For many, Memorial Day merely signifies the official start of summer, when the grills get smoking and boats get their first ride on the river over the three-day weekend.

Memorial Day, for others, however, is a much more somber occasion, in which the war dead are honored. It’s the day when the missing in action, killed in action are mourned.

Every year, the families of those who gave their lives in services, along with veterans and veterans’ families, attend the Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park in Washington.

Last year, those hosting the event implemented a roll call during the ceremony. The name of Beaufort County service members who were killed in action during wartime were read aloud—each honored and remembered for an individual moment. It didn’t matter which war: World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq, and many conflicts and interventions in between. All that matters is that person was from Beaufort County.

Juanita White, commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 48, continues her mission to find the names of those in Beaufort County killed in action.

As organizers did last year, they’re also looking for Gold Star families — the survivors of those killed in action.

“We want to recognize the families that gave their greatest gift, their loved ones, for our country’s freedom. The Gold Star Families live their lives with a tremendous hole in their hearts. So, please assist us in  finding the men and women who gave their all and the families that lost their all,” White wrote in an email.

This Memorial Day, take a moment to honor those who died in service to their country. Attend the ceremony. Until then, help DAV find those names who deserve our remembrance, find the families who deserve to know their loved ones’ sacrifices are remembered to this day.

For more information or submit a name, please contact Juanita White at 252-944-6614 or email sargwhite@hotmail.com.