By Carol Fisher Linn
“We do not know one promise these men made, one pledge they gave, one word they spoke; but we do know they summed up and perfected, by one supreme act, the highest virtues of men and citizens. For love of country, they accepted death, and thus resolved all doubts, and made immortal their patriotism and their virtue.”
– James A. Garfield, May 30, 1868, Arlington National Cemetery
On this Memorial Day, before the festivities begin, I invite you to read those words once again and stop to reflect upon the military in your family or in your community who measured up to those words. Go ahead … I’ll wait.
Memorial Day – the day we honor those who gave all. Was it a parent? A grandparent, uncle, aunt, best pal, cousin, neighbor, or the kid down the block? Stop for a moment and say thank you. Thank you for being scared and going in anyway. Thank you for thinking of us safe at home while you were hunched in a cold, wet, stinking trench. Thank you for dodging bullets when you’d wished to be dodging a fast ball. Thank you for sending hopeful letters home when you knew in your heart there was none. Thank you for your courage under fire, your bravery despite your terror, your faith in your comrades, your country, and your cause. And finally, thank you for shedding your blood on foreign soil with no beloved family to hold your hand and bid you a loving goodbye. We pray someone held your hand and heard your last words, even if it was a stranger. Imagine your own loved one or special someone a world away, lying in a muddy field, calling your name – alone, frightened, dying. Give that a moment to sink in.
That is why we take this day to honor those who never came home or came home damaged. From the soldiers of the Civil War to those who perished in all the wars we continue to fight to this day, their beloved names are on a grave marker or wall, and eternally engraved in their loved one’s hearts. And please remember those who perished in training accidents and suicide. (Since the War on Terror in 2001, America has lost more service members to training accidents and suicide than combat with the enemy.) Whether a service member dies in combat, in training for it, from illness or by suicide (average 22 per day) due to invisible wounds while serving this country, the loss is the same. https://veteranwarrioroutreach.org/crisis/veteran-suicide-statistics/how-many-veterans-commit-suicide-a-day
It is truly a solemn time – a day of heart-heavy remembrance. It is a time of acknowledging our debt. Our freedom came at a cost – their lives. There is none greater.
Before the fun begins, attend your local commemoration – every town has one. Rest assured, if you go into any town by 10-10:30am on Memorial Day you will be there in time for the speeches, the school bands, the prayers, 21 gun-salutes and the memorials.
If you can’t attend a local remembrance, there are things you can do to honor our fallen heroes.
- Watch the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS Sunday, May 28 at 8pm.
- Remember to pause for the National Moment of Remembrance that takes place at 3pm Memorial Day, local time.
- Wear a poppy. Find a U-Tube showing how to make your own. Poppies, a symbol of death in war, have been worn on Memorial Day since 1915 to remember the Fallen. This movement was inspired by the well-known poem by a Canadian military doctor, “In Flanders Fields.”
- Watch the National Memorial Day parade in our nation’s capital. It was created to remind us of the true importance of Memorial Day – honoring our fallen heroes. Aside from seeing the parade, you will hear personal stories of those whose loved ones lost their lives – reminding us of the dear price they paid for us. Watch the parade streaming LIVE at the American Veterans Center’s YouTube and FB page.
- Remember Gold Star parents, siblings and others who grieve. A visit, note, or simple prayer means a lot. Donate to local cemeteries for flags or flowers or go plant your own.
- Fly your flag at half-mast until noon only, then raise it briskly to the top of the staff until sunset.
- Talk to your kids about Memorial Day. Several recommended books are “The Wall” by Eve Bunting (ages 4-8) or “Twenty-One Steps Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier” by Jeff Gottesfeld. There are read aloud books on UTube – type in ‘Memorial Day books.’ Do a poppy craft activity.
- Finally, let the holiday fun begin. Here are some creative Memorial Day recipes:https://www.pinterest.com/awhoinwhoville/patriotic-treats/
May your Memorial Day be filled with gratitude as you enjoy the long holiday weekend with friends and family. “Greater love has no man than that he give his life for his friend.” – Jesus