By Colleen Schuler, e-Management
For Memorial Day, thousands visit the famous Iwo Jima statue at the Marine Corps Memorial located outside of Washington, DC. How will you honor the fallen this Memorial Day? Photo Source: https://goo.gl/lh4X3e
“It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on,” President Abraham Lincoln declared. “It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us. That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.”
The President, of course, was referring to the Union soldiers who had died five months earlier at the Battle of Gettysburg. It would be another 20 months of fighting before the last general of the Confederate Army surrendered.
Decoration Day Commences.
Three years after the Civil War ended, Memorial Day was created to honor the fallen soldiers on both sides of the conflict. After World War I, it was designated to honor all soldiers who died while serving their country. Originally known as Decoration Day (the soldiers’ graves were decorated) and celebrated on May 30, it wasn’t until 1971 with the passage of the National Holiday Act that it was moved to the fourth Monday in May. In 2000, President Clinton signed the National Moment of Remembrance Act designating “3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day each year as the National Moment of Remembrance, in honor of the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and peace.”
Yes, Memorial Day is in remembrance for the fallen. But I suggest we broaden our view. Let’s honor the memories of those who’ve fallen in service to our country by using the gifts and talents we have to help and serve the living. Everyone can do something.
Twenty dollars.
Perhaps you’ve heard of Myles Eckert, whose father, U.S. Army Sgt. Andy Eckert, died in Iraq when Myles was an infant. Last year, Myles found $20 in a restaurant parking lot outside of Toledo, Ohio. He was going to spend it on himself when he saw a man in uniform—Lt. Col. Frank Dailey of the Ohio Air National Guard. Instead, he gave the money to Dailey with a note: “Dear Soldier – my dad was a soldier. He’s in heaven now. I found this 20 dollars in the parking lot when we got here. We like to pay it forward in my family. It’s your lucky day! Thank you for your service. Myles Eckert, a gold star kid.” That’s a big heart for an 8-year-old.
Clear Water.
In 2007, fresh out of college on a ROTC scholarship, U.S. Army Capt. Benjamin Sklaver was sent to northeast Africa. In Uganda, he saw that clean water was vital for the health of the people, especially those living in small villages, and worked to provide that. When he came back to the States, he set up the to continue helping the Ugandans. Two years later, Sklaver was redeployed to Afghanistan, working in civil affairs doing much of the same work that he had done in Uganda. But he lost his life to a suicide bomber. His parents and friends continued the work of his foundation; eight years later they are still going strong.
Kick for Nick.
U.S. Army Pvt. Nick Madaras inspired many people to honor his memory—with a global reach. Madaras, a soccer aficionado and youth-soccer coach from Connecticut, had been deployed to Iraq. He found that soccer broke down barriers, especially with the Iraqi children. Madaras’ goal was to send soccer balls to the Iraqi children. But he was killed by a roadside bomb in 2006. A Korean War vet, Ken Dartley, read a local newspaper article about Madaras and started a soccer ball drive. That has evolved into the . People from forty-seven states have sent more than 42,000 soccer balls to 19 countries. Cal Holt, an eighth grader from Winston-Salem, N.C., saw a video about Madaras and started his own drive for a school project. He and his friends collected 33 soccer balls. They ended up in the hands of children from the African nation of Djibouti. Seeing pictures of the smiling children, Holt said, “Doing this, I’ll remember this for a long time.”
What a great way to honor Pvt. Madaras—a seemingly small act with a big impact.
What does Memorial Day mean to you?
The beginning of summer? A paid holiday? Great bargains? Blockbuster movies? Cookouts?
Let’s remember the fallen. Let’s resolve that those who gave their lives for our country will not have died in vain.
Let’s make it a day that inspires. What will you do?
Tags: charity, ClearWater Initiative, Colleen Schuler, , Kick for Nick Foundation, Memorial Day, Ola Sage
Well, my dad was a Vietnam Veteran (purple heart recipient). I don’t know much about his military life, but I take the time to reflect on Memorial Day. When he was living, I used to make Veterans Day a big celebration for him even when he didn’t want me to.
Now that he’s gone, I like share stories about him with my son and expose my son to our armed forces. This year I may take my son to the African-American Civil War Museum and next year, my son will be old enough to get involved with a service project.
@Colleen, regarding your comment: “Memorial Day is in remembrance for the fallen. But I suggest we broaden our view. Let’s honor the memories of those who’ve fallen in service to our country by using the gifts and talents we have to help and serve the living. ” I agree completely. Great idea. I am all about community service. I believe in giving financially as well as donating my professional help pro bono, as well as getting my ‘hands dirty” for my special causes human rights, health/wellness, and education. Thank you for sharing information on the ClearWater Initiative, I plan to do some additional research on this program.
What does Memorial Day mean to me? Memorial Day weekend is usually used to connect with long-time friends and family. Memorial Day, on the other hand, is very different for me. I actually use it as a day of reflection to remember all women and men who have fallen during their call to duty. I have a morning ritual of silence on Memorial Day to remember their sacrifices. I also take the time to read up on their sacrifices throughout history…
Thank you for posting this piece… it was an enjoyable read.
