We should never forget the brave men and women who served in our military and sacrificed their lives so that our beloved country can remain a free nation.

Monday marks the 145th celebration of Memorial Day as we remember the more than 400,000 in World War II, more than 30,000 in Korea, more than 50,000 in Vietnam, and more than 6,500 in Iraq and Afghanistan that died.

Because of their ultimate sacrifice, we’re able to enjoy the freedoms that many people throughout the world are not afforded.

I’ve seen photographs of fallen U.S. soldiers and sailors on foreign land, and the horrible devastation associated with war. There were too many sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, and husbands and wives who never returned home to family and friends. That’s is the price of freedom.

And their memories live on in the hearts of family and friends.

I never served in the military, but I appreciate those who did. My father, uncles and other relatives fulfilled their military duty during their time.

My father was proud of the fact he served in the Army and Navy. After his two-year Army stint, he and one of my uncles joined the Navy. They served between the Korean and Vietnam War — thus not involved in war directly.

I can still see the picture of them together in his white Navy uniform. They were proud to have served.

I have friends who served in the Army, Navy and Marines. I’ve heard stories about the conditions and threats they faced sometimes on a daily basis.

One of my friend’s son — a Marine sniper — told me how he would go out into the Afghanistan desert for weeks with his spotter on an assigned mission. How they had to endure the heat, nature and avoid being discovered by the enemy. How one enemy soldier walked within several feet of him, camouflage in the desert bush and sand. A time when he was attacked by an enemy and suffered a knife wound in his back during the attack.

I am thankful they came back alive.

To those who died for our country, we owe a debt of gratitude for the preservation of freedom of our country against those whose who would want to take it away.

Memorial Day is not just a picnic in the park, but a time to reflect and be thankful for those who sacrificed for us and our nation.