Letter: This is our most important holiday

Back 10 years ago, the great actor Joe Mantegna was interviewed by The Army Times. He was asked his thoughts about being the host of the National Memorial Day Concert since 2002 and if it's gotten to be repetitive.

His response was "it gets better and better every year,"

And he added: "Memorial Day is the most important holiday that we celebrate in this country, because without this day, we would have no other holidays."

Think about this statement, Powerful. (so when you're celebrating a three-day weekend and barbecuing and enjoying time with friends and family, remember, somebody paid with their tomorrows for your freedom today.)

Also, there are families of those who have died while in our armed services, although not by war or conflict, but by an accident, training accident, suicide.

Everyday is Memorial Day for them.

David Kumpula

Hoffman Estates