"I studied the lives of great men and women, and I found that the men and women who got to the top were those who did the jobs they had in hand, with everything they had of energy and enthusiasm and hard work." -- Harry S. Truman

Alarm clocks went off this morning all across America signifying another workday. People left the warm cocoon of their beds and stumbled half asleep to the bathroom to splash water on their faces or made their way to the kitchen to begin brewing that first pot of coffee.

On May 29 many people will sleep in late because they have Memorial Day off. But it is not just another federal holiday. The very reason that we are able to get out of bed and go to a job in a democratic society is because men and women when asked by their country to serve made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives.

The "National Moment of Remembrance" will occur on May 29. All Americans are asked to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) and silently reflect on those who died in service to our nation. There are many different ways that the private sector can become involved in this effort.

Listed below are suggestions to help make your employees aware not only of the importance of Memorial Day, but also about the "National Moment of Remembrance."

• Send out a signed memorandum by the CEO of your business to all employees encouraging participation in the "National Moment of Remembrance."

• Add information about the "National Moment of Remembrance" to your business' newsletter.

• Add to speeches that are given by the CEO of your business at events leading up to and on Memorial Day.

• Add an informational message to remind people about the "National Moment of Remembrance" on the bottom of pay stubs.

• If your business has a web sight, link to the "National Moment of Remembrance" web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/remembrance/index.html.

• Display "National Moment of Remembrance" poster in the lobby of your office.

• Recognize employees who have lost loved ones in service to our country by creating a "Roll Call of Remembrance" web page. Employees can input their name, relationship to deceased, name of loved one, when they died, where they died and branch of service (other, i.e. foreign service).