. . . it has been said, all that a man hath will he give for hislife; and while all contribute of their substance the soldier putshis life at stake, and often yields it up for the country’s cause.The highest merit, then, is due to the soldier.

— Abraham Lincoln

Monday is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor andremember those brave men and women who did give up their lives forthe country’s cause.

While the first observance came after the Civil War, thelist of conflicts and causalities has grown over the years . . .the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, Korea,Vietnam, Beirut, Grenada, Panama, Desert Storm, Bosnia.

Memorial Day is observed not just in America, but in everycountry where American soldiers are buried. Tomorrow, flags willfly at half-mast, parades will wind through city streets andflowers will be placed on graves to honor our war heroes.

Enjoy the holiday, but remember: it’s not just a day off;it’s not just a holiday to mark the arrival of summer.

It is a day set aside to honor those who made the ultimatesacrifice to ensure all the freedoms we hold so dear are nevertaken away from us; to remember those whose blood was spilled,whose lives were lost.

Let’s pause tomorrow and remember that — it’s the veryleast we can do.