Whether you are watching a parade or grilling burgers in the backyard with your family this Memorial Day, make sure you take some time to think about the meaning behind this federal holiday.

Held on the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is time devoted to remembering the people who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

There aren’t enough words to sum up the gratitude we should all feel for those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms. Let’s hope our generation and generations to come will do the same if called upon.

Many things have been said in reference to patriotism and service, and we’ve included a list of some of our favorites below. Please take a few minutes to read them and think about what they mean. Better yet, read about who was quoted and the context in which the quote was delivered.

It will help capture the true spirit of the day.

 

For love of country they accepted death.

— James A. Garfield

 

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.

— Mark Twain

 

I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.

— Nathan Hale

 

Who kept the faith and fought the fight; The glory theirs, the duty ours.

— Wallace Bruce

 

The patriot’s blood is the seed of Freedom’s tree.

— Thomas Campbell

 

The dead soldier’s silence sings our national anthem.

— Aaron Kilbourn

 

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.

— John F. Kennedy

 

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.

— President Ronald Reagan

 

God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.

— Daniel Webster

 

Opinions expressed are those of the editorial board consisting of Publisher Michael Caldwell and editors Ambrosia Neldon, Craig Haupert, Ted Yoakum and Scott Novak.