Memorial Day 2017 More Up Close And Personal Than I’d Like This Year

With Memorial Day 2017 coming up, in honor of a fallen hero, and for friends not exposed to the military life that ask what they can do, this is an important one …..

It was early Sunday morning (a week ago) when a text came from my precious daughter-in-love, asking for prayer for her husband, my 23-year old son, who had just found out about a fellow Army brother had lost his life in the line of duty.  Not knowing that his wife had texted me, my son also texted me later in the day…..

“If you’ll just say a prayer for my buddy’s family and girlfriend.  I just lost a fraternity brother, friend, and good role model yesterday in Iraq.  He was right there with me all throughout college.”

Captain’s friend was 25 years old.  25!  What were you doing at 25?  I certainly wasn’t putting my life on the line on a daily basis.  It may not be your calling or mine to serve in this way, but I believe it needs to be personal to all of us that call the United States of America our home.

Remember Memorial Day?

Sadly, when MOST people think of Memorial Day, they first think of it as the long (holiday) weekend that is the official start of Summer.  A small majority of us do remember what the holiday is for, but it’s a passing thought, maybe envisioning old fellows that died in a war many years ago.

Those who died serving our country deserve more than a fleeting thought this Memorial Day.

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They deserve for it to be personal.

I don’t know Weston’s Mama, but I’ve cried many tears for her (I still am as I type this!) and the rest of his family and friends.  I could very easily be sitting here as “that” Mom who just lost her son while he was serving his country.  Below is the image of Weston being transported honorably this week.

At this very moment, Weston is being transported through Georgia.  I’m so happy to see that the local school systems are releasing their kids early in honor of Lt. Lee so that all community members can participate in the processional through West Georgia.  Also, Governor Deal has ordered that all flags be flown at half staff at all state buildings within the entire state until sunset today.

Yes, that’s what I’m talking about!

I can’t imagine what his Mom, girlfriend, family, and friends feel right now.  My son is driving across the state tomorrow to attend a memorial for him.  Why a memorial?  Weston will not be buried in Georgia, but honorably laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetary in Washington, D. C.

What can WE do Memorial Day 2017?

This Memorial Day, what could we possibly do for families of fallen soldiers, especially if we don’t know them personally?  I’m so glad you asked, friend.  Here are a few ideas:

1. Be Personal 

I can bet that this Mom wants everyone to know her son’s name – for us to know how much he loved God, his country, his family, and people in general.  I’m sure she’d love for us to not look at her with pity, but to think of Wes with honor and to know him a little more personally.  You can share his story (including this post), donate to a scholarship in his name, or send a letter or condolences to the family.

It doesn’t have to be Wesley’s family.  Do you know of a family who has lost a loved one during military service?  It doesn’t even have to be a recent death for you to reach out show that you care.  The simplest thing you can do is just say, “Tell me about your soldier,” and then let them talk as long as they want to.

2.  Support those that support them

I believe the worst thing we can do is nothing at all or to say, “Let me know if you need anything.” They aren’t going to ask, just do something.  Again, Wesley’s brothers have created a scholarship to honor kids who follow in his footsteps.

There are others as well ->  I recently found out about a very cool organization called Snowball Express that serves to remember the families that soldiers leave behind.  If you watch just the initial moments, you can see what it means to the spouses and kids of fallen soldiers.

watch Snowball Express video

Another great organization is Fallen Patriots.  There are approximately 20,000 children that have lost an active-duty parent in the military over the last 35 years.  97% of casualties are men, leaving behind single mothers to care for their families. Of those families, 60% report having trouble making ends meet.  Fallen Patriots step in and become a huge blessing to these families.

watch Fallen Patriots video

3.  Teach the next generation

I’ve written about this holiday every year as well as Veteran’s Day, Flag Day, and July 4th, and I will say till the very end …

Please, for the love of all things holy, teach the next generation how to respect the military.  

Not only can you just talk to kids and young people about the sacrifice that our military takes on (purposefully) daily, you can speak volumes by how you live your life respectfully with these individuals.  This Memorial Day 2017, you can buy a meal of a living soldier that you see in town, shake their hand, read books to your kids about them, watch movies, or a Memorial Day video for kids.

I try to decorate our home in their honor, talk about them, and go do something memorable (like visit our local Memorial Wall, cemetery, or local events), no matter how tiny.  It’s also very hard for me to walk past an old Veteran wearing a military cap without speaking to him on any day of the year.

Memorial Day 2017 ~ Did you know?

• This holiday was in response to the lives lost in the Civil War
• In 1864, women placed flowers on graves near Gettysburg, PA
• In 1866, an annual community service began in Waterloo, N.Y.
• In 1868, General Logan issued orders that May 30th “for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion.”
• The holiday was known as Decoration Day for the practice of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags
• On May 30th, 1868, President Ulysses S. Grant led the 1st Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetary
• In 1915, after performing a burial service for a friend killed in WWI, John McCrae wrote the poem “In Flanders Fields”
• Georgia teacher, Moina Michael established the poppy flower as the symbol of tribute and support for the gravesite of veterans
• In 1967, the holiday became known as Memorial Day by federal law
• The American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, then raised to the top of the staff until sunset
• All Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time

Memorial Day BBQs,  holidays, & parties?

Do I think it’s wrong to celebrate and enjoy the three-day weekend this Memorial Day 2017? Absolutely not!  I would imagine that any soldier that has given his life for this country would want you to enjoy yourself on this holiday weekend.  I’m sure they would prefer you to do whatever makes you happy this Memorial Day and take advantage of the freedom that they gave their life for.

I bet each fallen soldier and their families would ask just one thing …..

Never forget why you are free.

What will you do this Memorial Day 2017?