Until recently, I wasn’t sure of the difference between Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day. Thanks to my contact with the Veteran Services office at Colorado State University, I finally understand the difference.

We tend to normalize holidays and naturally wish someone a “happy” whatever-it-is day. We do this without remembering exactly why it has become a national holiday in the first place or with thought to whom it is for.

Like most people, I can imagine that we all knew (at some point) what the history of the three day weekend holiday meant. But after being caught up in the barbeques, camping, pool parties, and celebration of no work on Monday—the history got lost.

Memorial Day is not supposed to be a day of celebration. It is a day to mourn the fallen.

Veteran’s Day is the day to give thanks for all that have served, but the day set aside for somber remembrance of those that have died serving their country is Memorial Day.

It is a day to remember friends, family members, comrades and the like who have fallen in service for their country.

So today honor those troops who willingly placed their lives in harm’s way so the rest of us could enjoy the blessings of liberty. Display your American flag. Take time to remember our deceased veterans. Remember, honor, and thank them. Finally, say a prayer in thanks to God for these brave men and women who gave their all so we could enjoy our Memorial Day—and all of our days—in freedom.