For many, Memorial Day brings thoughts of a long weekend accompanied by cookouts and other social gatherings. But hopefully amidst the beginning-of-summer celebrations, people will take a little time out to remember the reason for the holiday.

Memorial Day began in the latter half of the 19th century as a way to honor those who lost their lives fighting in the Civil War. When World War I broke out, the tradition was extended to honor those who died fighting that war. Finally in the 1960s, the federal government set its official name as “Memorial Day.” Shortly after that, it became an official federal holiday.

Although World War I was supposed to be the “war to end all wars,” the march of time has shown not to be true. Since that time, thousands of U.S. servicemen have lost their lives fighting for the freedoms so many take for granted. From World War II to Korea to Vietnam to the current war on terror, countless young men and women have paid the ultimate price so we can spend a leisurely Saturday morning reading the newspaper.

And while living in constant remorse over the extraordinary loss of young potential would defeat the purpose of their fight, we can all afford a few minutes to remember them. Or better yet, squeeze an hour or two out of the week to volunteer at the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home to let those brave men and women know they are not forgotten.