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“The Nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.” ~Calvin Coolridge
Well, we made it.
Today is the “unofficial” start of summer and there is no shortage of fun happenings.
There are the traditional cookouts, concerts and picnics, and long bike rides and boat rides; baseball games and the opening day at the beach club … my only problem is trying to squeeze it all into one weekend!
But in all of my excitement and family’s enjoyment, I’m hoping to steal away a few precious moments with my kids to teach them what today really means. I am hoping to impart to them that these liberties we all enjoy are only because of the many sacrifices of those who served our nation before us, those who serve now, and those who will serve in the future and whose job it is to protect and fight for our freedom.
Here are few ideas I have to help my kids appreciate the meaning of Memorial Day …
Hug a uniformed officer. Or, at the very least, shake their hand, look them in the eye, and thank them for defending our freedoms and keeping us safe;
Hang up our own American flag and pass along to my children what our flag symbolizes and represents (a good reminder for us all);
Visit a grave and place a flag and some flowers in remembrance of a fallen solider;
Especially on a tombstone for an Unknown Solider, reminding all of us that they – and their sacrifice – will never be forgotten by our grateful nation;
And take the kids to see a parade (my son will be marching with his Cub Scout Troop in our town parade this morning) while teaching them to salute silently, and stand at attention respectfully, as the soldiers and men and women in uniform pass us by to show our respect and deepest admiration.
So, it is with gratitude and great pride I wish you and your family the happiest of days filled with laughter, barbecues and sunshine to at last celebrate our start to the summer season.
I hope your Memorial Day is filled with beautiful memories – but most of all, with peace.
~Amy
