Memorial Day is a holiday that we sometimes think of barbecues, family gatherings, and a day off of work. It is also the day we enjoy the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 in Nascar. Many people take the day and visit cemeteries to remember their loved ones, and many people also visit memorials. Another tradition for Memorial Day is to fly the American flag at half-staff from dawn until noon. Sometimes volunteers take the time to place flags on each gravesite at National Cemeteries.

There are numerous ways that you may celebrate the holiday. Sometimes we forget about the real reason that we have this holiday, and that is to commemmorate United States Service Members who died while serving our country. This was originally called Decoration Day founded by African Americans, at the graveyard of 257 Union soldiers of the American Civil War back in 1865 in Charleston, South Carolina.

But it seems that this holiday of 2011 seems to be a good time to reflect on many of the things we have to be thankful for. Throughout this year, we have seen or heard of many United States Service Members being wounded or killed while serving in the war in Afghanistan. And if you are a parent or brother or sister or even a friend of someone who is serving, if your loved one that is serving is one that hasn't been wounded or killed, you can be thankful for that. Prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones who have served. Nothing can be more painful than having a loved one who you are so proud of and thankful for lose their life fighting for our freedom.

It seems that this year there has been many people involved in tragedies throughout the country and world, and although they happen every day, it seems this year they have been more frequent and no matter which tragedy we can speak of, the devastation that each one causes, makes it very difficult for so many families to carry on even though they do every time.

We don't hear alot about the Japan earthquake anymore, not because we don't care or have forgotten, but more because there have been so many daily tragedies happening in our country with the weather. While the devastating Alabama tornado seemed so horrible and terrifying for some, the news of the tornado in Joplin, Missouri has taken over the daily news because it was even a worse tragedy than Alabama's.

It really doesn't matter which tragedy we choose to think about, all of them create their own devastation and sadness each time they happen. But we are given this day of Memorial Day to most importantly remember those who have given their lives so that we would have the freedoms that we have today.

It just seems to be a good idea to take the day and also remember everyone that has been involved in or knew someone that was lost in the tragedies of the world this year. So, while the most important part of Memorial Day is to remember and give thanks to our service members, it would seem appropriate to also take a moment to look back and remember those that were lost in the tragedies of the world this year.