Americans tend to have a short attention span. If an issue is not directly in front of them, demanding action, it tends to be overlooked. When the war in Iraq was going full strength, and we had lots of awesome video to watch, we were riveted to the screen. Now that the war has been declared over, we are riveted to American Idol.

This is not necessarily a bad thing, since we do need to move on. But it is not necessarily a good thing either - because it isn't finished yet. Our soldiers are still dying over there, the bombs are still exploding, and we must never, never forget what sacrifices are being made while we sit in our air conditioned living rooms and watch Rueben take home the prize. As we make our annual trek to the beach for picnics and parties, there are others facing the loss of loved ones.

War is, of course, a dangerous time for soldiers, but the quiet moments between large conflicts can be more dangerous. They not only still run the risk of being killed, they run the added risk of being forgotten.

We must never forget. Whether they wore the blue and gray of the Civil War, the khaki of WWI, the olive drab of WWII or the desert camos of Desert Storm, every fallen soldier is to be remembered, and cherished, and honored for the sacrifice made.

There will be Memorial Day Services in Evergreen and Dothan over this holiday. There will be solemn sermons in the churches. There should be more. We should all take time Monday for a moment of silence, a moment spent in prayer, a moment remembering the fallen.