We have elections coming up very soon in Alabama and Georgia. Georgia voters will be going to the polls this coming Tuesday and their neighbors in Alabama won’t be too far behind, having their say in a primary election on Tuesday, June 5.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to be a good citizen, make the effort to understand the issues and by all means vote. It’s one of our most precious freedoms. The brave soldiers we will be remembering on Memorial Day died for Americans to have that privilege. The best way we can honor their sacrifice is to practice the freedoms they wanted us to have, one of the most important being the right to vote.

Good citizenship also means being involved in the process. Go to political forums, meet the candidates and listen to what they have to say. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and to keep the candidates on their toes.

In the simplest terms, a candidate for office is someone applying for a job. They deserve some respect for stepping forward and trying to lead. Let them know you appreciate that but make them earn your vote. If you’re hiring someone, you want the best person possible for the job that’s to be performed. It’s the same way in an election. Get involved in the process, meet the candidates and give them the chance to convince you they are the best man (or woman) for the job.

Georgia friends, please vote on Tuesday, and Alabama friends mark Tuesday, June 5 as a day you can do something to make our veterans proud. Be a good citizen. Go and vote.