Monday is Memorial Day.
And what happens?
Grills are uncovered, jet skis are fueled, and sun tan lotion is liberally applied.
Memorial Day has become the unofficial kickoff of sweet summertime.
But maybe before the drive to the lake you could take some time to remember what the day is all about.
"If they can't give a whole day, at least give an hour," said Juanita Todd, of the American Legion Auxiliary, "so that people will not forget and that our soldiers did not die in vain."
Mrs. Todd will join others at 11 a.m. at the Veterans of All Wars Monument at Fourth and Broad streets.
She encourages everyone to come down and for parents to bring their children so they might learn our nation's history by hearing about our fallen soldiers.
"This is the history of our military and of our country, and children need to be taught that."
They also need to know that they will have the rest of the summer to be free - a freedom preserved by those we remember this weekend.
Reach Amy Allyn Swann at (706) 823-3338 or amy.swann@augustachronicle.com
WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
SATURDAY
PARADE: 1 p.m., Laurens Street, Aiken; participants include the Signal Corps Band, marching units from the 15th Regimental Signal Brigade and the Naval Information Operations Command-Georgia, and soldiers wounded in Iraq; www.gordon.army.mil/pao/media.htm
COLUMBIA COUNTY RED, WHITE AND BLUE CELEBRATION: 6:30 p.m., Justice Center, Ronald Reagan Boulevard; memorial to the late Charlie Norwood, flag-retirement ceremony, patriotic parade of soldiers, musical entertainment by the Army Signal Corps Band of Fort Gordon, fireworks at dusk; free; (706) 312-7191
SUNDAY
RIDE TO REMEMBER: 11 a.m., begins at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Uptown Division, 1 Freedom Way, off Wrightsboro Road, and ends at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers Downtown Division, 15th Street and Walton Way; (803) 442-3877
SUNRISE SERVICE: 8 a.m., Jefferson County Courthouse, Broad Street, Louisville, Ga.; with the Fort Gordon Signal Corps Band's brass ensemble
MONDAY
CEREMONY: 9 a.m., Courtyard, Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home, 1101 15th St.; with Lt. Col. Nello A. Thomas III; (706) 721-2531
AUGUSTA CONCERT BAND: 7 p.m., Jessye Norman Amphitheater, Ninth Street at Riverwalk Augusta; (706) 821-1754
SERVICE: 10:30 a.m. to noon , Veterans Memorial Park, U.S. Highway 227, Barnwell, S.C.; (803) 644-7439
CEREMONY: 11 a.m., Veterans of All Wars Monument, Fourth and Broad streets; Col. Frank Penha, commander of the 15th Regimental Signal Brigade, will speak.
OBSERVANCE: 11 a.m., Wade Hampton Park, Georgia Avenue at West Clifton Avenue, North Augusta; with Command Sgt. Maj. John Murray, commandant of Fort Gordon's Regimental NCO Academy; (803) 279-2323
DEDICATION AND FESTIVAL: Veterans wall dedication, 1 p.m., Heritage Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., City Hall, 103 Old Wrightsboro Road, Grovetown; with Brig. Gen. Randy Strong, commanding general, U.S. Army Signal Center and Fort Gordon; Fort Gordon Signal Corps Band; (706) 863-4576
OBSERVANCE: 7:30 p.m., Brandon Wilde, 4275 Owens Road, Evans; with Dr. Richard Jadick; (866) 239-4533
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