A lot of the news stories about the upcoming Memorial Day weekend are about it being the unofficial start of summer and about it being a busy travel time and a busy time for outings and picnics and family gatherings.
But we should not forget, and never forget, is what Memorial Day itself is all about.
It is the day every year that we honor the hundreds of thousands of Americans in the military who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The men and women who have given their lives in service to their country and their oath to defend it at all costs.
On Memorial Day we hear of the stories about those who risked and lost their lives saving others during battles and confrontations with enemies in two World Wars, in South Korea, in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.
But it’s also a day to remember those who may not have died on a battlefield but have lost their lives protecting us every day here at home.
The police officers who have died in the line of duty, who rush toward the sounds of gunfire to protect others..
Or the firefighters who have died protecting us from the ravages of wildfires.
These are the first responders who, like hundreds did on 9-11 more than two decades ago at the Twin Towers, rush toward danger, not deterred by the risk to their own lives.
So on this Memorial Day, as we honor those who have fallen in battle far from home, we might also want to remember those who are fighting battles against evil and danger at home.
(Photo Getty Images)