As the long weekend approaches, we encourage you to make plans that honor the reason for the long weekend.

Memorial Day weekend might be hailed as the unofficial start of summer, but it should be more importantly known for its intended purpose — to honor the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving our country.

The weekend is often recognized with picnics and parades. Students accustomed to waking up on Monday mornings, perhaps sleep in for the occasion.

And while you and your family may enjoy participating in one or more of those summer activities this weekend, we encourage you to spend some time recognizing those who lost their lives for our country.

For instance, if you go to the Butler County Memorial Day parade or Saxonburg’s Memorial Day parade on Monday, May 27, stick around for the ceremonies that follow. Every child is likely excited by firetrucks and flags waving in the wind for the parades, but the ceremonies speak the purpose of the celebrations.

For those in the southern part of the county, ceremonies are planned in Cranberry Township’s annual Memorial Day remembrance ceremony is set at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial in North Boundary Park. Evans City at 2 p.m. Sunday also will bring back a traditional ceremony.

To the north, there’s opportunity to educate youngsters about the day, too. Services in Rimersburg are planned for Sunday and Monday. Chicora and Slippery Rock also will recognize Memorial Day with ceremonies Monday.

A complete list of details on these events will publish in the Thursday edition of the paper.

We hope as you make plans, you’ll consider attending a Memorial Day service and paying respect to lost veterans part of your weekend.

— TL