Memorial Day weekend conjures up so many pleasant memories each year.

Anticipation of the first big weekend of the summer, family reunions, gatherings in recreation areas and great barbecues in the backyard make for pleasant anticipation for the entire month.

Families and friends gather to catch up on events and to see how much the children have grown. All in all it is a wonderful interval in busy lives. However, there is another aspect to the weekend and, interestingly enough, it began in our great State of Mississippi.

As the story goes, while bringing flowers to decorate the graves of their fallen heroes following the Civil War, ladies in Mississippi began to also honor the Union soldiers buried in their cemetery. How great the grace in the hearts of these women to find the bravery to honor those soldiers perceived as the enemy. From this brave and graceful legacy we gather each year to honor our fallen heroes at local National Shrines.

Natchez is honored to have a National Shrine in the presence of Natchez National Cemetery. Constructed in the second group of Civil War cemeteries established by President Lincoln and the Congress, it serves as a final resting place for our nation’s veterans where they remain cared for in a serene and peaceful setting. No less than Arlington, Natchez National Cemetery is a national shrine and a place of honor. The Department of the Army administers and cares for Arlington and the cemetery of the soldiers home.

The National Cemetery Administration cares for Natchez National Cemetery and 124 other National Cemeteries. Any veteran is eligible to rest in peace in the beautiful cemetery on the banks of the Mississippi as long as he has performed honorable service. While walking the gently curving hills you will see almost 4,000 unknown soldiers from the Civil War lying in peace beside soldiers of the Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq and all eras in between.

On Monday we will honor our fathers, sons, brothers, husbands, mothers, daughters and sisters who have carried our nation’s colors as a soldier, marine, airman, sailor or coasty. A walking parade will begin in Vidalia, march across the bridge and proceed through Natchez to the National Cemetery.

The program will begin at noon at the Natchez Convention Center. The program is not at the National Cemetery this year because of the new construction, which will provide our veterans and their spouses with burial sites for many years.

Natchez National Cemetery and Biloxi National Cemetery are the only National cemeteries in the state of Mississippi where veterans may be interred at the present time. Memorial Day is a time when we honor our fallen heroes. It doesn’t seem like much to ask on their behalf that we spend an hour in thought about what these men and women have given to us. Our freedom, our safety and the opportunity to go where we wish and do what we wish are all our benefits because a veteran made the choice to serve his fellow man.

It’s time to show them we appreciate their sacrifice and to celebrate their life. Members of the Miss-Lou veteran community have met for the past few months planning the program and the National Cemetery staff has coordinated efforts to make this a meaningful program for everyone.

I hope to see you there.

Sharon Goodrich is a Natchez resident.