@Jamie, What a great idea to share your dad’s stories with your son; it’s so important that younger generations understand the sacrifices of our servicemen and servicewomen.
Thank you for visiting…and I hope you have fond memories of your dad this Memorial Day.
So many have fallen fighting for the land and idea of this great country. To the soldiers who battled tyranny here and abroad we owe thinks. To the men and women who fought and died to end slavery, support women’s suffrage, worker’s rights, civil rights, and freedom from state sponsored terror, we too owe them thanks. I like your broader interpretation.
@Dennis, Thank you for your comments. We can all take from your example. Since I’m not a morning person ;-), I plan on observing the National Moment of Remembrance at 3pm…I’ve set it up on my phone calendar so that I won’t forget.
This was a great reminder. Like many others I’m sure, we tend to think holiday and family planning. Years ago we made it about Veterans. Since my father’s passing ive skipped many of our traditions (community service efforts) but now I’m recommitting. I think my favorite time was my Father and I joining a service effort and we created a Happy Hour for Walter Reed patients. We had a great time celebrating their day. It was humbling to be thanked when they were way more deserving… A man cried when I told him I’d never forget meeting him. He said being remembered is all the honor most of us ever need.
Very thankful to have read this today.
@Derek…Couldn’t have said it better!
Thank you.
@Melissa, Thank you so much for your comment. What a wonderful memory you must have of that service effort with your father. And what a fun way to show appreciation to those vets.
Have a great Memorial Day.
@Colleen, Thank you for this article. I am a veteran and for me Memorial Day is a reminder of not only the soldiers who have been lost during the time of war but also all people who have sacrificed to make this country a better place. I currently work for a non profit organization with an emphasis on HIV Prevention. We hold a community picnic event each year on Memorial Day. SO… I will be working but with the idea that the people I come in contact with lives can be changed by an encounter with me.
Have an awesome Memorial Day Weekend.
@Brian, Thank you for doing your part in making this a better world!
Thank you Colleen, I have appreciated your article & what comes to mind is “gone but not forgotten”. These history & herstorys are an integral part of the future.. The contributions will shape the free world for the better. In England we acknowledge Remembrance Day on Nov 11. Red poppies are sold to raise money for veteran related projects. Then on the 11th day of the 11th hour on the 11 month we have a 2 minute observation of silence throughout the UK to honour & remember the fallen. The country comes to a standstill. Its very poignant & touching tribute. Last year at the Tower of London there was an infamous river of red poppies & this was shown around the world.
My daughter was involved in a community project that interviewed & documented the experiences of elderly survivors from WW2. This was exhibted at the Imperial War Museum, UK. War & Peace unite us all.
There is a certain lack of congruency between veterans and families of military folks who are in need and the richest, most powerful military complex in the world. I would love this memorial day to be a day of shame. shame that there are homeless veterans. Shame that there are politicians who would even think of cutting benefits for those who serve their country. If we can spend several billion to make a fancy fighting machine, surely we can spend billions to look after those who fight for our freedom.
Colleen, your article is very inspirational and well written. I’m not sure what I’m going to do on that day but on a day to day basis, I’m going to look for ways to honor the men and women who served our country in the military on my job at the college. I always like to engage the veterans in conversations about their life now. A lot of them are back in school after being away for years and just need some encouragement that they can do it.
This was an excellent article Colleen! I am glad that Dennis Powell directed me to this blog. I will be celebrating military women this Memorial Day weekend by DJing an event specific for them. Veterans definitely NEED to receive a piece of the American Pie and not have it snatched out of their hands upon their return from serving OUR country! Every American should do something to honor those that honor US wether you want the support or not… Just by being American, it comes with the territory! We should honor our Vets just like we do athlete, movie stars, and entertainers. GREAT article!
@Fauzia, thank you for sharing what our friends across the ocean do to remember the fallen. The Tower of London poppy images are so striking (for those of you who haven’t seen them, just perform a Google search “tower of london red poppies 2014″).
And it’s so important to capture the memories and stories of our veterans. Our Veterans Administration estimates that there are approximately 1 million WWII veterans alive today; about 500 die every day.
Thanks for your stopping by.
@Keith, There’s no doubt that we need to do a better job of taking care of our soldiers. But I respectfully disagree that Memorial Day should be a day of shame. Let’s separate the politics from the men and women who died in service and honor them.
Thank you for sharing.
@Gina,
Great way to remember the fallen by helping and encouraging their living comrades….thanks for visiting!
@Tyrone, Sounds like a fun event…great way to put your skills to use! Thank you for your kind comments and for stopping by. Have a great Memorial Day.
Thank you for your fresh perspective on options that allow us to “remember the fallen”. Nicely written with the historical/political and currently relevant action steps to honor of men and women of valor.
@Michael, Thank you for visiting…have a great Memorial Day.