Is it ever really too early to remember those who deserve remembering? Is it ever too early to offer thanks to those who performed the ultimate thankless act? Is it ever too early to honor those we annually honor each Memorial Day?

Over the coming days, events in and around the country will be held to honor those who have fallen in defense of our nation, those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.

At those memorials, towns large and small will read from a list or display prominently the list of those favored sons and daughters who have died in the service for their country. Local veterans will attend and offer salutes, while Taps and the National Anthem are played.

It is these veterans whose friends are among those that will be read or displayed. It is their friends and colleagues who are often immortalized in monuments throughout our country.

While we do mark this day as the start of summer and, for some, a well-deserved day off, it is this day that is among the most solemn of days for our veterans.

For these veterans, whose friends died in a far-off battlefield, Memorial Day is something they live each and every day. It is these veterans who try to live their lives in a manner to honor their friends who did not return home.

While it is important we take the day to remember those who defended our country with the ultimate sacrifice, it is also a time to remember those that live with the loss and sacrifice each and every day.

It is these veterans who carry the burden every day.

Is it too much to ask that we join these and help lighten the burden? Is it too much to ask that we join them Monday in honoring their friends, their colleagues and our heroes?