Question: Did you know that Memorial Day was originally known by another name? Can you guess what that was? (cue the Jeopardy music....)

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Are you still thinking?

Well, it was originally called Decoration Day. Thus named because it was the day for decorating the graves of those who died in defense of our country with flowers and flags.

We are never to forget their sacrifice, made-willingly for our country. I read on Wikipedia that “we should guard their graves with sacred vigilance” as an act of final tribute and respect. We should “let no neglect, no ravages of time; testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

Yet over time, the emphasis of the sacrifice made has been watered down. We think of Memorial Day weekend as that time to head to the beach and time to start thinking about summer. We use the weekend for marriages and cookouts and any and everything else that we want to do. And, in themselves, there is nothing wrong with that. I’m just encouraging us today to think a little more about the fact that we are indeed fighting two wars – still. Regardless of your political association, we cannot forget that those who suit up and go into battle on our behalves are our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. And, while we hope and pray that they will come back from war the same way they went – alive – we also recognize that their job is one that does not carry that guarantee. Any really, no one else has that guarantee either, but I trust that you see what I mean.

But we do know this, God is in control. So, we don’t throw a pity party when they go off to do their job. Instead, we rally around them with our physical support and our spiritual prayers. We give them a proper send-off to battle and when we can’t hold them close, we hold them in prayer. I’ve had a few friends of mine go off to war repeatedly. God has held them close, even as I held them in prayer. Their deployments are long; conditions stressful. But each time, God has been faithful in bringing them home safely. Even Chunk’s mother will soon face this reality of war. We will miss her while she’s away, but we will hold her in prayer. We honor our brave soldiers on Memorial Day. We give you our flowers now, while you are living. I tell you Thank you!!!

Yet, everybody does not come home alive. And in rare instances, everybody does not come home. We honor these people especially on Memorial Day. Yes, we decorate the graves and we pray. We take a national moment of remembrance at 3pm ET and we fly our flags half-staff from dawn until noon. We do things together as a family unit – we exercise our freedom that these service men and women died to protect.
However you respectfully do it, please take the time to remember our military personnel this weekend. Don’t just let it be all about what you want to do for yourselves or for your family. But instead, do something that is inclusive of those who are serving or gave their lives in service to this great country.

Let’s leave politics aside this weekend and focus on the people. Our soldiers. May they go forth and serve us well. May we honor those who gave their all in service to this nation.

Remember them on Memorial Day.

Get your kids involved too!
I found some coloring pages for your kids for Memorial Day (I know what you’re thinking, but Chunks can’t color yet. When he gets a little older, perhaps next year, we can drag out the good ole coloring book and let him have at it. I know he won’t stay in the lines! I just know it!!) Anyway, for the young and old at heart, here’s a link to some rather cool pages to help in your commemoration of Memorial Day.

http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/memorial-day/