Photo poll: How seriously do we take Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is Monday.

Press staff members went into the community Saturday to hear some thoughts about this somber holiday of remembrance to honor those who died while serving their country.

We asked: "How seriously do you think most Americans take Memorial Day?"

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“Unfortunately, I don’t think that they take it seriously for what it’s really about. I think it’s just turned into being about camping and a long weekend instead of honoring those that served our country and gave us the freedom to be able to go and do that camping.”

— Kate Overland, Hayden

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"For many Americans it's a three-day weekend when the weather is getting good. I think there is a core of people who respect it, but I think it’s also misunderstood. It’s sort of like Veterans Day, but it’s not. It’s supposed to be for those who gave their lives in battle, so I think the true meaning of it has kind of been blurred."

— Sue Givens, Hayden

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“I think they take it quite seriously, I believe it is a holiday that is highly respected. It’s gone past what was the original meaning of it, to honor the dead, where we now honor the living veterans also, which I think is appropriate.”

— Ron Lahner, Coeur d’Alene

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"I feel like they don’t take it that seriously. They just see it as a day off from school.”

— Mykah Kirking, 15, Coeur d’Alene

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“I think people take it more seriously, but the younger generations don’t really.”

— Abby Buzolich, 15, Coeur d’Alene

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“Most people don’t go, ‘Oh, it’s Memorial Day, I’m going to go to the cemetery and respect the fallen;' it’s just going camping. I do think Memorial Day should be taken more seriously. I’m sure some people you ask on the street don’t even know what Memorial Day is about. I guess my official answer is I think we should take it more seriously because most people don’t really know what it’s about."

— Bryant Wilson, Coeur d’Alene