What Memorial Day means to me banner

By David Thompson, Health client specialist (E-4 Specialist - Airborne Infantry)

Memorial Day traces its roots to the U.S. Civil War era.  After the Civil War, May 30 was designated as Decoration Day, a time to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers. At the end of WW1, the day became known as Memorial Day and was extended to honor all Americans who have died in military service.  In 1971, Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday and placed it on the last Monday in May. Growing up, Memorial Day was a great day to barbecue, spend time with family and try to cash in on all the Memorial Day sales. I knew the purpose of the day was to honor members of the armed forces that had died in service protecting my freedoms, but that meaning was lost on me.
 
Fast forward to 2006. My unit, 3-509 ABN, 4 BCT, 25th ID, had light Infantry companies spread throughout Iraq conducting different missions so we didn’t always know how everyone was doing. One day I was on a temporary work detail, sorting mail into containers based on where each unit was stationed, so that it could be sent in the right direction. There was a whiteboard by each container, that listed names of those that were killed in action, so that mail could be returned to the sender. I was shocked to learn that several of my friends were on that list, but it took me a lot longer to accept that reality.
 
As Memorial Day comes around each year, we as Americans are given the opportunity to honor the lives of men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice.  The impact of that sacrifice is evident in the memories of service members, friends, family and their kids. Enjoy that barbecue, time with family and friends, but also consider:
 

  • Pause wherever you are, at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation, as encouraged by The National Moment of Remembrance.
  • Take a moment to learn about the lives of those that made the ultimate sacrifice (Military Times Honor the Fallen).
  • Share a memory of someone you know whom is one of the fallen.
  • Lay flowers or plant flags at a local Veterans Cemetery.
  • Volunteer your time or provide financial support to organizations that support the families of the fallen.

Volunteer Opportunities to honor the fallen

From personal experiences, below are couple of links to organizations that I have been involved with or know of, through families of fallen friends, but there are many others. 
 

Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors: Provides comfort, care and resources to all those grieving the death of a military loved one. They provide opportunities to volunteer through national and regional opportunities. T
 
Wear Blue: Run To Remember: This running community unites and supports military and their families, veterans, Gold Star families and civilian through active remembrance and meaningful relationships. 
 
Wreaths across America: Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, their mission to remember, honor and teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. 

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AUTHOR
David Thompson
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