It is Memorial Day weekend and it feels a bit like Good Friday emotionally. You know something really bad happened followed by something great. We should be proud that SC started what became Memorial Day in 1868, when South Carolinians in Charleston went to visit gravesites of those who died in the Civil War. The practice went on, and many of us have family who decorated graves coming out of that tradition. Our Federal Government made the Memorial Day Monday holiday official in 1971. It is intended to be a day to remember those who died so America could live. My namesake was one who died. Don Carter died on the shores of Korea. I remember him, even though I never knew him. I carry his legacy. So does my grandson. 1.1 million Americans have died in wars since our country was formed. Many Americans can tell the same story as I do. We need to honor those who died by remembering, and being grateful. They fought for democracy. They fought for freedom. Not "fighting" as politicians say they will "fight" today. They quietly and courageously sacrificed everything, up to their very lives, so that we could live in the greatest country in the history of Earth. I am proud to be an American, and I believe our greatest days are yet to come. Democracy allows us to vote. Find a good person to vote for. And be thankful you can vote, no matter how the election turns out.
By Don Louis · Published 2026-05-24