Slighting Memorial Day

Memorial Day should be an important day of remembrance for all Americans to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for this country. Unfortunately, The Salt Lake Tribune seems to have forgotten the role they could play in helping all of us understand what this day is all about.

This year there was only one paragraph in the weekend edition of the newspaper prior to Memorial Day about a few events which would take place on this day. Details were lacking. For example, it mentioned a ceremony at the Utah Capitol, but neglected to tell us what time it would start. The front page of the paper was devoted to BYU’s NILS deals, and “How queer is SLC?”

It seems that many Americans now see Memorial Day as a day off from work or school, a time to have a barbecue, take a trip, or just plain relax. Some believe that it is a day to visit the graves of their loved ones. All these activities are fine. Nevertheless, Memorial Day is specifically a day to show respect for those who have made all these other activities possible. They represent the 1% of our citizens who ever serve in our armed forces.

Many of those who serve our nation today, and those who have in the past, believe that they are only honored during a war where they might become KIA. The Salt Lake Tribune could help prove this is not the case by publishing some articles about the importance of Memorial Day every year. This would truly be a way to “support the troops” during war and peace.

Luciano Santiago Martinez

Murray