Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live-inspired Monday Morning Moments Memorial Day

celebration with John O'Leary.

Here, men endured that a nation might live.

It's a quote by Herbert Hoover.

And although all of us will enjoy celebrating the Federal Holiday Memorial Day today,

many of us may not know the origin story behind it.

Understanding that origin story reminds us not only

of the profound sacrifices others made for our country in the past, but also might stoke within us

a greater gratitude for the blessings we have today in the present. So here's the story. Memorial Day

began in 1868 with the General of the Grand Army of the Republic

ordering one day set aside to remember the unimaginable sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.

Specifically, it sought to honor the more than 600,000 soldiers who died for their country.

So on May 30th, 1868 volunteers in Arlington National Cemetery went around and placed

flowers at the grave sites where thousands were buried during the Civil War.

154 years later, that's today, that tradition continues with graves in Arlington and around the country being adorned with flags and with flowers.

Although intended to honor the dead, Memorial Day also serves as a challenge for the living to continue that fight.

This day demands we not take our lives or our freedoms

or our nation for granted. It is not just a day to barbecue or toss candy at a parade. It's not

merely a day to usher in the opening of pools around the country or as a day that serves as a signpost that schools have

ended the session and summer is beginning. What made all of those beloved rhythms and rituals

possible was the incredible, the selfless service of generations of soldiers who sacrificed everything

of their lives for ours. It is a fight

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