But Memorial Day is to honor those who rode in those vehicles and marched beside them

Today, many McHenry residents will light up the barby, throw various types of meat on the grill, and commiserate with friends and family while taking the day off from work for Memorial Day. But the day is not about barbequing; it’s about taking a moment to reflect on the commitments of those who serve today, and those who have served in the past.

Of those who have served, many have paid the ultimate price in defense of our liberties. Others have paid other prices that have left scars both physical and emotional. Even those who have come through the trauma of fighting in defense of our nation, have made incredible sacrifices on our behalf.

In the time of the first Memorial Day, May 30, 1868, our soldiers relied on horses, mules, oxen, and carts drawn by those animals, or their own feet to march into battle. Since WWI and before, though those horses and mules have continued to play diminishing roles, motorized vehicles have taken on increasingly important parts in the defense of the nation.

Some of the vehicles used by the US Army, US Marine Corps, US Navy, US Air Force and US Coast Guard, have achieved iconic status in our country. One prime example is the jeep, which was produced by Willys. Variations of WWII jeeps are sold every day in America even now (and are known for their high resale value).

The first vehicles used by the U.S. military include the 1915 GMC model 15, three-quarter-ton truck. These were used by Gen. John Pershing and his forces as pursued Pancho Villa who would come over the border from Mexico to conduct raids against U.S. citizens in the Southwest.

Trucks were used widely in the First World War to move troops to and from the trenches of Western Europe. They also served as ambulances to bring troops to field hospitals and to bring those who paid the full measure for their country back from the front lines so for eventual burial.

The jeep was a mainstay of all branches of the service through WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam. They were light, maneuverable and maintained with relative ease. They served as command cars, transportation for officers and even for reconnaissance.

Today, though there are, and have been, many other vehicles that have served the military along the way, the role of the jeep has largely been taken over by the Humvee.

It’s interesting to consider the vital role vehicles have played in our defense. But it’s important to remember those were real people riding in those vehicles and marching beside them. And those are the people we remember today while driving to and from Memorial Day events, and every other day of the year.