Douglas County marks Memorial Day roots

I'm a middle-aged man, meaning my DNA requires an obsession with history and family research.

The big picture: Monday is Memorial Day.

🇺🇸 One of my coolest ancestors is my seven-times-great-grandfather Nathaniel "Nathan" Brittain.

• He enlisted as an Army private in the 8th Virginia Regiment in March 1776 — about 11 months after the American Revolution began.
• Six of his brothers also served.

Zoom in: Nathaniel was sent to South Carolina, then moved through the South's stifling swamps and watched fellow soldiers get sick and die.

• He died too, in October 1776. He was 41 or 42 and had seven children.
• An Army historian told me Nathaniel likely died of dysentery.

🇺🇸 I put my flag out every morning and briefly think about Nathaniel's sacrifice — grateful his story is part of mine.

What to watch: Here are some Memorial Day events across Douglas County.

• 8am, Parker: Murph Challenge (one-mile run, 100 pullups, 200 pushups, 300 squats, another one-mile run). Register here.
• 10am, Castle Rock: Ceremony at Cedar Hill Cemetery
• 11am, Sedalia: Ceremony at Bear Canon Cemetery ceremony
• 11:45am, Highlands Ranch: Ceremony at Highlands Ranch Veterans Monument

My suggestion: Bear Canon Cemetery is more than 150 years old and is among the county's hidden gems.

Be a good neighbor: Do you know a veteran in need? Check this out.