Remembering heroes

In the USA, we use Memorial Day as an excuse to take an extra day off work.  That's not what it is supposed to be for.  But either way, why do we have to wait until Memorial day?
     I suppose I appreciate Memorial Day as an excuse for a long weekend, a reason to remember friends and family who have passed on, veterans or not, and most importantly, a tribute to the nation's fallen.  It is sad that we need to proclaim a holiday to prompt folks to remember their friends and family, and even  more sad that we should need a long weekend to remember and appreciate our brave Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guard, and Marines, but it really seems like, as a group, we do.  I suppose we are all just too doggone busy to think of those who gave their lives so that we could enjoy our freedom, get fatter and lazier, and argue about politics without fear of government reprisal.
      Memorial Day was officially proclaimed in 1868 by General John Logan, and by 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states as a way of honoring Civil War fallen.  By early in the 1900's we celebrated Memorial Day as a national holiday for all of our nation's fallen. Great idea, they deserve our respect and remembrance every day that we live free in this great country.  Somehow along the way, most folks have added Memorial Day as a excuse to visit graves of family members, whether they were fallen soldiers or not.   Nothing wrong with that in my book, the people who made you what you are deserve your recognition and remembrance too. 
      C'mon Kids, the people in Indy ruined race weekend a couple decades ago when their greed forced a split in Indy  Racing  and all the best drivers quit coming to Indy.  It will never be the same again, no matter how they fix it.  The magic is gone forever. Of course, it is nice to have a 3 day weekend, maybe cook out, imbibe in you favorite beverage, hang out with friends and family. Just try to remember the event you are enjoying was sponsored, so to speak.  Think of our fallen as you would the sponsor on your favorite Nascar team.  Just as you would support the sponsor of your favorite race team, pay the respect due our nation's fallen.  I hate poetry, it is usually too snooty for me, but this one from 1915 says it all. 
We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.