During his speech Monday at the annual Memorial Day event at Memorial Stadium in Selma, Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard asked a question most had likely thought, but few asked.

As he looked out on the crowd, many wearing World War II, Korean or Vietnam veteran hats and apparel, he asked “who’s next.”

It’s a simple question, but hard to answer.

The crowd Monday was admittedly old, and is growing older each year.

There were few children in attendance and even fewer who displayed or made reference to the fact they were veterans of any of the Persian Gulf wars or the ongoing war in Afghanistan.

Each Memorial Day and Veterans Day, many realize the number of World War II and Korean War veterans who swelled the ranks of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War posts are dying off.

The work of the American Legion and the VFW, along with many other veteran-related organizations, is far too valuable to lose to the tick-tock of time.

The work they do — the missions they have taken on — is to continue instilling and developing the sense of pride and patriotism we have for our country, the core beliefs of being an American and honoring the men and women who help defend those beliefs and rights.

So we join Dallas County Probate Judge Kim Ballard is asking the very profound question of this Memorial Day; “Who’s next?”