When asked about celebrating Memorial Day many people consider this holiday the beginning of summer. They talk about an extra day off from work, plans for cookouts with friends, and working in the yard. But none of those have anything to do with why our country celebrates Memorial Day. If you asked your children about this day would they know what the day is all about?
Major Mark Smeltzer makes it a point to be sure his children know the history of this day.
“My father was in the Army for 20 years, his father was career Army Air Corp. and then in the Air Force and I have been in the military for 22 years,” said Major Smeltzer. “Every Memorial Day we make it a point to go to the National Cemetery where my father, grandfather, grandmother and uncle are buried. My wife and I believe it is important for our children to understand the sacrifices that have been made in order for them to enjoy many freedoms that are often taken for granted.”
Originally, Memorial Day, declared a Federal holiday in 1971, was a day set aside out of the year for the nation to collectively remember and reflect, to maintain and decorate the graves of the fallen, and to renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us. On the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 3rd U.S. Infantry places small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones in the Arlington National Cemetery.
“I was deployed in Kuwait and Iraq for 12 months,” said Major Smeltzer. “When we arrived in Iraq we were on a multi-national compound. That was when I realized how much even I took for granted. Something as simple as flying the American flag was forbidden. People were prisoners in their own land, walking outside meant risking being killed. My wife and I want our children to understand that something as simple as walking down the street, having an opposing opinion and the freedom to express it, worshipping the way they want to and flying the American flag are all freedoms that we have as a result of men and women who were willing to fight and sometimes sacrifice their lives so that we can live in a free country.”
As you prepare to celebrate Memorial Day take the time to make sure your children or grandchildren know why we celebrate this day. Here are a few suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.
Visit the National Cemetery and talk with your children about what it means to lay down your life for the freedoms we share in our country.
Encourage neighborhood kids to decorate their bikes and scooters with patriotic colored crepe paper and have a parade.
Fly the American Flag. According to tradition, the flag is to flown at half mast until Noon in memory of those who have served. After Noon the flag can be flown at full mast.
Observe The National Moment of Remembrance at 3 pm local time. The White House Commission on Remembrance started this moment of remembrance to ensure the nation remembers the sacrifices of America’s fallen from the Revolutionary War to the present and to recognize those who served and those who continue to serve our great nation reminding all Americans of their common heritage.
Invite a family who has someone serving in the military to celebrate Memorial Day with your family. There are many families who have become single parent families due to a spouse being deployed. Spending the day with friends where others are willing to cook and help supervise the children could be a great gift.
We live in the land of the free because of the brave. May we never take our freedom for granted.
