"On May 5, 1868, General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, asked that America remember those lost in the Civil War by 'gather[ing] around their sacred remains' to 'garland the passionless mounds ... with choicest flowers' and 'raise above them the dear old flag they saved.' "

Since then, we have set aside one day each year to honor all those who have died in service to our country. Across the United States, military support groups, veterans associations, and patriots mount public tribute to those who served and sacrificed. By honoring our men and women in uniform with events like this, groups such as the American Veterans Center keep alive the memory of those who paid the ultimate price.

"Some wear a red poppy, in the spirit of the poet Moina Michael, who wrote that that flower "grows on fields where valor led." Others continue to adorn graves with flowers and candles. And each year, the soldiers of "The Old Guard" place small American flags at each Arlington National Cemetery gravestone and patrol around the clock during Memorial Day weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.

"At 3 p.m., your local time, on Monday, May 25, 2009, I would encourage you to join millions of your fellow Americans in a moment of silence to remember our fallen heroes.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served this country, especially those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we enjoy today. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates is only asking for a moment of your time on a day that has been set aside to remember those who have fallen in the line of duty. Is that too much to ask? Can America observe a moment of silence for those who put country before self?

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