As we say good bye to spring, we welcome in summer. Memorial Day always means the beginning of summer. It means graduation for both high school and college. It means vacation and it means summer jobs.

But Memorial Day means more than that. In 1868 it was established to recognize those who gave their lives for our country. Communities were to come together to decorate the graves of these heroes. The tradition continues with the placing of flags on these graves.

But sometimes if you were at the grave yard and noticed a coin on the headstone of these Veterans, this is what they meant. The placing of these coins on headstones dates back to the Roman Empire. If there is a penny it meant the grave was visited. If a nickel , they served with the Veterans at boot camp. If a dime it means they served together at some point and if a quarter the Veterans was with them when they died.

This year when visiting the cemetery take a pocket full of change and place a penny on all veterans graves you visit. This will communicate a message of respect to the family.

Continue to fly the flags and remember the red poppy is a symbol of Memorial Day.