Memorial Day is this coming up Monday and his this week's editorial, KAUZ General Manager Mike DeLier explains what the day should mean to us all.

It isn't Thanksgiving, and it's not someone's birthday - some don't even know what the day means at all. It's Memorial Day! Originally called Decoration Day; it's a day of remembrance for those who have fallen while in the service of our country.

It may have originated with women's groups in the south -- who decorated the graves of those killed during the Civil War. No matter, it is a special day.

We should recognize it as a special day -- and observe it in special ways. Sure, it is now a three day weekend. Nothing wrong with vacations, camping, trips just resting at home. It's our choice.

Just remember, though, if it wasn't for those brave men and women who fell in the service of this country -- we might not have the opportunities that we now enjoy.

For those of us who grew up shortly after World War II it was not uncommon to have school pals - teammates, who had lost a father, or a brother in the war. They observed Memorial Day - and we right along with them.

Things got a little lose with Korea and Viet Nam. Divisions in our country still run deep. No matter. Most of us have learned to deal with it on some basis or another. But don't forget, many brave soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines died fighting in those wars as well - of late we just seem to have replaced the spirit of the day with a three day weekend.

If we can't seem to remember why we observed Memorial Day in the past - let's spend a silent moment, each of us, on Memorial Day this year and acknowledge the sacrifice being made by young men and women currently fighting, dying and bleeding in Afghanistan and Iraq.

We have a lot to be thankful for as citizens of this country, this Memorial Day. Let's try to pause if only a minute and acknowledge those that sacrificed, and those that are sacrificing so much for us right now.

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