Happy Memorial Day! For many, Memorial Day Weekend is the official kick-off to summertime. Though Summer Solstice is still a few days away, many schools have started their summer breaks, graduation celebrations have commenced, and everyone is ready to hit the beach, the pool, hit the road for summer travels, or to relax at home with a nice BBQ.

While we often think of summer fun and getting together to (let's be honest here) party with our friends and family, my hope is that the meaning of Memorial Day is not lost on us or our children. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have died serving our country, and fighting for our freedom. Though we did have a family cookout this weekend, I made sure that I took the time to explain the meaning of Memorial Day to my kids. We put out flags on our front and back porches and gave thanks for those who lost their lives to protect us.

I'm not sure how we'll spend the day today. Since we had our family cookout yesterday, we may head to the park, hit the pool, or just relax at home. We might even head downtown to visit the Historic Salisbury National Cemetery, which is just minutes from where we live. Spending at least part of our day exploring history is important to me.

My hope is that everyone will take time out of their day to give thanks for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Wishing you a safe and happy Memorial Day,