I will do something Monday I haven’t always done to commemorate a certain national holiday.

Memorial Day is upon us. It’s a time when Americans honor the memories of those who’ve fallen in battle. We go to cemeteries to lay flowers on veterans’ graves, even for those who came home, got on with their lives and then died of what we call “natural causes.”

I probably won’t do that.

No, instead I’ll visit the Texas Panhandle War Memorial. I might not attend whatever public ceremony that’s planned. I feel compelled instead to go just to look at the names on the stone tablets that encircle the memorial.

Every single name identifies a hero going back to the Spanish-American War 1898. They all called the Texas Panhandle home before they donned their uniform and answered the nation’s call to arms.

Allow me this brief point of personal privilege.

I had a small hand in developing the memorial, for which I am immensely proud. Pete Garcia, a friend here in Amarillo, used to run the Vets Center. He was tasked with coming up with putting together narratives that summarized each of the conflicts memorialized at the Panhandle War Memorial, next to the Randall County Courthouse Annex at I-27 and South Georgia Street. Pete asked me to take part. So I did, writing several of the narratives along with two other gentlemen.

I regret that I haven’t visited the war memorial as often as I should have since its dedication.

Tomorrow is a new day and I think it’s a good time to turn over a new leaf. I would encourage everyone to do so as well.

Look at the names on those tablets. You’ll see stars next to a small number of names. They identify Medal of Honor recipients. Our nation has honored their heroism officially by bestowing our highest military honor.

The other names at the memorial? Think of the families who grieved when they learned of their loved ones’ deaths. Think of how they coped with such grievous heartache. And think of the valor that each warrior possessed as they fought for our nation.

Every single name represents a hero. Each of them deserves our eternal gratitude.