The true meaning of the national holiday, to honor men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Military, was on its way toward becoming a tiny footnote among our shopping, grilling and domino-slapping celebrations.

At the end of the Civil War, the nation had lost more lives than in any conflict in U.S. history.

We’re currently at a place with more that double the people we lost in that war are currently battling the virus.

Death is final and it affects us all.

But whereas Memorial Day was originated to honor servicemembers only, I propose we expand the language of the holiday to recognize all U.S. citizens who have perished, whether in conflict or as a non-combatant of the COVID-19 War.