Remember the debt we owe those who died

We in America seemed to have forgotten the true meaning behind Memorial Day. Now to many, it’s a long holiday weekend or the kickoff to summer. For businesses, it’s another day.

The troops storming the beach at Normandy, the countless soldiers and sailors and Marines who have lost their lives in battles throughout America’s history gave up their hopes, dreams and tomorrows and are forever going to be young men and women whom none of us have ever met or known. But we need to be forever in their debt.

Take a moment and maybe go to your village or town’s Memorial Day service and thank the veterans who are still living who were willing to sacrifice themselves for the freedoms that have been taken for granted.

Those veterans who gave their lives for these freedoms we enjoy, they know the cost. They paid in full for us.

Also let us not overlook others who also are in uniform, serving us, like doctors, nurses, police, firefighters and others who have from accidents, suicide and disease.

Years ago, the great actor Joe Mantegna was asked if hosting the National Memorial Day Concert had gotten old or tiresome. His reply was, “No, it gets better and better each year and because of this day, we wouldn’t have any other holidays.”

I never thought about that until I read that powerful and thought-provoking answer.

I’ll leave you with this thought: For those families whose loved ones paid the ultimate price for us, every day is Memorial Day, not just the last Monday in May.

David Kumpula

Hoffman Estates