By Valarie Schwartz
When we remember that “kicked in the stomach†feeling of Sept. 11, 2001, we need to also remember something we didn’t personally experience — the reason we have a holiday coming up on Monday.
Memorial Day was started as our country strained to find measures for reconciliation following the “War Between the States,†which had torn us apart. The 3,000 lives lost on 9/11 pale in comparison to what we did to ourselves over four horrible years, ending in 1865.
Somewhere between 618,000 and 700,000 Americans died during the Civil War. No state lost more than North Carolina, with an estimated 20,602. 
The idea behind Memorial Day, officially begun in 1868, was to place flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Of course the South, still stinging from its defeat, chose other days and ways to honor its dead until after World War I, when it joined the rest of the nation to honor Americans killed in any war.
All of the wars in which we’ve fought since the Civil War combined do not total the losses in that one.
Most of us will spend the holiday weekend with family and friends, in pools and boats, at lakes and beaches, grilling our food and skin as we begin to mellow into the lazy hazy days of summer.
But the VFW and American Legion veterans of our local posts have joined forces, as it were, to provide us ways to remember the veterans who died in battle.
At 5 p.m. Friday, they will carpet the Chapel Hill Cemetery with over 500 flags, as they launch a three-day weekend of commemoration to the veterans of war.
At 8 a.m. Saturday, veterans will commence a memorial ceremony at the cemetery with the playing of “Taps.â€
Throughout the weekend, veterans will watch over the gravesites and assist visitors. An Open House will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday at the American Legion Post, with another ceremony beginning at 11 a.m., where Capt. Ted Triebel, U.S. Navy (Retired) will speak. Capt. Triebel flew F4 Phantom jets over North Vietnam before he was shot down and captured, spending the remainder of the war in a prisoner of war camp.
Throughout the day, historical displays that include World War II-, Korea- and Vietnam-era vehicles and a helicopter will be available as well as uniform items from the Women Veterans Historical Collection at UNC-Greensboro.
Additionally, veterans and civic groups will be on hand to offer information about their organizations and the part they played in our history.
The veterans hope that the displays will provide a bridge between our history and the soldiers, sailors and airmen serving overseas today.
“There are a lot of local families who have family serving now or who have served recently,†said Lee Heavlin, VFW post commander. “This is for them. We recognize and appreciate their service. We have gathered veterans groups, the North Carolina Veterans Affairs and local volunteer groups to help us say ‘thank you.’â€
Admission is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided. American Legion Post 6 is located at 1700 Legion Post Rd. Call 942-2252.