Perhaps it's reading more into it than the situation warrants, but somehow this Memorial Day seems more reflective than usual of its solemn origins.

The long weekend is in our national calendar the semiofficial start of summer, the running of that American institution, the Indianapolis 500, the first real vacation travel weekend and in large parts of the country one of the most beautiful times of year.

It says nothing about us other than we're human that in times of sustained peace the actual purpose of Memorial Day, honoring the nation's war dead, has faced competing priorities.

But we are now in the fifth year of the war in Iraq and though the casualties are nothing like those of some previous conflicts, they keep coming, over 3,400 at the start of last week.

Almost 10 percent of them are buried under simple white markers in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, in a sense the first real memorial to the dead from Iraq and Afghanistan.

There, the president marks the day by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. But this war has no unknowns. It did, however, have its forgottens as we were painfully reminded by revelations of seedy living conditions, bureaucratic runarounds and endless waits endured by wounded veterans at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The dead are not war's only victims.

The young men and women, regulars, reservists and guards, have fought this war dutifully, uncomplainingly and with civilized restraint. They are all volunteers and ask nothing of us other than they be remembered. It's little enough to ask.

Originally, the custom of decorating military graves began after the Civil War. After World War I, what was known as Decoration Day was expanded to include all the nation's war dead. This is the 40th anniversary of the holiday being officially declared Memorial Day.

Enjoy the day but do remember those we honor.

Memorial Day events

Westlake Village: The memorial begins at 11 a.m. at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park, 5600 Lindero Canyon Road. A wreath will be presented to the Melia family in memory of U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Anthony Melia, who was killed in Iraq.

Ventura: Assemblyman Pedro Nava will deliver the keynote addresses at Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, 5400 Valentine Road. The program begins at 10:45 a.m. and includes a flag-raising ceremony.

Ojai: Past and present military men and women will share stories during a program that begins at noon Monday in Libbey Bowl. More than 400 posters of Ojai Valley veterans will create a "Wall of Remembrance."

Moorpark: Memorial Day observance begins at 8 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial, corner of Moorpark and Los Angeles avenues. It continues at 10 a.m. at the Veterans' Memorial Grove in Poindexter Park, 500 Poindexter Ave.

Oxnard: A Memorial Day observance begins 10 a.m. at American Legion Post 48, 2639 Wagon Wheel Road. Speakers include Lt. Cmdr. James Watts, USN, Oxnard Mayor Tom Holden.

Simi Valley: The observance begins 10 a.m. at Simi Valley Pioneer Cemetary, 1461 Thompson Road. Wreaths will be placed in memory of all veterans.

Santa Paula: Monday's observance begins at 10:30 a.m. at Santa Paula Cemetary, Grand Army of the Republic Monument, 380 Cemetary Road. Speaker will be Albino Pineda, a decorated World War II veteran.

Bardsdale: A ceremony begins 11 a.m. at the Bardsdale Cemetary, 1698 S. Sespe Ave. The traditional placing of the wreath will be by Gold Star wife Marie J. Schilling.