Most everyone looks at Memorial Day as the culmination of a three-day weekend of fun, barbeques, and downtime. Few people seem to remember the purpose of this day is to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this nation and the freedoms we enjoy.

On May 5, 1868, Gen. John Logan issued General Order No. 11, which read in part:

“We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders.

“Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no vandalism of avarice or neglect, no ravages of time testify to the present or the coming generations, that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided Republic. If other eyes grow dull, and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remains to us.”

If you notice the date, you realize Gen. Logan was talking about the American Civil War. Three years after the war ended, the nation was still shocked at the carnage. Official U.S. government statistics place the number of dead at 620,000. Some today say the number could be closer to 750,000.

To put the 620,000 in perspective, the population of the United States, North and South, in 1860 was around 32 million. Today, our population exceeds 320 million. Those 620,000 deaths would translate into 6.2 million today when adjusted for population.

When Gen. Logan issued General Order No. 11, he named May 30 as the date for the observance. He picked that day because no significant battle during the war took place on that date. Today, by law Memorial Day is the last Monday in May. However, this year the last Monday in May coincides with May 30.

We need to return to using Memorial Day as a day of somber remembrance of the brave men and women who gave their lives to secure and protect our liberties. Most people do not even realize that today at 3 p.m. local time, every person is supposed to observe a moment of remembrance.

We can use this day to visit memorials to the sacrifice they made. We can also use this day to visit cemeteries and place flags on the graves of the fallen. We can use this day to talk with our children and grandchildren about the meaning and purpose of Memorial Day.

Use today to brush up on American history. If a parade honoring Memorial Day is near you, attend it. Write a letter to a veteran’s family or someone on active duty, or shop at a store you know is veteran-owned. If a drive to put together packages for those in the military is taking place in your community, help.

If you have a U.S. flag, fly it – at half-staff. Lead your family in singing some patriotic songs. “My Country Tis of Thee” and “America the Beautiful” come to mind. Pray for our nation, pray for those serving in the armed forces, and pray for veterans.

Do something other than veg out and treat this day as just another day off work. Do something that shows you honor the sacrifice of those who gave all.

Please.

Mike Parker is a columnist for Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.