The real meaning of Memorial Day is not the start of summer and it’s not merely a three-day weekend. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have served, fought and died for our country.

To those who have served and died, thank you. To the families of veterans, thank you. You have all given something that we cannot repay. Thank you.

Please take the time to read this in its entirety:

A message from VFW National Commander Tradewell…
It’s a sacred day to all war veterans: None need to be reminded of the reason that Memorial Day must be commemorated. But what about the general public, and more important, future generations? Do most non-veterans really recognize the importance of the day honoring their fellow Americans killed in war?

Judging from what Memorial Day has become—simply another day off from work—the answer is a resounding no. Perhaps a reminder is due, then. And it is the duty of each and every veteran to relay the message.

Sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. America’s collective consciousness demands that all citizens recall and be aware of the deaths of their fellow countrymen during wartime.

Far too often, the nation as a whole takes for granted the freedoms all Americans enjoy. Those freedoms were paid for with the lives of others few of us actually knew. That’s why they are all collectively remembered on one special day.

This should be regarded as a civic obligation. For this is a national debt that can only be truly repaid by individual Americans. By honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory and thus their service and sacrifice in the memories of future generations.

I am profoundly sad that searching the interwebs for Memorial Day Charlottesville 2010 brings results of nothing more than closings, sales, tournaments, etc. At least The HooK has a story about some local Charlottesville veterans.