Memorial Day is not in any way, shape or form your traditional holiday. No fireworks, turkeys or thanks-for-your-service events. This is for those who didn’t come back. While it is okay to have fun, we should also recall that it is a date to honor those who have served and died for their country — our country. Despite its somber nature, many people, like me, have some happy memories of Memorial Days past.

Many years ago I served on Memorial Day as part of a massive Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard honor guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Maybe you know some people who are buried there? I do.

A few years ago we heard from Marc Harris, a long time former Washington D.C. fed. We thought his comments were worth repeating because they probably reflect what so many of you think, have done or are doing today:

Memorial Day is about more than summer road trips and barbecues. For 30 years, I served our country, especially those least fortunate in our society, alongside my fellow federal workers.

In addition to serving every American, one of the federal workforce’s greatest responsibilities is to support and equip our nation’s men and women in uniform. My civil servant colleagues and I felt a great responsibility to provide for our troops, and we mourned each time we learned of a fallen soldier.

So to me, Memorial Day is sacred. On behalf of America’s federal workers, half of whom work directly with our nation’s military, we salute our fallen heroes and thank the men and women who are currently serving around the world to defend the United States.

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