I'm writing my Memorial Day column this week, even though it's not until next Monday. I feel that it's very important that while we are planning our day off activities, we need to pause and remember why we have a Memorial Day. So while you're stocking up for your big three day weekend, and you're looking over your shopping list to see if there is anything you forgot, you might want to add to your list, take the time to remember those who died in the service of our country.

As you are preparing for the big three day weekend activities, I'm sure you are figuring what it is going to cost you to enjoy the holiday. You figure the price of groceries, the price of gas, but have you ever stopped to think about the price of freedom? Freedom that was bought and paid for by the blood shed and lives given around the world. Let's make sure we never forget the sacrifices that were made, and are still being made around the world, in the name of freedom. Memorial Day, unlike Veterans Day, is a holiday where we can't go to the individual and say “Thank You for serving our country.” Memorial Day doesn't honor the living, but those who have died during their service to their country.

As you should know by now, I'm a big flag waver from my childhood. I was raised to honor our flag, our country, and especially those who serve it, but most of all, those who died serving it. I urge you this Memorial Day to attend one of the Memorial Day services at a local cemetery, or some other gathering to honor those who so defined the word honor. As a nation we have a National day of Prayer, we also have a day of Thanksgiving when we pause to give thanks for the things we have, but on Memorial Day we need to pause to give thanks to the people who fought and died for the freedoms we enjoy daily.

I hope you will be able to enjoy your holiday, that's what 3- day weekends are for, to enjoy and give us a break from the normal routine and stress of work. I just ask that you pause and remember what it is really all about. Then offer a prayer of thanks, before lighting the charcoal, before heading for the mall or the movies, before hearing the announcer say, "Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines," drive by a local cemetery and pay your respect to our veterans resting there. Then go and have a safe and enjoyable holiday, and don't forget to fly your flags.