To many, Memorial Day means the smell of hamburgers on the grill, warm weather and enjoying time with family.

However, for many more Americans, this past Memorial Day did not bring these pleasantries. Many men and women are fighting for our country’s rights overseas.

While fighting for our rights, these soldiers, sailors and Marines do not get the opportunity to enjoy some poolside fun with family members.

Memorial Day was created to be a day of remembrance for those soldiers who have given their lives for our freedom.

However, I feel that many of the people who are able to go about their everyday lives forget this.

Making this holiday a day of fun in the sun may make people forget the real reason for the day off from work.

I am not saying that time should not be spent with families on holidays.

I am saying that during that family time, at some point, the subject of what these men and women are doing for our beloved America should come about in a talking point or a reflective moment.

I have a cousin who just left his wife and three children to go fight for what he believes in most, his country.

The soldiers who are overseas risking their lives believe in America’s citizens, America’s freedom and American citizens’ safety so much that they are willing to leave family members behind at the risk of children growing up without a mother or a father, a wife or husband being widowed, or other loved ones feeling lost.

For something to have such an impact on a country’s people and for people to believe in America’s freedom so much that they will risk their lives means that we can take five minutes out of one day to stop and think or talk about what these men and women are doing for our sake.

Memorial Day should mean thinking of those who have died for our country and those who are willing to die for our country.

It should mean reflecting on how lucky each one of us is to be able to go about everyday life without worrying about our lives being at stake.

Although this holiday can, and probably should, be spent with family members, every American citizen should take notice that many soldiers, Marines and members of the Navy, are not with us right now-either because they gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, or they are overseas willing to give the ultimate sacrifice.

Memorial Day should be about coming together as a country and remembering why we are able to come together as a country.

So I say thank you to our overseas troops and to those who have already given their lives for what they believe in most.

Thank you for letting us who are still here living our lives be able to live without fear.

Melissa Sturtevant is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or at DENopinions@gmail.com.