“Any nation that does not honor its heros will not long endure.” – Abraham Lincoln

I feel very strongly about this. My children are being raised to honor and appreciate the sacrifices that servicemen and servicewomen throughout history have paid for our freedom and liberty.

Memorial Day is a day to remember, honor, appreciate, and thank those who gave their lives in service to America from the Revolutionary War up to the present.

The act of celebrating Memorial Day is an act of unification. Pausing for Memorial Day to reflect upon its meaning is a very small way to give back, yet important nonetheless. Demonstrating our gratitude is the least we can do.

My family attends our local parade each Memorial Day morning, and then after the small parade, we pick up our chairs and blankets and silently follow the parade a few blocks down to the town cemetery where we attend a Memorial Day service. This service never fails to make me cry at some point…it is always poignant and moving.

I believe this is the very least we can do and I feel that teaching my children the purpose of Memorial Day is important.