While many residents will enjoy this Memorial Day with family and friends, we should also take time to remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us, which is what this holiday is all about after all. The fact that we have had such selfless people to defend the rights of American citizens is certainly good news, as were these events from the past week.

• The future of downtown Natchez now has a direction in the form of a 190-page master plan. The city officially adopted the downtown revitalization plan Tuesday. The work was organized by nonprofit FOR Natchez and created by consultant group The Walker Collaborative with input from all the citizens who collectively helped form the plan. Now, the city can, as Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell has said, take downtown Natchez to “another level.”
• Three Natchez schools had their graduations last week, including one that sent of its last-ever group of seniors. Trinity Episcopal Day School had its final graduation Thursday, while Natchez High and Cathedral schools had their ceremonies Friday. No matter what path these students decide to take after high school, we wish them the best of luck and are excited to see how they can make Natchez proud.
• The Natchez Festival of Music wrapped up another fun-filled year this weekend, capping off the month-long season of Sound Waves with the grand finale of the opera, “Faust.” Organizers said 2018 proved to be another successful year for the festival, and we thank all those who took part in making that success happen.

As we honor our fallen soldiers, let’s especially take time today to appreciate all the good that happens in our lives.