More interest in Memorial Day needed

With more military veterans dying in combat every year as this nation fights battles on two fronts, one would think the participation in Memorial Day observances would increase. But such is not the case in Parkersburg.

This year there appeared to be fewer than a hundred people viewing the memorial observance in City Park as tribute was paid to those who have given their lives in defense of the nation. And, the age of those both taking part and viewing the observance continues to grow older, with very few in the group appearing to be below the age of 50 or so.

Granted the small attendance could have been due to the nearly oppressive heat, even though there was a cooling breeze under the shade of the trees between the street and the walking path.

It's curious, though, why some of the younger veterans of the nation's latest wars in Iraq and Afghanistan did not appear to be in attendance at the Memorial Day observance in City Park. Maybe many of them were in attendance at other observances, maybe they don't want to be reminded of lost friends and brothers-in-arms or maybe they simply are concentrating on rebuilding their civilian lives after serving their country.

Whatever the case, Memorial Day will cease to be the fitting tribute in should be if veterans and families of veterans do not take more of an interest in preserving it.