Remembering the troops

Monday, May 26, 2008 | 2:07 a.m.

Memorial Day started as a day of remembrance for the Union soldiers killed in the Civil War and eventually became a federal holiday set aside to remember those who died in all of America’s wars.

Over the years, as generations passed and the memories of wars and the fallen faded, the day sadly became better known for sales at the mall and three-day getaways to start summer.

However, the current war has brought renewed meaning to Memorial Day. For all of us, but especially for those whose loved ones have died in battle, the holiday is a somber reminder of the cost of war. More than 4,500 Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2002.

A sadly fitting summary of the war was given at Fort Bragg, N.C., last week. A memorial for members of the famed 82nd Airborne Division who died in Afghanistan and Iraq was rededicated after it had been expanded. The original memorial was not big enough for the addition of the names of 87 paratroopers who died last year.

There is tragedy in any war, but the tragedy in Iraq is that it was poorly conceived and undertaken by the Bush administration, whose disastrous handling of the war is not a reflection on the valor of the men and women who have served their country and made the ultimate sacrifice. Today should be a time to honor them and those who died in other wars.

In 2000 President Clinton issued a proclamation creating a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day. He called for Americans to take a moment at 3 p.m. local time to remember the sacrifice of the men and women who have given their lives and to offer a prayer for peace.

We should all make time this year to do so. Our troops deserve nothing less.