Monday, May 26, 2008

Remember Them

For many Americans, Memorial Day marks little more than the start of summer. It's a day off to mow the lawn, go to the pool or grill in the back yard.

But it's no holiday for America's best. Memorial Day will find our troops fighting terrorists and other enemies of freedom around the globe. For their sake, let's ponder what this holiday really means.

Those simple grave markers tell great stories. Many represent those who served bravely overseas, then came home to raise families, start businesses and build a great nation. Others signify those who never made it back. They made the ultimate sacrifice so the rest of us could live in freedom and prosperity.

Every year Americans shell out $589 billion on entertainment and dining out, and $543 billion on leisure travel. Meanwhile, our government invests $537 billion on national defense. As a percentage of our gross domestic product (about 4 percent today), that's far less than we've spent in past wars.
at