Summer kickoff isn't goal of Memorial Day

 Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May — May 30 in 2011. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military services. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the Civil War, the holiday was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

While Memorial Day unofficially marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day is its unofficial end, I would like to remind all citizens that the actual first day of summer is the longest day of the year — the summer solstice — when the sun reaches its most northern point in the sky around noon. After this date, the days start getting shorter.

Please remember: This year, summer solstice is June 21, 1:16 p.m. EDT. It’s not on May 30!

Memorial Day should be celebrated by supporting the brave young men and women who serve this country, so those of us at home can exercise our constitutional right to free speech, and live safely and prosperously.

In honor of those who have made the supreme sacrifice for us, I would encourage all Americans this Memorial Day to remove their “Save the ... whatever” or “For sale” signs from their front lawns and replace them with an American flag or “Support Our Troops” sign for the holiday weekend.

Please consider attending your local community’s Memorial Day celebration, whether it is a parade, memorial service or other such patriotic display of American citizenship.