Memorial Day, originally known as “Decoration Day” when it was established in 1868, was set in late May “because flowers would be in bloom all over the country” to decorate the graves of America’s war dead. After World War I, the day’s significance was changed: It would honor not only the Civil War dead, but all those who died in all American wars.

The nation’s war dead often lost their lives trying to save their comrades in arms on the battlefield. This is one among many reasons that surviving veterans’ lives should be prized so highly. Sadly, although we honor them when they are dead, many are not being properly honored during their lives.