Ray Cook: Memorial Day is about those who served and died

Memorial Day, once called Decoration Day, is meant as a day to remember all those who have died while in military service. This Memorial Day I think it important that you remember the day from a military mind. It is not about you or your vacation. Memorial Day is about the dead and dying.

Memorial Day is not about parades or hot dogs to us veterans, though you will see some of us in those parades. Like our days in service, we do that not because we want to but because it is expected of us. Usually, after that parade is done we retire to our clubhouses--Legion posts, AmVet posts, VFW posts or Elk Lodges--and eat as much as we can, drink, tell stories and look at pictures of our buddies.

We try not to dwell on the weird parts of our experiences, but sometimes I think we need to share those so you civilian folks get a clearer taste of how hard life can get while in service. I will share with you some stories so when you remember veterans and call us heroes, you will think about the words you chose and envision what the life of an active service member is actually like. And what their death is like as well. Because, after all, Decoration Day was, and Memorial Day is, about those who have served and died.