ITH PROFOUND HISTORIC ROOTS, the American people devote the last Monday in May to remember the dead fallen in all wars in which this country has taken part, be it the Civil War or international wars. It is important to point out that this observance began in 1869 to honor those who died during the Civil War, Confederate and Union soldiers alike. This characteristic gave the date a national meaning. With time, the day was devoted to honor the American soldiers who died in battlefields all over the world where the United States contributed, and is still contributing, to defend the cause of freedom. Right now, U.S. troops are deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan fighting to help these countries on their path to democracy. Of course, this day should not be confused with Veteran’s Day, which is devoted to honor and show respect to the survivors of all those wars. Both are days inspired by patriotic sensibility and human justice.

The U.S. Armed Forces have always been within a democratic institutional line at the service of the republic, or of its states in the case of the National Guard. That is mostly why the American people see their armed forces, in which they participate in one way or another, as a worthy and admired institution.

On Memorial Day, which is an official holiday, emphasis should be placed on the need that there should not be extremes of disorderly conduct on a day that because of understandable human circumstances is used by many to party. Those disorders could be characterized –and in many cases this actually happens- by abuses contrary to the good norms of a civilized way of life that preclude drunkenness, other excesses, and the use of vehicles on the highways at speeds that cause deadly accidents which statisticians are able to predict. Of course, it should also be said that millions of families use this long weekend for joyful family reunions, which include official ceremonies and religious ones.

DIARIO LAS AMERICAS, once again, joins the nation in this commemoration of Memorial Day.