Memorial Day makes its mark

On Monday, May 28, Harlem Valley communities joined the rest of the nation to remember and respect its war dead with parades and ceremonies, much as they have for generations. Carrying on these traditions is as important today as it was when they began at the end of the Civil War.Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day provided an opportunity for bereaved women to decorate the graves of soldiers who didn’t survive the battlefield. That desire to honor our dead, and to thank those who served our country so bravely, continues to this day. Not only does doing so bring a certain amount of closure to those grieving, it also shows respect to those still fighting, as well as to veterans who have returned home. Yes, Memorial Day serves multiple purposes, all equally important. It is a day when our nation comes together, despite its many differences. Political, religious and socio-economic differences are put aside as men and women join together to remember fallen soldiers. It provides a moment for families to silently thank those who won our freedom with their lives. It lets the generations connect while honoring those who fought to ensure America remains the brightest and the best democracy in the world. Even those considered rivals put aside their grievances to recognize the sacrifices made by every man and woman who donned a military uniform without hesitation and without complaint, so others could live free.For all of these reasons and more it’s our duty to see that Memorial Day never falls by the wayside, and that our communities continue to make recognizing the holiday a priority.Certainly the ceremonies our towns hold, from Millerton to Amenia, Pine Plains to Millbrook, deserve praise. They are by no means easy to organize and execute, and the American Legion posts, the VFWs, the Ladies Auxiliaries, the town governments — all of the groups that collaborate to pull them off should be congratulated for doing so and thanked for providing their communities the opportunity to recognize the holiday properly. Such events exemplify what living in America is all about, and so we thank everyone involved. Most importantly, we salute all veterans, past and present, who have served this nation so valiantly; we will never forget their sacrifices.