My friends who fell are remembered: by me, by their families, their classmates, and others. Unfortunately, there are some soldiers of my rifle company who do not even enjoy that small token. They were draftees from the inner city, from broken homes, unremarkable in every respect. Except that they did what their country asked them to do and died willingly doing what I asked them to do. They are the ones I respect.
They deserve nothing less than the respect, and admiration, of every American. They are real heroes...
These men are the reason why we observe Memorial Day. It is a day to honor them, their service, and their sacrifice.
I, for one, don't want to see Memorial Day "watered down".