EDITORIAL: Memorial Day a tribute to our military's sacrifice
May 23-As Americans observe Memorial Day this weekend, we once again find our nation involved in an overseas conflict. The occasion is a reminder of the sacrifices that have built the United States and defended her interests, with Americans consistently answering when their nation has called.
Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, honoring military members who have been killed in service. It is not to be confused with Veterans Day, which is observed in November to honor all those who have defended our nation.
From Bunker Hill to Baghdad, more than 1 million U.S. military members have been killed in war. And as we pause to acknowledge that sacrifice, it is essential to remember that most of them were volunteers. Even during times of a military draft, a majority of those who have fought for this nation have willfully chosen to put on a uniform and defend our ideals.
Yes, the United States is worth fighting for, even in times of internal discord that lends particular meaning to Memorial Day. Many have died defending our right to squabble among ourselves and to disagree about beliefs significant and trivial.
Although Memorial Day did not become a national holiday until 1971, its origins date back to the end of the Civil War. In addition to Americans killed in that conflict, an estimated 290,000 soldiers for the Confederate States of America also died, and many communities on both sides soon began decorating the graves of the fallen.
The tradition endured through World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and various other conflicts. And while some wars are more ingrained than others in the national conscience, the grief of losing a loved one is a constant that remains unchanged through the generations.
So, too, does the need to honor those who lost their lives for their nation. As an old saying goes, freedom isn't free, and American soldiers helped create this nation and have spent our history defending it from despots and tyrants. As President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is credited with saying: "Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them."
Such privileges include the freedom to hold a cookout or take advantage of a Memorial Day sale this weekend. But time also should be made to remember the reason for the holiday and to teach younger generations about the sacrifice of others. Vancouver's Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony is at 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Vancouver Barracks Parade Ground, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd.
Meanwhile, American sacrifices continue, with the nation entering a conflict in Iran this year. That involvement does not yet include ground troops, but 13 American deaths have been reported. President Donald Trump said the nation sends "our immense love and eternal gratitude to the families of the fallen. And, sadly, there will likely be more before it ends. That's the way it is."
Indeed, war inevitably includes casualties. And we hope our nation never becomes inured to military deaths, even when an intervention is righteous and necessary. It is fair to question the righteousness of war, but we shall never question the dedication and the nobility of those who have sacrificed. And we shall always honor the ideals they have defended.
As President John F. Kennedy once explained, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them."
Unlock all stories. Stay informed.
Starting at just $1.99/week
Become a subscriber and get unlimited access to every story, plus our ePaper and app for seamless reading anywhere. Stay informed, support local journalism, and stay connected to your community.
Subscribe today
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published May 23, 2026 at 7:08 AM.