Memorial Day’s origins and why it matters | Letters to the editor

Memorial Day is a day to remember those who died in service for America and other countries that share the ideals of liberty, freedom and human rights.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it derived from when flowers were placed on graves of the dead from the Civil War. We recognize the red poppy as a reminder, as they grew on battlefields after the war. Congress in 1971 declared Memorial Day a federal holiday to be recognized on the last Monday in May.

The estimated military deaths...