Lets all give a SINCERE THANK YOU to all who have served this country in the pass, present, and the future and who have served this country and fought so courageously to protect our freedom that allows us to live in such a GREAT COUNTRY.
Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers. On May 5, 1868, Logan declared in General Order No. 11 that:

More than 1.5 million American men and women who served our Armed Forces have died. One point five million–that is the equivalent of the entire country of Estonia. It is hard to comprehend. They did not die in vain. They died in service to our country. In return, we owe them and their families our greatest respect.

Is this country even capable of this kind gratitude anymore? I fear few of our citizens realize that so many died to make this country free and what it is today. I pray we do not treat this shedding of blood so lightly as it has been demonstrated lately.

@jay8h - You pose a very interesting question! Along with your statement.

Is this country even capable of this kind gratitude anymore? I fear few of our citizens realize that so many died to make this country free and what it is today.