The third-grade students in Pam Mains’ writing classes at Ironton Elementary wrote about Memorial Day and shared their thoughts about why we should honor our veterans.

Memorial Day is special to me because my uncle is in the U.S. Air Force, and he gives his life so we will be safe. Many others give their lives, too. The best part is how Memorial Day got started. This is how Memorial Day got started. This holiday started back in the year 1865 by liberated slaves. The slaves first buried the Union soldiers together in a big grave, and then they put them in separate graves and they made a graveyard. The is how Memorial Day got started, and why it is important.

— Maddie Wallace

Memorial Day is special to me because the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and the Marines work so hard to keep us safe. It all started in 1865 when the North won the Civil War and freed all the slaves. The slaves were so grateful they went and buried the soldiers. They came back one year later and decorated the graves.

— Savannah Stidham

Memorial Day is special to me because all the people in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines try to keep all of us safe. I’m glad they do that for us. If you go to church, pray for the people who died, and for those that are in it now. I know that they would die to keep us safe.

— Rachel Halterman

Memorial Day is special to me because I care about the soldiers. They did a great job! My grandpa, Arthur “Junie” Pierson, is the Grand Marshal. He helped with the parade every time and he did a great job. So when you see him, give him a big hand! He helped set up the flags — four hundred of them! It took two or three hours. I love my grandpa and the soldiers.

— Mackenzie Fields

Memorial Day is special to me because the soldiers made our country so safe. We are not scared to walk out the door. When the jets come over my head, it makes me sad. When they come over my head, it just makes me cry, cry, cry. You should be very glad for our U.S. Army and Air Force.

— Brycen Thomas

Memorial Day is special to me because the men and women join the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to let us live. They let us survive on Earth to eat and drink. I am going to join the Marines when I grow up and help our country.

— Jacob Short

Memorial Day is special to me because we have a lot of people that care for this country and make it free. At the Memorial Day parade I like when those boys do the sword dance. I like when the Army people shoot the guns. I love Memorial Day because people give their lives for us.

— Chelsey Smith

Memorial Day is special to me because they made our country free. We honor the soldiers who got killed. That’s why we honor them with Memorial Day.

— Hunter Kinstler

Memorial Day is special to me because you can see people that protect us, like the veterans who fight for us to keep us safe. My grandpa fought in WWII. I never got to meet him, but since he tried to protect us, he was probably a very good man. Some veterans lose arms and legs, and some even die for us to protect us.

Now I know why we celebrate Memorial Day. It’s not just to have fun, but to honor the people who protect us. I can’t wait for Memorial Day so I can honor all those people who protect us. It is sad to hear about people dying for us, but they want us to be safe so we can live long lives. Maybe you might join the Marines, Air Force, Army, or the Navy. It would be a nice thing to do for people.

— Jazmine Hammond

Memorial Day is special to me because it reminds us about the soldiers and what they have done for us. It reminds us about the people that served in the U. S. Army and died in the Army to protect us and keep us safe. They protect us and honor our country and keep us safe. That’s why I honor our veterans, and that’s why Memorial Day is special to me.

— Jaxson Pleasant

Memorial Day is special to me because I think it is really good to honor people that help us live and have a great, thankful country. I am thankful to every veteran, including my Dad, who was in the Marines. When I go to cemeteries, I always get teary-eyed thinking of all those people who helped us live and kept us safe. I am thankful to honor all veterans in the Memorial Day parade, and with prayer.

— Ali White

Memorial Day is special to me because U.S. men and women fought for us, and some even died for us. I learned about–and liked–the part when the U.S. men and women who died in the Civil War got their individual graves. I honor our veterans because they fought for us, and kept the people who don’t like us back, so they wouldn’t kill us. I like going to the parade because the veterans are there. When they come by, I will honor them and clap for them!

— Tanner Bowles

Memorial Day is special to me because my uncle is fighting in the Marines. Also, my grandpa was in the Army. The veterans fight to keep us safe from terrorists. When people die in the military, it is so sad. Be thankful that the veterans fought for you, to keep you safe. Also, Memorial Day isn’t just for fun and parades. It’s for honoring our veterans. I can’t wait until Memorial Day to honor them and have fun!

— Alison Franz

Memorial Day is special to me because it is caring about the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. They have fought the people who are not on our side. They have saved us and have done whatever they could do. When you go to the Memorial Day parade and see the floats with the soldiers on them, don’t just ignore them. They have played a real big part in our lives.

— Lakyn McClain

Memorial Day is special to me because every day of our lives, soldiers lose their lives to keep us safe. Plus, we should honor the soldiers so they all know that all the millions of people in our country appreciate them.

When you see the Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marines, you should start clapping and get a bunch of people to start clapping, too! Sometimes you should take a few minutes out of you day to remember and pray for our soldiers. Remember, they’re saving our lives.

— Rachel Sanders