REMEMBER and GIVE THANKS

This is Memorial Day weekend.  What do you know about it that you can share with your children to help them understand what it is we are remembering on this day?  So many people use the words “celebrate Memorial Day” but I believe it should be “remember Memorial Day” as we are honoring those who have died in service to our country.  These fallen have fought to maintain our freedom that was bought with the blood of our patriots.

What are you telling your kids?  Here are few tidbits that might help:

• This remembrance was started just after the Civil War on May 30, 1868 when flowers were laid on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers per order of Gen. John Logan.
• It was originally called Decoration Day because the survivors went to the graveyards to decorate the graves of their loved ones who died in the War.
• In 2000, a National Moment of Remembrance was established–3 pm local time on Memorial Day–as a specific time that as a country we are ”To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to Taps.”
• The US flag is flown at half mast until 12 pm to honor the fallen, then raised to full mast to remind the living to ensure that they did not die in vain.

The last was very important for parents to impart to their children.  All those millions who have died protecting our right to live in freedom can not have died in the vain.  We must do what we can now in and in the future to guarantee the same lifestyle to those who come after us.

So, as a family, take a few moments at 3 pm on Memorial Day and say a prayer, give a thought of gratitude, or just reflect on what a wonderful country we live in remember those who paid the ultimate price so we have that privilege.

God bless you, be safe, and remember with grateful love.