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Memorial Day a time for thought

It’s Memorial Day weekend.

On Monday, residents from across the nation will gather to pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our nation’s armed forces. They are those men and women who have laid down their lives while making sure this country, and many others, would be safe and their people free to live their lives.

There will be ceremonies, including many here in the Ohio Valley, to pay tribute to those who have been lost in countless battles, in numerous wars and conflicts. Music will be performed, salutes will be held, wreaths will be placed at monuments and other markers of tribute.

It is a time to reflect on what we are able to do in this nation, and why.

The Ohio Valley always has been a very patriotic area, with men and women throughout many generations willing to take those steps to become protectors of our land. We often look at those we elect to govern as among the highest of importance, but it is those men and women in uniform who truly risk it all. Unfortunately, for that risk they often don’t get the recognition they deserve.

We all have known someone to step up and put on one of the uniforms of our nation’s military. Whether it be the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, National Guard, etc., they all step forward, knowing there is going to be a risk as part of doing their job.

We have had fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, cousins, friends and more serve. Some have been able to come home safe, while others have not.

Today’s military is a voluntary force. The draft hasn’t been used in many years, so everyone is there because they made the choice to serve. At some point in their lives, they chose to put on that uniform, to go through the necessary training and to take up arms in order to protect this nation and its people.

There are far too many of us who have not made that decision, and we should do more to remember the sacrifices of those who have.

The military is often politicized in our country, but it shouldn’t be.

Arguing over funding for equipment, technology and other needs in the military shouldn’t be done in order to score points with a political party, or done in an effort to earn votes.

This weekend, we should all take the time to think about those men and women who have taken the oath to serve and protect this nation. We should remember their service, and what they have had to do over countless generations guarding our shores, patrolling our borders and our airspace, going overseas to fight battles and help others.

It especially is a time to think about the sacrifices of those who have not been able to return from that service.

They are family, friends, co-workers and neighbors. They have given their all to protect the rest of us, and it should never be forgotten.

(Howell, a resident of Colliers, is managing editor of The Weirton Daily Times, and can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com or followed on Twitter @CHowellWDT)

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