For many Monday was a day off work, a time to spend with family on the lake or cooking out. However, it is important to remember the real reason why we observe Memorial Day.

Congressman Mike Rogers recently issued a statement in honor of our service men and women as we will remembered them on Memorial Day. It says:

“Memorial Day serves as a day of remembrance for the fallen brave men and women who have served our country in uniform. Their ultimate sacrifice helped guarantee the freedoms we enjoy today. We should honor them every day for the sacrifices they have made, and continue to pray for our troops and their families. God Bless America and our brave military.”

Since the Revolutionary War, more than 1.3-million men and women have sacrificed their lives to defend the United States.

That includes more than 6-thousand 500 who died while fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2002.