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Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring and mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Here in the Northeast, it’s a rainy and chilly start to what many consider the unofficial beginning of summer. But perhaps the less-than-perfect weather is a reminder — a chance to embrace the true spirit of the day. Memorial Day is not just a long weekend; it is a time for reflection, remembrance, and gratitude. A moment to honor those who gave their lives defending our nation and securing the freedoms we often take for granted. We really are the land of the free because of the brave.
This isn’t just another three-day weekend. It’s a solemn pause to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by so many — in so many places, in so many conflicts - and yes we as a nation are always in a conflict or our troops are stationed in dangerous areas.
There is joy in this holiday weekend - the opportunity to march in parades, wave American flags (which we hope are Made in USA), see young children on the streets waving flags and smiling and families taking a pause.
How can we honor these brave souls this year and not just this weekend?
One way is to express gratitude to those who have served and those currently in uniform, but also to our first responders who protect and serve our communities every day.
How do we express gratitude differently this year?
What we heard this year is not just to thank a service member for their service, but to ask them if they ever lost a member of their unit. It is in learning their name so those brave souls can be remembered for their bravery and the ultimate sacrifice that they paid.
It is also a good time to reflect on President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address:
It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. 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—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Let us never forget the cost of freedom and the unity that can be found this weekend too — The brave men and women who serve put aside differences and rise above them - they serve a nation.
These moments remind us of what binds us together as a nation. That unity and togetherness is something we need more of.
In a time where bickering feels endless, let’s remember: division is a luxury. Unity is a necessity.
Let’s honor their sacrifice by living in the spirit of what they fought for — together.
It’s also a time to remember President Reagan and his Proclamation 5826 - a Prayer for Peace on Memorial Day, 1988 and all Memorial days thereafter “as a day of prayer for permanent peace” and “designate[d] the hour beginning in each locality at eleven o’clock in the morning of that day as a time to unite in prayer.”
Prayer and Faith are somewhat lacking in challenging times like this with global conflict around the world and we encourage you to take a moment this weekend to pray for peace across the globe.
By Jonathan and Michael Goldstein
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