As we observe two important dates in May, it should be a time for everyone to reflect on the lives lost in all of America’s wars.

The first date, May 29, is when we dedicate the long overdue World War II Memorial in Washington,D.C., to all the service men and women who served.

The second is May 31, if you need to be reminded, albeit most of the country is more concerned about rising gas prices and how they’re going to affect their vacations.

As a veteran, I am disturbed by the lack of remembrance of our past fighting men. World War I: Past history. World War II: Most kids don’t even know about it. Korea: Same. Vietnam: Still living with the stigma that we lost, but no mention of the more than 50,000 of our young people who died.

There are thousands of heroes spanning many wars, but to name just a few of mine, they are: Paul Tibbetts, Chuck Sweeney, WWII veterans; John McCain, Paul Peterson, Vietnam War veterans; Pat Tillman, Afghanistan; and the soldiers from Maine who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Frank D. Slason

Somerville