By Justin Smith

The Selma Times-Journal

Memorial day is a time where Americans take a break from their busy lives and show gratitude to all of the veterans that have sacrificed their life for the good of the country.

Grills are lit and family members come together. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Selma Post 3016 is attempting to rekindle the love for the veterans that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Post 3016 will host a Memorial Day program on Monday to celebrate the national holiday at Bloch Park.

A guest speaker will be there to discuss the importance of remembering and appreciating what many soldiers did on the battlefield.

The event will begin at 11 a.m. and everyone is encouraged to come out.

“We want everyone to come out, especially the ones that are not sure what Memorial Day is,” Quarter Master of Post 3016 Rod Stone said.

“I feel the meaning has been lost with all the sales that go on and people forget what it took for them to be free enough to purchase those items.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars is expecting many to come out and learn something about Memorial Day and what certain men and women chose to do with their lives.

The program will go through several rituals from the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and The American Disabled Veterans Association.

Each will come forward and pay respect to the fallen soldiers in their own way.

Taps will be played by Jesse Sanchez during the event.

“The family and friends of veterans should come out and show their gratitude to the soldiers,” Stone said.

The group will not wait until Memorial Day to pay respect to the fallen men.

The boy scouts along with several other entities will go with them to the graves of fallen veterans at the New Live Oak Cemetery on Dallas Avenue to put flags next to their head stones Saturday morning.

“It’s an honor and privilege to do this in memory of those who gave their life,” post Commander of Post 3016 Reverend Hill said.

“It’s also a time to appreciate those that are alive and currently serving across the world.”