As a mom, I’ve always called May the “second December”, as it seems to fly by each year packed with a hundred extra activities – end-of-year concerts, teacher appreciation, banquets, recitals, team and class parties, and the last tournaments of the season.
By the time Memorial Day hits, I’ve often found myself just wanting to take a deep breath and be thankful for a free day! But it warrants our celebration.
4 simple things to do to make Memorial Day more meaningful
- Let your kids help put a flag out. Teach them proper care and etiquette of the U.S. Flag, such as…-Never let the flag touch the ground or anything beneath it.
– Display the flag only between sunrise and sunset on buildings and stationary staffs, or for 24-hours if illuminated.
– Do not display the flag in inclement weather.
– Whether displaying the flag vertically or horizontally, make sure the canton of stars is visible on the upper left-hand side.
– The flag should be raised briskly and lowered ceremonially.
– An unusable flag that is damaged and worn and can no longer be displayed should be destroyed in a dignified way by burning. - Participate in a Memorial Day Parade. Check local listings for parades in your area, or help the neighbor kids create their own parade with bikes, scooters and strollers decorated in small flags and streamers. (Pictured is a 1999 throw-back photo of the oldest Stull boys!)
- Host a “Home of the Brave” Cookout. Invite some friends over – potluck style if you want to make it super easy. Gather everyone together after sharing in the meal, and share stories of military heroes. Let everyone have a chance to share of relatives or friends who served. Have hero stories printed from here and ask 3-5 people to read them aloud to the group.
- Write handwritten notes to active military servicemen and women. Thank them for their service and take a moment to pray for them and their families before mailing. You may choose to write a letter to a soldier or send a soldier a package.
I pray you and your family have a blessed Memorial Day, with gratitude in our hearts for the ones who have given their lives for us to have the freedoms we enjoy every day.