(CNN) Six years ago on Memorial Day , I anchored a show on CNN, filling in for a colleague who had the day off. These were the recurring emotions of more than 20 veteran and active duty service members, spouses, parents, siblings and children CNN Home Front interviewed. The burden of these few men and women -- this is what's at the heart of Memorial Day as military-connected Americans experience it and the Memorial Day that most civilians will experience today. Less than half of 1% of Americans currently serve in the armed forces, and military service is a family business unlike any other. Many military families will be doing the very same thing.

Source: CNN May 31, 2021 12:04 UTC