craigdailypress.com

Perhaps the busiest weekend of the year is now upon Craig and Moffat County.

Almost 140 students will put to rest four years of work and take the next step in their young lives during today's Moffat County High School graduation ceremony.

To those graduates, the Editorial Board says congratulations.

While graduation is going on, a myriad of activities and events will be taking place as part of the 19th annual Grand Olde West Days celebration.

To organizers who volunteered their time to offer GOWD to the community, the board says thank you. And to residents, we say enjoy.

But, quietly lost in the shuffle of this holiday weekend, a weekend for family pride in our students and family fun through GOWD, is the primary reason for the holiday itself, Memorial Day.

At 11 a.m. Monday, three local veterans groups will participate in a memorial service at Craig Cemetery.

The service includes the reading of more than 500 names, all of whom were local veterans who served their country and passed on. And, if you miss the memorial service in Craig, there is another at 3 p.m. in Maybell.

To veterans of the past and present, as well as to those hosting Monday's events, the Editorial Board says bless you.

Everyone else in the community should do the same.

The Editorial Board implores community residents to do just as Bill Harding, Moffat County's Veterans Service Officer, suggested to the community Friday morning.

Take one hour out of your weekend, Harding said, an hour away from the tractor pulls, face paintings, corn dogs, the carnival, the backyard barbecues, the graduation lunches and dinners with your children or family members, just one hour, and pay your respect to veterans.

One hour of your time, an hour out of a long weekend, no less, is a small price to pay for giving veterans their due respect, and properly remembering that Memorial Day is more than just a day off from work.