Memorial Day is Monday, May 27
and many who are enjoying the time off from work and school are unaware of
exactly why the holiday is so important to our country.
Memorial Day honors members of the military who died
in service to their country or as a result of battlefield injuries and hostile
actions.
It has been conservatively estimated that at almost 588,000 military personnel have died as a result of hostile action during conflicts and wars the U.S. was involved in. A hostile casualty is a person who is the victim of a terrorist activity or who becomes a casualty in combat action.
The Vietnam Veterans of America will have a remembrance celebration from 9 – 10 a.m., May 27, at Veterans Park (adjacent to Railroad Park) in Downtown Kingman, and all residents and their families are invited to attend.
Many VFWs, American Legions, military fraternal, and other fraternal and civilian organizations throughout Mohave County will be conducting ceremonies for Memorial Day. People interested in attending a Memorial Day celebration, should contact their town officials, local military fraternal, and other fraternal and civilian organizations to see what they might have scheduled.
Remember what the true reason for Memorial Day is and reflect upon those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Take the time to research Memorial Day, and if someone says they don’t know why it is a national holiday, take the time to explain exactly why it is so important to our country and the American people.
- Butch Meriwether
