All gave some; some gave all

It has always irritated me how people interchange Memorial Day and Veterans Day. By doing so, I believe it diminishes both holidays for those that served and those that lost someone who served.

Memorial Day is the time we set aside to honor those who have lost their lives serving this country and protecting our freedom. Yes, it is good and right to honor our veterans and should be done every day. However, Veterans Day in November is the time we especially salute those that are living and have served our country.

So I was so sad (OK a little angry too) to see the front of my Daily Herald with a cover page headlined "Salute to veterans." Why not remember those that gave their all?

A flag flies at my house every day to honor our country and servicemen and women. On Memorial Day, a special flag flies on a pole in the middle of my yard. There is a black ribbon that flies from the top of the flag until noon. That is to honor our war dead. Then at noon the ribbon comes off to honor the living veterans the rest of the day. (That is the proper flag etiquette).

So technically, I guess you have it half right, but the real reason we observe Memorial Day is for the dead, not the living. I wish the Herald would have done a better job honoring those that gave it all.

Only two people ever died for you. One was Jesus and the other was the U.S. soldier. One died for your soul. The other died for your freedom.

Otis Kirchhoefer

Schaumburg