This is the seasonal kick-off for Summer: Memorial Day! Some families love getting away for Memorial Day weekend and some love creating a “stay-cation” right at home. But do we know what Memorial Day is really all about?
After “googling” Memorial Day, I found on Wikipedia this definition:
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering and honoring people who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The holiday, which is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May, was most recently held on May 28, 2018. This year it is Monday, May 27, 2019. -Wikipedia
So, what does one do for Memorial Day? There is the ever popular Memorial Day weekend get away. Or, have the first barbecue of the season this weekend. Get out those hamburgers and hot dogs and have an awesome time grilling! But let’s remember what the holiday was created for. Remember the songs we used to sing in school: America the Beautiful:”God Shed His grace on thee”… The Star Spangled Banner: “Land of the free and home of the brave”. These all speak of sacrifice. And Memorial Day is kept in remembrance of those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may live in a land of freedom and freely experience the grace of God in the manner that is meaningful to each of us.
So, it is a time of remembrance. If you have a loved one in your family who was in the armed forces and died as a result of his or her service to their country, visit their grave site (if you can) and lay flowers in honor of their sacrifice. If visiting the actual fallen heroes is not possible, watch for community and/or church calendars for gatherings or services that will be in honor of those who gave their lives for their country. Speak with veterans and allow them to tell their stories about their fallen comrades and their own personal histories. It is excellent to have the children listen as well. Our children need to know what it takes to keep America a free country. Be sure to balance the heaviness of loss of life with celebration as well. After all, freedom brings joy and happiness for those who can know and experience it! Have some simple fun with your child and explore the meaning of Memorial Day at the same time by making a hand-printed flag. Create the background papers for your hand-printed flag with patriotic colors using cardstock papers. Brush the paint onto your child’s hand in a layout that creates a flag image. During the creation of the flag, describe what the colors and shapes mean: The blue field of stars represents the loyalty and number of states that are members in the union of states of America; the 13 stripes represent the original number of states when America was founded; the red color represents the blood of the fallen who made and kept America free and the white color represents the purity of that sacrifice. Once all of the paint is in place on your child’s hand, gently press the hand onto the center of the cardstock backing. Gently lift straight up (otherwise the paint will smear) and allow the cardstock print to dry.
So, whether you choose to stay at home this year for Memorial Day or go out of town for a few days, please pause for a moment and remember the meaning behind Memorial Day!
Until next time-
Lorraine
