Opinion More than a day off

Nearly six months ago, in observance of Veterans Day, I wrote of a new war and "veterans in the making."

Sadly -- although certainly not unexpectedly -- the list of those to honor on Memorial Day has since grown.

That list will continue to grow.

Memorial Day was first observed on May 30, 1868, as Decoration Day. The purpose was to decorate, with flags and flowers, the graves of soldiers killed in the Civil War.

Since that time, the annual observance has evolved to honor all of those who have died in the nation's armed conflicts.

In 1971, the fixed date of May 30 was changed so that the somber holiday always falls on the last Monday of May -- an innovation to accommodate the modern convenience of the three-day weekend.

Three-day weekends are a fine idea.

As Americans, however, it's our responsibility to see that the real meaning of the day is not lost in vacation planning and holiday specials.

Politically, there may be controversy over missions that our military personnel are assigned to perform.

Our service members, however -- and I stress the word "service" -- do not set the national policies they are sworn to uphold.

Therefore, one thing that should never be controversial is the support that each of us owes to the individuals who serve. Their service is to us.

Our country's military personnel know that not everyone necessarily agrees with all that they do, and that's okay.

There is no excuse, however, for any one of them to ever feel that what they do is not valued by the people they serve.

It would be cruel irony for a service member to be honored in death after being ignored, or worse yet, scorned in life.

One of the best ways, therefore, to honor the fallen on Memorial Day is to honor those who still serve.

There is no avoiding the fact that somewhere today is a soldier, sailor or airman who will one day be eligible for this particular honor that no one seeks but many have accepted.

Last week, aboard a Coast Guard Cutter in the Gulf of Alaska, I had the privilege to observe, first hand, some of the men and women who continue serve our country.

In one instance, I watched an entire crew answer an emergency call as if it were a single organism. I was impressed, and I can assure you that we are well represented by those who serve in today's military.

After a few days at sea, I left the ship in Alaska and returned to Sisters; the approximately 180 active duty crew members, however, continued on into the Bering Sea where they will patrol the Maritime Boundary Line that divides our waters from those of Russia.

Just a few months ago, that same ship -- the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett -- was off the coast of South America intercepting vessels that carried tons of cocaine.

In 1999, it spent six months on patrol in the Persian Gulf with the USS Constellation Battle Group.

All over the globe, our country's soldiers, sailors and airmen put themselves at risk to defend and support our country, while most of the time, we are not even aware that they are out there.

Thankfully, most of these people will survive to become "veterans," but some will not. It is appropriate that we remember them. It is right that we honor them.

Remember that Memorial Day is more than just a three-day weekend to herald the coming of summer.

Even if you don't take the time to attend memorials or decorate graves or even to fly a flag, at least take the time to honor the fallen with a prayer or thought of thanks.

The honor we give to them is but little compared to how they have honored us.