Capitol, 201 W. Capitol Ave.

The event, which is free, will feature speakers Don Hentges, Missouri Veterans Commission Executive Director Paul Kirchoff and Missouri State Highway Patrol Col. Eric Olson. The event will include prayer, songs, a wreath ceremony and a bell ceremony.

• The Jefferson City Community Band will perform a free Memorial Day Concert at 2 p.m. at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 327 E. Capitol Ave.

We all deserve time to relax, play and enjoy friends and family, but our nation’s military veterans also deserve a time to be remembered.

This Memorial Day, take time to actively participate in honoring the service and sacrifices that have preserved our liberties.