To all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the country.

We and others across the nation on Monday will remember all the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.

We encourage people to take a break from their activities and attend one of the several Memorial Day ceremonies scheduled.

These people gave the ultimate sacrifice, and for that we say, thank you.

To a flag etiquette tradition in Glenville.

We applaud the American Legion veterans, educators and veterans service officer who took the time this week to teach Glenville-Emmons second-graders about patriotism and flag etiquette this week at Greenwood Cemetery.

The effort has taken place for 20 years.

This initiative helps students learn about appropriate behavior in a cemetery, respect for the American flag, the importance of the national anthem and the importance of veterans.

The students also placed flags on the graves of veterans throughout the cemetery.

We hope these lessons of patriotism will stick with the students into the future.

To the first Thursdays on Fountain.

A new concert series organized by the city and the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau took place Thursday in Fountain Lake Park.

Called Thursdays on Fountain, the events will take place every Thursday through Aug. 10. and will feature a different music act each week. Organizers have said more than 50 percent of performers will be local acts.

We encourage people to check out this event.

The event is being made possible through grants from Explore Minnesota and Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea.