Paying honor

In Wallowa County, late May is a time of celebration and remembrance. Celebration as our youth graduate and move forward toward fulfilling lives. Remembrance of those who gave their lives so that these young people could fulfill their dreams. Though they may seem unrelated, the two are intimately intertwined.

We all know that without the freedom to choose our individual paths — the life, liberty and pursuit of happiness that Jefferson enshrined in the Declaration of Independence — our nation would be impoverished in spirit and innovation. Education is a major stepping-stone along this path.

Our June graduates are well on their way toward applying those three unalienable rights to a successful and productive future. Some will go on to college and perhaps graduate school. Others will hone their skills in less academic settings. Some will become doctors, nurses, computer coders, lawyers, veterinarians, and some will start businesses. Some will enter the armed services. Some will become skilled mechanics, firefighters, artists, pilots, or heavy equipment operators. Some will construct our fences, barns, houses and buildings.

We should be proud of each and every student, each and every graduate. They are on their way to a bright future of their own choosing, and one that America’s Founding Fathers sought to guarantee. We hope that they will stay here and continue to build our community. Or if not, that they will one day return.

But without the sacrifice of those we remember on Memorial Day, none of this would be possible. Memorial Day is an occasion that rose from our grass-roots tributes to soldiers who died in the Civil War. In the late years of the war, and after its end, Americans began spontaneously holding springtime services in towns and cemeteries across the nation to remember those who gave their lives for their cause. In 1971, Memorial Day — the last Monday of May — became an official U.S. holiday. Waterloo, New York has been recognized as the official place of origin. Their remembrance was first held as an official community-wide event on May 5, 1866, with businesses closed and services at local cemeteries.

This year, the Eagle Cap VFW Post 4307 and Wallowa Lake American Legion Post 157 will hold services at Wallowa County cemeteries, culminating in a 1 p.m. service at the County Courthouse that will remember 29 men and women who have served and who passed away this year, including military, EMT, and firefighters. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to them. We should all pause and pay them tribute, as well as to the many living veterans who have had their lives forever changed by their service.

Without the sacrifice of these men and women throughout our history, our graduates would not have the bright futures and the paths to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that Americans are assured today. Celebration and Remembrance. It’s a time for both.