With the big start to the summer season coming THIS WEEKEND, here are some ways to honor the spirit of the holiday between picnics, gardening, traveling, and other activities.
What is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. Three years after the end of the American Civil War, 5000 people helped to decorate the 20,000 graves of Civil War soldiers from both sides of the conflict. On that day James Garfield, who later became the 20th president of the United States, gave an address to the crowd explaining the importance of remembering the sacrifice of the war dead.
After World War 1, recognition was given to all of the Americans who had died in all of the wars. It was not until 1971 that Memorial Day was officially proclaimed to be a national holiday. This has come to be known as the unofficial start of the summer season.
6 Meaningful Ways to Keep Memorial Day
1.
Visit a Cemetery. Many Catholic Cemeteries hold mass today. But even if you can’t make Mass, visit a cemetery and find some veterans’ graves. Many places will have put flags on the graves of deceased veterans so they’ll be easier to spot. A government-issued headstone will also help you find them.
And remember to say a prayer for the deceased as well:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
2.
If you have any deceased veterans in your family or friends, display their pictures and photos today. Light a candle and say a prayer for them as well.
3.
Learn more about Memorial Day and our veterans. Here is an online Unit Study by Techie Homeschool Mom to do this week to understand Memorial Day and what it means.
4.
With older children, watch a Memorial Day Movie.
5.
Bishop Fulton Sheen wrote a War-Time Prayer Book. It was specifically written for people living through World War II, but has many great applications for anyone facing strife and temptation. From the book:
Archbishop Sheen knew that no matter what our circumstances may be, the deadliest enemy we face is armed not with a gun but with temptation. In dangerous, uncertain times like ours, the Devil lures us quickly into lust, anger, hatred, and despair. Fulton Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book will help keep you from these vices so that you, too, can put on the armor of God and triumph over evil in our day.
6.
Remember those left behind as well. There are many young families who have lost mothers, fathers, husbands, and wives to our current conflicts. They can also use our assistance. Gary Sinise, who played Lieutenant Dan in the movie Forest Gump, sponsors the Snowball Express for these families. Check it out.
My Family and World War II
My Father-in-law, Isadore LaVictoire, was a scout for General Patton. He was also severely wounded in a skirmish that took out most of his fellow soldiers. He never talked about it much and one of his daughters told me that even when she asked him questions about it, it was hard for him to open up about his experiences.
I did learn that his mother, Margaret, had the determination of a pit bull. She called and wrote and otherwise bugged the war department until her son got the medals that he was due.
This memorial day, we remember all of our veterans, but especially the five LaVictoire brothers, who served their country heroically in world war II – and their parents who were also heroic on the home front
