As American Legion chaplain, my husband, Bruce, gave the invocation at our annual Amelia Island Memorial Day Service. The keynote speaker was Madison Moore, Yulee High School, class of 2017. An extremely talented orator, she explained how she had surveyed kids in her school, asking what Memorial Day meant to them. The vast majority said things like: It's a holiday. No school! It's the first day of summer. It's time for the beach. We have hot dogs and burgers. While all these things are fun and all-American, these students completely missed the meaning of Memorial Day, which is to honor those fallen military, all heroes, who stood between us and those enemies who would see us destroyed.I hope our children are taught the reason behind Memorial Day in school, but they need reminding. Adults, too. So I charge parents and grandparents to explain why we celebrate Memorial Day, as well as July 4th and Venterans' Day.
Remind them, too, to revere the United States flag and what the stars and stripes mean. Fly the flag, if not every day then on those patriotic holidays. If they don't have a family flag, give them one as a birthday or Christmas gift. Better yet, take your child or grandchild on a jaunt and let them help pick out the flag to purchase. Let them help you install the flag pole. Can't afford a large flag right now? Go to the dollar store and buy one or several small flags to wave and/or stick in the planter on the front porch. Show the kids you are proud to prove you are a patriot, all the while you and they are wearing red, white and blue clothes.
Go ahead and enjoy your hot dogs, take a swim, toss a ball, but first honor the men and women who died for us all.
