I have been looking forward to the three-day weekend coming up for a long time. We always get together as a family and have a big cook-out. The pools re-open, I get a free day off of work and more importantly, summer begins!
It dawned on me as I sat down to write this post, that the true meaning of Memorial day is often lost. Most people know that Memorial Day is to honor soldiers who have died in combat, but did you know that a national moment of remembrance, in the form of a moment of silence, takes place at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time? Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Many people observe the holiday by visiting graves and cemeteries to honor family members who have died. Hundreds of volunteers place American flags on veteran grave sites across the country.
Both of my grandpa's are WWII veterans. I remember how seriously my grandma took Memorial Day and her responsibilities to honor my grandpa, the flag and our country. I realize that those duties have been lost on my generation, in lieu of BBQ, beer and the Indy 500. It made me realize that it is time to step up to the plate. So, this weekend, I pledge to do something to honor my grandpa's and others who have died in service of this country. My question to you this week is "How do you celebrate Memorial Day? Do you do anything to honor it's true meaning?" Answers are due no later than Sunday, May 24th, 2009. Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!
When I was younger it was spent with my grandfather. Now that he has passed I spend it working usually. I do enjoy going to the American Legion and drinking with the other vets there and listening to their stories over the years. So I guess in my own way I do something on that day it might be spent working or drinking and listening to vets. For some it is a day that brings back bad memories for others it is a good day.
ReplyDeleteI don't do anything to celebrate the true meaning of the day. I say that not in a boastful way but in my family service was something that you did, were respected for, but not talked about.
ReplyDeleteWhen we gathered as a family for Memorial Day nothing was ever said about my family members service as per their wishes. The day was simply about family the way they wanted it to be.
i also am the same way as topher. I don't ignore the day but i do keep in mind of the meening. I have family members that are in the war and that have been in wars. I guess i should take that day a little more serious and maybe just take a few seconds out of my day and thank a veteran.
ReplyDeleteMy family has had many soldiers serve in many different wars. On Memorial day, we have the usual cook out and get together, but lately I have found myself seeking out military personel. My brother who is in the Army, and my Brother in law, who is a CPL in the US Marines(OOHRAH!) I call them and thank them for what they have chosen to do with their life. Neither one of them have seen any combat, but they have made a decision that so many Americans do not. They have made the decision to put their life on the line for this country so that I may continue to have the freedoms that I enjoy so much. I think of my grandfathers who served in Vietnam, Korea, and WWII, and I say a prayer for them. I quietly reflect on what they did, and what it means to me.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was in WW2 but he died when my dad was 12 years old so the only veteran i know i have never met and only seen once in a picture, i will take the moment of silence at 300 pm on monday for the veterans. this weekend i am going to summer camp music festival and im getting away from everything life is throwing at me and im just going to relax listen to live music all day with my girl friend sounds like a great weekend, i hope everyone else has a great weekend!!!!
ReplyDeletemy family and i usually get together sometime during the weekend for a cookout. sometimes we dont do anything. it is hard to get everybody together at the same time. i think it is true with this holiday and all the other ones that the true meaning is lost. i guess it is our own fault though. i try to remember the true meaning especially of Easter and Christmas but the other holidays usually just come and go.
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I do is hang out with family and my father puts stuff on the grill. I basically relax and have a good time. I do keep in mind those who have sacrificed for our country.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't until I was in the JROTC in high school that I learned to appreciate the Veterns and that is only because the Friday before Memorial Day we had the parade and had to march downtown and solute the Veterns. Before that my family just got together and celebrated being together to bar-b-que and that the pools where opening. We never talked about wars or the veterns. I am going to try to bring up the real meaning of Memorial Day at our bar-b-que and see the outcome.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'd have to admit after reading this blog I am one of those individuals who think of Memorial Day as a day off of work, BBQ, socializing, and overly ecstatic that summer is finally here. I totally miss the opportunity to give thanks, (except for the veterans license plates that I see here and there) that I can in fact enjoy these benefits due to the fallen Conrad’s.
ReplyDeleteOver the past several years since losing my parents, grandparents and the rest of my family is incognito, me and my son normally are invited over to friends for celebration and involvement.
As far as honoring Memorial Day's true meaning consciously - no, however, this year I will sit down with my son and ask him what he thinks about the meaning of it and we'll have a discussion - at least for a start! Thank you and enjoy your Holiday! Shannon Sellars
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ReplyDeleteIt has always been a tradition for my family to BBQ. I knew Memorial Day was for the soldiers who had died but as long as I can remember, it's never been celebrated by my family. I didn't know about the 3:00 national silence and I do not do anything to honor its true meaning but today since I know I will sit in silence at 3:00pm. Thanks for info. :)
ReplyDeleteMy family and I usually take the day to relax. We will occasionally have a cook- out or go out to dinner somewhere. When I was growing up, my teachers would ask us if we knew the meaning of Memorial Day and the majority of the class would respond the same way we do now. I don't think about it until I see all the American flags come out.
ReplyDeleteIt is sad, but I do not celebrate Memorial day for the true meaning it is meant for. I do not know any veterans or soldiers so I guess it doesnt personally mean anything to me. I do always notice the American flags and the white crosses that are put up for Memeorial day. I think they should keep them up year round, so everyone can see just how many soliders have died in combat for our country. We really never do anything for memorial day. My family will probably cook out and just enjoy the nice warm weather.
ReplyDeleteI used to always spend time with my family and go camping but since I moved to Indy, I never get a chance to go home ON Memorial Day because of work. But I did at least have a few days back in Ohio to hang out.
ReplyDeleteI think holidays should be spent with your family. Any holiday should be an excuse (not that you need one) to hang with your loved ones. This Memorial Day I will be working. But I'll be shutting it down early (Not Really!!!) so I can get back to my family. HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletei dont really do anything to celebrate the true meaning of memorial day. i usually spend it grilling outside and hanging out with my closest family and friends.
ReplyDeleteWell, I just remembered to do this. I'm so sorry. My mind was filled with other things this weekend. Anyway, I spend the weekend out at my sisters, fishing and enjoying the day on Sunday. We listen to the race and I get goosebumps every time I hear the 21 gun solute! I usually watched the fly over,and that is an awesome sight!! If I don't do it enough, thank you to all of our soilders! Without you, we would not be here!
ReplyDeleteI spent the weekend in Winamac IN, preparing for my wedding,camping at the state park, visiting w/ my father and giong to the grave yard were my grandfather is buried. I am just getting back so it has been a long weekend. Our campsite was all decorated in flag and red, white and blue. My father is a Vietnam Vet. so I appreciate the soldiers who have died to protect the country that we live in.
ReplyDeleteI spent the weekend working, then hanging out at my gf house making cookies for graduation, watched a little bit of the race, not a big fan of the races, kind of boring. My mom and dad went to go see the grandparents, and watch the race, then go to the cemeteries to drop off flowers. I used to go with them till I got a job.
ReplyDeleteWell my family usually has a cook out and we sometimes go down to Turkey Run. But this year we are just having a cook out and we don't really celebrate the true meaning.
ReplyDeleteto me i never really did any thing for the fact that i was always playing baseball that day and i never had the time to go to cemeteries but this but now i am not tied to baseball i will try to make a point to give my respect to the dead all around.
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