This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and there’s a good chance you and your family are planning some recreational kickoff activity.

Memorial Day weekend is a big time for cookouts, for visits to theme parks, for trips to the beach and for family gatherings. But, more than that, it is a time for Americans to remember the price of the freedom they enjoy.

We who benefit from the ultimate sacrifice made through the years by so many thousands of brave Americans owe them more than a carefree day in front of a grill or at the beach.

Western Tidewater is fortunate to have a variety of Memorial Day observances where residents can honor those sacrifices.

The Town of Newsoms will observe the date at 3 p.m. today in the Hollywood Cemetery. The Rev. Armand Jalbert will be the guest speaker, and music will be provided by soloists Naoko Jalbert and Linda Drake.

The Village of Drewryville gather at the Drewryville Cemetery at 3 p.m. on Monday, with Capron United Methodist Church associate pastor David Everett leading the ceremony.

The Town of Capron will gather at the town cemetery at 11 a.m. on Sunday for a service featuring guest speaker Donnie Baines.

The Southview Cemetery in Franklin hold a service at 10 a.m., with Rev. Kenneth Hawthorne leading the proceedings.

With Woman’s Club of Windsor will hold its annual “Moment of Remembrance” at 3 p.m. in the Windsor Cemetery, where Rev. Basil Ballard, retired Army chaplain, will share remarks.

The Veterans Foreign War Post 4411 will celebrate the holiday at noon at 3385 Beaver Dam Road in Franklin. Sgt. Jayton Patterson will honor those who have given their all to keep our country free.

And lastly, the Charles R. Younts American Legion Post 733 will sponsor a service at the Poplar Springs Cemetery at 1 p.m. Guest speaker will be Michelle Thornton, district captain with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary of Hampton Roads.

This weekend, take a few moments to offer a prayer for the families of America’s fallen heroes and for our great nation. Spend an hour or so at one of Western Tidewater’s Memorial Day observances. If you know a war widow (or widower), call and say, “Thank you,” for the sacrifice they also made. Write a note of thanks to a veteran.

In short, pause this weekend amidst your recreational activities and be thankful and mindful of those who helped ensure America’s freedom and strength. Your brief commitment of time is a small sacrifice, compared to that of the men and women this day was designed to honor.