I look back now and realize that growing up I didn’t pay much attention to the meaning of most holidays.  True, I don’t really remember being educated about them; they were probably mentioned in a history class at some point and then swiftly swept aside in order to memorize a map of all 50 states.  My family wasn’t terribly religious.  I somewhat understood the meaning of Christmas, Easter was all about a bunny and eggs, and everything else was pretty much an excuse for a vacation or a Bar-B-Q.  I have military veterans in my circle of family and friends.  We all knew that Grandpa had served, but it wasn’t something that was discussed, and still isn’t (although I hold on to hope that someday he may open up to me about it, keeping it a secret between the two of us).  I remember being frightened that my Uncle was going to get sent over for Desert Storm and I have been support for a handful of dear friends that have gone overseas since 9/11.  I don’t remember, as a kid, thanking anyone for their service on Veterans Day, and Memorial Day was another day to remember my mother, I had no idea it was originally intended to honor those who had served our country.

You would think that growing up in the town where Veterans Day began that I would have more memories of doing things to honor Veterans around me.  Honestly, I wish I did, but it’s probably why I am so adamant about it now.  I began with phone calls to say thank you to everyone that I knew that served or was currently serving on Veterans Day morning.  Later I ordered a randomly picked Vietnam MIA bracelet; his story is a post all of its own.  Then I began collecting old military photos found in antique stores; sadly their stories I will never know.  Then a few years ago, after watching a documentary about Section 60 of the Arlington Cemetery, I found a way to honor the fallen in a way that speaks to my heart.

I began my own tradition to honor the fallen on the two holidays, a tradition which I have passed on to at least two people that I know of.  It’s a simple tradition that doesn’t require much (some glass stones, a cemetery, and a little bit of time) but it is my tradition which helps me feel as though I am making up for the years of drinking, bar-b-q’s, and overabundant shopping.  Don’t get me wrong, I still attend bar-b-q’s, drink, fish (a lot), and shop (if it’s a good enough deal to pull me from the first three listed) but the first thing I do Saturday morning is head out to say thank you to those that served for the freedom I have today.

So, as we go in to this Memorial Day weekend I hope that you are able to set at least a small bit of time aside to remember the fallen heroes in your life.