A day for remembering forgotten heroes

It's been called The Forgotten War. But it won't be anymore - at least not in Carson City.

A memorial dedicated to the veterans who served in the Korean War will be dedicated in Riverview Park on Monday, featuring bricks engraved with the names of those who fought there.

But that's just the first step. The memorial will stand as a reminder, but it will be up to the rest of us to really remember, to appreciate their service.

Not only should we remember the Korean War vets, we should hold dear all of the men and women who have put our Democratic ideals into action.

Those who have fought in wars past to protect our freedom and those who are fighting today in Iraq, Afghanistan and all the corners of the Earth to spread the cause of freedom.

We need to show our appreciation to the veterans who served their country and have since returned to lead lives that quietly embody the principles they fought to defend.

We need to hold in reverence those who didn't return. Mourn with their loved ones and honor their memories.

And we need to never give up hope for the 88,000 troops the Department of Defense says are still official MIAs - servicemen and servicewomen who went missing in action during World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War, the Vietnam War and Desert Storm.

Although celebrating our freedom, and appreciating those who secured it for us, should be a regular practice, we sometimes take it for granted.

Let's not do that this Memorial Day. Let's remember what the day stands for. Let's remember our forgotten heroes.