Those in the United States know this is a day- the fourth Monday in May – when we pause to reflect on those who gave their lives in service to our country. It also gives us a chance to remember those who have passed on.
History of Memorial Day
Memorial Day, as Decoration Day gradually came to be known, originally honored only those lost while fighting in the Civil War. But during World War I the United States found itself embroiled in another major conflict, and the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. (from History)
Some towns have parades, people might gather for picnics or camping trips. We’re in the last leg of Spring, so the weather is still mild in some areas. School has let out, or is getting ready to in the next week and summer vacation will be upon us. People will be planting their gardens if they haven’t already started them.
Soon we’ll be talking about beaches and vacations. I saw another article posted a couple of days ago and finding your summer reads. That is also something many people will enjoy doing this weekend. Kicking back and relaxing in the shade with a great book.
What are some of your favorite activities to do during this long weekend? Will you gather with family? Visit a gravesite and leave flowers and flags? Take some time to simply relax and do as little as possible? Do you have any favorite dishes that you make for special get-togethers? Please share!
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Thanks for stopping in. I hope that those of you who are enjoying a day off today are enjoying it. I’m personally enjoying this wonderful spring weather and waiting for the watermelons to come into season. Ha!
Jackie Castle is the author of The White Road Chronicles a fantasy series, The Sentinel Archives for school-age readers, and newly released Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast romance series. She has also published articles and short stories in numerous magazines. She’s enjoyed many crazy adventures from working as a hairstylist, to her bravest quest: teaching children in daycare and elementary schools. Eventually, she settled down to a somewhat safer pursuit of being a Story-weaver. Now she lives in her comfortable Texas home where she spins marvelous tales and enjoys relaxing in the evenings with her husband Bob, their children and grandchild. She looks for the extraordinary in every ordinary day that she experiences.
Hi Jackie. Here in Australia we celebrate ANZAC Day on April 25. Sometimes it makes for a long weekend- then we go camping. This year, our oldest son decided he was old enough to go to the dawn service which was pretty special. Memorial Day sounds similar. It is pretty special to be able to pause and reflect on the sacrifice of others, and remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus.
Blessings:)
Hi Jackie! Memorial Day weekend starts tourist season in our SW Michigan community. The wintery produced sand piles are leveled to produce pristine sandy beaches, volley ball nets are put up, local owned shops open or hours of operation are extended, local farm markets and garden centers open, Memorial Day parades both city wide and in neighborhoods, cemeteries are cleaned up and flags put on veterans’ graves. This morning is sunny and bright but cool (only 48 degrees), so I hope to be able to enjoy our spruced up deck. Hubby stained it earlier this month and Thursday evening, I was finally able to prepare my flowering pots. As a German American Memorial Day weekend is bittersweet. Best wishes. Enjoy the holiday!
Amen, Wemble.
That sounds like a wonderful weekend, Renate.
My observance of Memorial Day was actually last night, when I watched the National Memorial Day Concert. It was a great concert, and not just because Sam Elliott was on!! They actually do more talking than singing, so to me “concert” is a bit of a misnomer. I love the way they do dramatizations of letters real heroes have written, and tell the stories of real heroes. May we never forget the cost of freedom here in America, though our real freedom is found in Christ.
We went to a Memorial Day ceremony at our local VA cemetery. It was nice to pay tribute to those who gave their lives for our country.
That sounds wonderful. =)
It is good to stop and remember, so we don’t take such things for granted.
Things are pretty much the same around our house, since my hubby is retired, and I can work whenever and wherever I want. I played tennis this morning. If our kids still lived nearby, we would probably have a cookout with them, but since they are now on the other side of the country, we don’t have any plans.
Hi Jackie! We usually don’t go anywhere on Memorial Day. My husband is a minister, so he has to be here on Sunday. We did spend a nice relaxing day. Stay in pajamas, read some, watch TV a little and napping. That was the extent of it. But I would say a good day. Gods in control!
Isn’t being an author grand? I love having flexibility.
Amen. Having a day off does a mind and body good. =)
Hope you had a great weekend. Saturday we worked around the house and visited my husbands mother. Sunday we went to church then we went to a graduation party. So good to see others we haven’t seen in a while and be able to catch up some. Monday our son and his wife came over and we spent the day with food, games and a movie. It was a wonderful family time.