May 25, 2008 8:32 AM
Memorial Day 2008 - tributes, ideas for you and your children
It's really up to parents to infuse meaning into these holidays that can get lost in the three-day-weekend mentality we've created. Family times and fun are wonderful, but let's carve out a little space to remind ourselves and teach our children what Memorial Day is all about.
Lord, help us remember. Help us be grateful.
A great round-up of information and links here, including this brief intro:
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is much more than a three-day weekend that marks the beginning of summer. To many people, especially the nation's thousands of combat veterans, this day, which has a history stretching back all the way to the Civil War, is an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.
Uncover the interesting history of the holiday we now call Memorial Day. Discover little-known facts about America's Wars and stop by the Veterans Forum message boards to share your views with veterans, their loved ones and fellow history buffs.
Visit the History Channel site for more.
Memorial Day activities for kids
If your relatives have served or are serving in the military, please accept our family's grateful thanks. Today and tomorrow we will be thinking and talking about their sacrifice and yours.
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Please spread the word by linking to this for your readers and emailing to your families.
Posted in Memorial Day | Permalink
Comments
Barbara,
As an Army wife currently waiting for her husband to get the rest of the way back from Iraq (don't ask...long, long story and wait!), I have to thank you graciously for the sentiment but remind you that it's placed incorrectly. Memorial Day is for remembering those who have died either in battle or later, if they served earlier in life. The times for honoring current military personnel and living veterans are Armed Forces Day (a sadly overlooked observance that just passed on May 17) and Veterans' Day. Many, many veterans take part in Memorial Day celebrations, usually in uniform, often not enough younger veterans, and frequently rather sadly. But it's not their day.
(I grew up having this distinction and many other aspects of good patriotism taught very, very clearly, with my grandfather being the local American Legion post commander. He's been gone for two years now, and I still hear his south Jersey accent pronouncing the phrase "Memorial Day" whenever I think about it. Not living near "home" anymore, I don't really know what to do with ourselves tomorrow, so I'll wait until tomorrow to look at the videos to which you've linked.)
Very truly yours,
Mrs. G.
Posted by: MRs. Gillet | May 25, 2008 7:27 PM
