Why Do We Celebrate Memorial Day?

“It doesn’t take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.” General Norman Schwarzkopf

This Monday we celebrate Memorial Day. To me it is hard to categorize this day as a celebration, I’d much rather call it a day of solemn remembrance. We remember those who never became husbands, fathers or friends. We say a prayer of thanks for the brave families who lost someone that they hold dear. It is so much more than a celebration. Jerry Pournelle once said, “Freedom is not free. It is bought at a high price. It can be squandered cheaply.” With the state of the nation at the moment, I hope that we can pause and give thanks for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their life.

What is the history of Memorial Day?

The tradition of national mourning started shortly after the Civil War. The Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, John Logan thought it was befitting to remember the Union Soldier’s sacrifice during the war. The holiday was first known as “Declaration Day.” As other states began to have their own days of remembrance, a need arose to nationalize the remembrance of loss for the cause of freedom. By 1882, the name had been changed to “Memorial Day.” By the year 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act. In that act, Americans are encouraged to stop at 3:00 pm to say a prayer of thanks for those who have gone before.

What is a Gold Star Family?

I’ve shared in many of my musings about being a Blue Star Mother, I have 4 sons in the US Army. A Gold Star family has lost their loved one in service to the country. Over the years of being a military mom, I’ve sang, prayed and written eulogies for fallen solders. The grief is palpable and so very hard to bear. I’d like to share a poem that I wrote after the disaster at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan a few years ago.

A Tribute to a Gold Star Family

Gold is a precious metal, the finest and the best.  

It symbolizes wealth, beauty and riches that only some can possess. 

To see it’s color is magnificent, particularly in the sun. 

But even on dreary days gold emerges and reveals the beautiful rays and the strength of the sun. 

In spiritual terms gold is pure, a healer and a symbol of faith. 

It’s beauty, It’s preciousness means that no one can disgrace.

Gold is powerful and beautiful and symbolizes victory.  

The shine of gold embodies the love of God himself because it can last for eternity.

Gold’s scarcity shows that only few can possess it’s shine, it’s goodness and its uniqueness.

To be gold it takes fire, tenacity and grit.  Strength of Character and the will to never quit. 

Real Gold never fears the fire but runs towards it.  

Gold is the color that a soldier receives when he rushes to the values in which he cleaves.

The value to serve, honor and protect the country that he loves best. 

He gave the ultimate sacrifice, he gave service until his last breath. 

Gold is the perfect way to see that this soldier, this brave guardian gave his life so that we can be free.

So you see gold is the standard this soldier came to be when he gave it all for the cause of liberty. 

Take a moment and say a prayer of thanks

Hopefully this Memorial Day you will take a moment and say a prayer of thanks for those precious souls who gave their all for the cause of liberty. Selah