It's Memorial Day in America - How Will You Spend It?

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I appreciate the men and women who have served in the armed forces.  They sacrificed time, comfort, safety, and sometimes their futures so that I could live in a country that still believes in democracy and freedom.


Today, my husband Jon and I will give thanks for these family members who gave their lives:

  • my grandfather's older brother Robert, who died fighting in France in World War I
  • Jon's grandfather August, who was killed while driving an army ambulance in north Africa during World War II
  • Raymond, Douglas, and Smitty, comrades and friends of Jon's father Bob, who perished fighting in Germany during World War II

We also appreciate other relatives who served:

  • Jon's uncle Ray, who served during World War II
  • my father Robert, his brother Kenneth, and all four of my mother's brothers, who served in the army at various times during the Cold War
  • Jon's older cousin Steve, who was wounded in Vietnam
  • My sister-in-law's father Dan and my son-in-law's father Richard, who also served in Vietnam  (Dan later died of cancer caused by Agent Orange exposure.)
  • our son-in-law's brother Mike, who served three tours in Afghanistan
  • our nephew Isaac, who is currently serving somewhere with Army Special Operations


... plus several friends who served in Vietnam and other places.  I know you have friends and family you're remembering too.  Their wives, parents, siblings, and children also made sacrifices.  They deserve our thanks and remembrance. 


at the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial in Washington DC - photo by Mike Tolliver on Unsplash



Commemorating the day


There have been many sales and shopping events this weekend, including today.  I've stayed away, and I hope you have too.  We can do our shopping some other time, and there will definitely be other sales.  We don't need to turn this day into yet another celebration of consumerism.


A lot of people see this weekend as the beginning of summer, and a lot of parties are planned.  A family get-together is always a good idea, but this holiday is not about partying.  It's about thanks and remembrance.


Volunteers will place flags on all veteran's graves at any cemetery, so you can visit and pay your respects.  Early in the morning, Jon and I may visit the Vietnam memorial in our town.  Then we could travel 40 miles to his dad's grave, leave some flowers, and take a picture to send to his mom and brothers.


Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day back in 1868, when it was designated as a time to honor soldiers who had died in the American Civil War.  Families would decorate the graves of their loved ones with flags and flowers.


So this would be a good day to spend gardening or visiting a local arboretum or community garden.  If you're up for creating a memorial, plant some flowers – preferably something perennial that will flower for weeks year after year, such as a rose bush or some day lilies.  Today, or later this week, you could paint a rock, including the name and dates of the veteran you want to honor, and lay it in the garden.


If you do plan a special meal, be sure to observe a moment of silence before you eat, in addition to whatever prayers of thanks you may say.  In the U.S., it's traditional to stop whatever you're doing and observe a moment of silence at 3:00 p.m. local time.  


In the evening, we may watch an appropriate film.

  • We own Glory (starring Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, and Denzel Washington) on Blu-ray (you can stream it on Netflix).  It's a classic film about the first Black regiment that fought in the American Civil War.*
  • Saving Private Ryan (starring Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, and many others; directed by Steven Spielberg) is also worth owning.  The story follows a group of American soldiers tasked with finding one man, Private Ryan, so he can return home after his three brothers have been killed in action during WWII.  It's known for its powerful re-creation of the D-day invasion.
  • Since we have Netflix streaming, we could watch Hacksaw Ridge (directed by Mel Gibson and starring Andrew Garfield).  The movie tells the true story about a war hero who refused to carry a gun.  Medic Desmond Doss risked his life over and over to save 75 men during the WWII battle of Okinawa.
  • The Six Triple Eight (produced, written, and directed by Tyler Perry, starring Kerry Washington, Susan Sarandon, and Oprah Winfrey) is also available on Netflix.  The movie tells the story of the only Women's Army Corps unit of color stationed in Europe during WWII.  They're given the nearly-impossible task of sorting and delivering a 3-year, 17-million-piece mail backlog in just 90 days in order to raise troop morale.
  • 1917 (starring George McKay, with cameos by Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch), the gritty, gripping WWI story of two British soldiers crossing enemy lines to deliver a message that could save many lives, is also available on Netflix.
  • If you decide to watch, there are many other options, from Dunkirk to Platoon to Da 5 Bloods.  (Truly, something for everyone!)  Oh... don't forget Wings, the 1927 silent film set during WWI.  It was also the first movie to win the Best Picture Oscar.


* Yes, I know this is an Amazon link.  It costs money to maintain a blog!  If you decide to purchase, I may earn a small commission.


This is a lot to do in one day.  I'm not even considering attending the parade, and a few churches have special services too.  I bet there are similar opportunities in your area.


So there's absolutely no reason to turn to shopping to fill your time!  If you really need something more to do, consider writing an encouraging letter of thanks to a deployed service member.


I hope you have a meaningful Memorial Day.


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