We were in Minneapolis today, and it seemed the perfect time, on this Memorial Day weekend, to show my children the sacrifice that so many have given for our country.

Our discussion took us on a drive through Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

We talked about many things as we drove through the cemetery–wars that people have fought in, people in our family who have served in the military, and the fact that each person whose grave is in the cemetery had a family who mourned their death.

We saw boulevards lined with flags, and loved ones visiting and decorating final resting places.  And by chance, of all the names in the cemetery, we noticed one particular stone that had more flowers and flags than most: that of Thomas Burnett, Jr., whose memorials we have seen in both Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Mall of America.

It was a time for reflection–what these men and women have given for our country, the many wars in which they served, and the sheer number of veterans buried in this, just one national cemetery.

Sometimes the most important outings aren’t those that are the most fun.  This is a journey that we could have made at any time, as we should always remember our heroes, but being able to do it on this Memorial Day weekend was very fitting.

If you’d like to pay your respects at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, please visit their Department of Veterans Affairs website for visiting information.  For special events occurring at Fort Snelling, and in other Minnesota communities, this weekend, please see the Star Tribune’s listing of Memorial Day events.

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