In therapy, we teach people to "let go" of traumas, painful life experiences, and things over which they have no control. It's often the only way we can move forward in life by letting go of those burdens. It doesn't mean we can magically "forget" those events, words, or outcomes; it means we do not allow them to continue to control, hinder, or defeat us. In therapy, we deal with trauma and PTSD (formerly called "shell shock") as any war, or any fighting, leaves traces of anger, trauma, and unresolved questions.
But sometimes, it's important to remember actions, words, and events that occurred if those things are a strength to us, if they are a teacher to help us avoid future reoccurrences, if they inspire or build us up, or if they honor someone or something very precious to our very being of who we are and who we will become. Sometimes those traumas make us stronger and teach us how to handle future volatile situations. Sometimes, we can witness the damage done, and instead learn how we can prevent selfishness, anger, the desire for power, and resentment from destroying our own and others' lives. We can learn and become stronger, while also lifting each other, while letting our honor and bravery come through.
In the Bible, there is a verse (John 15:13, NIV) that says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Christianity is built upon this principle and Christians believe that Christ laid down his life, willingly, to save those he loved.
On Memorial Day, we have an opportunity to remember and honor those who have fallen in service to our country. Memorial Day is the last Monday of every May and a day we honor those who died or were killed in service to the United States. They laid down their lives for our democracy, our nation, and its people. It is a solemn memorial to honor those who gave their lives for their family, their loved ones, and our nation. They fought to protect our freedoms and to help us obtain greater freedoms. They gave the ultimate sacrifice. It wasn't in rebellion, it was in service to our nation, and that service included giving up their life...and the ultimate sacrifice in their death.
Memorial Day is different than Veteran's Day. On Memorial Day, we honor the fallen; on Veteran's Day, we honor all men and women who have fought or are fighting for our country, whether wounded, still in service or who have served at any time in their lives.
Here's a brief history of Memorial Day:
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day emerged in the years after the Civil War.
By the late 1860s, various towns and cities across the United States began holding springtime tributes to the countless fallen soldiers. These communities decorated their graves with flowers and recited prayers.
The exact origin of this tradition remains unclear, but one of the earliest Memorial Day commemorations was organized by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, South Carolina, less than a month after the Confederacy surrendered in 1865.
In 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of Memorial Day. Waterloo had been celebrating the day since May 5, 1866, with community-wide events and grave decorations.
On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. He designated the date as a time to decorate the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion. Importantly, he chose a date that wasn’t the anniversary of any specific battle. On the first Decoration Day, General James Garfield delivered a speech at Arlington National Cemetery, where 5,000 participants adorned the graves of the 20,000 Civil War soldiers buried there.
By 1890, each Northern state had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Official Federal Holiday:
In 1971, Memorial Day became an official federal holiday. Many Americans observe it by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades. Unofficially, it also marks the beginning of the summer season.
National Moment of Remembrance: Each year on Memorial Day, a national moment of remembrance takes place at 3:00 p.m. local time. It’s a time to pause and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
If you have family members who gave their lives while fighting for our country, remember their sacrifices today and honor them. When our nation stops at 3 pm to honor them, think of them.
If you have soldiers who are serving or have served, honor them as well today and be sensitive to their feelings, as they will have seen friends who did not survive. They may be experiencing PTSD when they recall those memories. Help them seek help if needed. Memories of loved ones, or those we cared about, can be sad, yet good memories. Honor them and help them when needed.
Here are some resources to learn more about Memorial Day:
USMemorialDay.org: A comprehensive site that provides the complete history, meaning, facts, and traditions associated with Memorial Day.
History.com’s Memorial Day Resource Page: Articles, videos, and interactive Memorial Day content. Learn about its origins, historical context, and how it’s celebrated today.
Memorial Day in the Classroom: Resources for Teachers: If you’re an educator, this resource offers lesson plans, multimedia materials, and activities to engage students in understanding the holiday’s significance.
Teaching About Memorial Day with Primary Sources: Historical sources related to Memorial Day, including documents, photographs, and personal accounts. These sources provide context and a deeper understanding of the armed forces’ role in history.
Free Memorial Day Printables: If you’re looking for printables and activities, this resource offers materials suitable for children. From books to unit study resources, you’ll find educational content related to Memorial Day
Remembering and honoring our fallen heroes is essential, and these resources can help deepen your understanding of this significant day.
Sometimes it's important to remember. Memorial Day is an important time set aside to do that.
Memorial Day (and Veteran's Day) have a special, personal meaning to me and my family. Our genealogy is full of heroes, as is yours if you search for them.
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