Although many folks look forward to barbecues, the beach, or other family activities during the Memorial Day weekend, this special holiday has an interesting history.

"The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents to spread,
And Glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead."

Thus begins Theodore O'Hara's magnificent 96-line elegy, "Bivouac of the Dead," written after the Battle of Buena Vista (1847) during the Mexican War (1846-48). O'Hara poignantly captured the emotions of battle after experiencing the fighting and sobering casualties. He wrote this elegy as brilliantly as Herman Melville's "Shiloh" (1862), Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" speech, or John McRae's profound WW I poem entitled, "In Flanders Fields" (1915).

Memorial Day originally developed from the ravages of the Civil War, yet inspiring lines from O'Hara's poem are now inscribed at most national war memorials, including Arlington National Cemetery. After the Civil War ended in 1865, some women, and a few Confederate and Union veterans began to lay flowers on the graves of slain soldiers, similar to what the Greeks in ancient times had done.

No one knows for sure who organized the first "Decoration Day" ceremonies. However, ceremonies and parades gained momentum after Maj. Gen. John Logan authorized Decoration Day in May, 1868. After the proclamation, many yearly events were organized to honor soldiers who fought and died in the Civil War.

For many years, the ceremonies were held on May 30th. Over time, the last Monday in May came to be recognized as the day to pay tribute to those who fell in battle, and several monuments on hallowed ground were built.

Following World War I, Decoration Day gradually evolved into Memorial Day. It came to include fallen veterans thoughout our history who sacrificed their lives to preserve American democratic ideals. On that day, services are held at cemeteries and memorials to honor our military veterans who died so that we can live in freedom.

Now that our brave military personnel are engaged in the Afghanistan and Iraq theatres, it is relevant to reflect on their sacrifices and service to humanity. Members of the armed forces who have fallen in harm's way ought to be honored for their priceless devotion to liberty.

Memorial Day illustrates that fighting for liberty isn't merely a one-time event that was completed after the Revolutionary War. If we take freedom and security for granted, these virtues can be undermined by terrorists and tyrants. Liberty is a precious gift that must be defended and protected with vigilance for current and future generations.

Those involved in combat should have our prayers and support as they endure the difficult challenges of fighting an implacable foe. There are many ways that we can honor our fallen warriors and those missing in action. When we see a member of the armed forces, we can thank them for their commitment to freedom. We can respect the dead by supporting our troops with the best equipment and training possible during their service in war zones.

We can support private and public organizations that offer excellent care to wounded veterans. These veterans deserve the best because they are the best of humanity. The USO is also a positive morale booster for veterans in the field, as well as those in transit around the globe. Moreover, returning service members ought to receive education and career assistance for the transition back into civilian life. Veterans' programs can help with education, health care, housing, training, and so on.

On Memorial Day, veterans and non-veterans can be grafeful for all those who fought for our liberties since 1775. We can also appreciate the fact that we have a professional military with civilian oversight from Congress and the Executive Branch.

This Memorial Day and every day, let us pay our respects to all the heroes of past and present conflicts who gave everything to restore liberty and peace. Let us commemorate them for the ultimate sacrifices they made to protect the natural, universal rights of hundreds of millions of people they didn't even know.

Let us never forget the selfless service of men such as Michael Monsoor, Michael Murphy, Pat Tillman, and thousands of others. They can truly inspire us to build a better world, because they put their lives on the line for humanity.