Clearly, any attempt at such a thank you would fall far short. But still we must try. And that is, in part, what Memorial Day is about.

Memorial Day holds special meaning for so many people. It is an opportunity for those among us who have not served in the armed forces to express our gratitude to those who did and, especially, to those who gave their lives. Obviously, war takes a heavy toll on many who serve, and Memorial Day is a time to try to understand, to realize that, yes, war is hell and war can leave scars far deeper than even soldiers truly realize.

For veterans, Memorial Day is a time to remember fallen comrades. And many times those memories are painful. But isn’t it true that through remembering we can begin to get a better handle on the past.

And so, as we head to our cemeteries this weekend, taking flowers and our memories of our loved ones now gone, it also seems appropriate to say a silent thank you to our nation’s veterans, whose graves are decorated with small American flags.

And while our utterances won’t be adequate, our thank yous need to be said. And they need to be said often.