This is memorial day weekend, a time for family, an extra day off of work for most and outings with friends.
The other part of this weekend is remembering the fallen.
Those who have gone to war, and not returned home.
Memorial, as in remembering. Also called Decoration Day. A day, May 30, set aside in most states of the U.S. for observances in memory of dead members of the armed forces of all wars: now officially observed on the last Monday in May. (from dictionary.com) Memorial: preserving the memory of a person or thing.
The first time I experienced a military memorial service for my best friend’s husband I was in awe of the uniformed military men who folded the flag ever so carefully. Then the gun salute… it was sobering and very sacred. The hush in the air made it almost an eerie silence.
We have a very large military national cemetery in the Portland area and when you go there you see the many stones with names on them. Each one were military or married to a military officer.
Those who served and those who lost the fight. I can’t imagine being a parent of a lost soldier. It’s hard to think about and imagine what it would be like to hear ‘they are not coming home’.
So often we minimize the sacred moments, the traditions, the flag which represents our freedom.
So often it becomes just another fun holiday to enjoy with each other, rather than a sobering remembering that freedom cost someone something.
When I sing God Bless America land that I love, I see freedom. I see patriotic moments. I see honor.
It is also a prayer request, God Bless America.
We need blessings, we have gone so far off in different directions. Yet I remind myself there are still good and honest people who are proud of our country and what our freedom’s stand for.
This is not just a weekend for fun and playing. It is a time for remembering and time to pause and say Thank You.
It is a weekend for patriotism and love for our country.