Show some respect before lighting up grill

Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer, mostly because the Uniform Holiday Act of 1968 led to the creation of the federally declared three-day holiday weekend in 1971.

The other Memorial Day, the real one which since 1868 had been celebrated on May 30 before the act shifted it to the last Monday in May, is when we’re supposed to commemorate the ultimate sacrifice made by members of the armed forces in service to their country.

Notable in the sentence above is the passage, “when we’re supposed to …” because although it does introduce the reason for the observance, it also implies that this solemn purpose is often forgotten amidst all the pre-summer celebrations.

That’s a shame, because in this age of high-tech warfare, drones and long-distance destruction, it is still the willingness of millions of men and women to go in harm’s way when called upon that is the ultimate deterrent that keeps this nation’s enemies at bay.

That is the essence of the real Memorial Day, which will be celebrated Monday with remembrances, honors and respect in Berlin with its Old-Fashioned Memorial Day Parade, in Ocean Pines at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, and in Ocean City at the American Legion Synepuxent Post 166.

These salutes to the casualties of war and conflict have little to do with Memorial Day, the season opener beside occupying the same square on the calendar.

That is, of course, unless we offer a few minutes of respectful appreciation for those who fell in defense of our liberties and principles before we mark the beginning of summer by firing up the grill.