Memorial Day – Are We Really the Land of the Free?

In the United States, Monday is Memorial Day — a day when Americans should pause and focus on the ultimate price paid by so many over the centuries to defend our liberty, our right to privacy, even our financial freedom.

In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by the U.S. Congress. But the origins of this tribute are found in the post-Civil War years when both southern and northern states began local commemorations of the more than 620,000 Americans who died from 1860 to 1865 — the greatest number of deaths in any U.S. war in history.

Yes, hang out our flag, start up the barbeque and cheer the parade. But more importantly, consider seriously the meaning and magnitude of the ultimate sacrifice so many have paid during the 239 years of our nation’s independence.