To me Memorial Day means a three day weekend and the unofficial start of summer. It also reminds me of all the service men and women who have come and gone since the beginning of our great country (even with all of its warts). It means an annual parade that can unite the cities of Dayton and Bellevue, rain or shine. It means memories of sitting in my grandparents living room drinking High Life after High Life after cutting their grass, my grandpa telling story after story of his time in the Pacific. It's remembering my other grandpa being turned away for service while his three brothers were accepted with one never coming back. It's about my 63 year old dad still having his draft card from the Vietnam war even though he was never drafted.

 

It reminds me of the great country we live in and how as Americans we defend our freedoms no matter the danger

There's what it should mean to us and what it does mean to us.

It means I have the freedom to do the things I do because of the sacrifice given and the price paid by brave young men and women since this country began. It means I have a lot to be grateful for.

To me, it first means honoring all of those who died in military service. Secondly, it means remembering all of my family and ancestors that have died.

 

As a young girl, Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend was a special time. My mother, grandmother and I would load up the car with floral decorations, flags and grass trimming tools and go to the family cemetery to "decorate" the graves. I loved exploring that cemetery, looking at the really old graves and the ones with interesting headstones. Many find cemeteries unsettling, but I have always found them peaceful and enjoyable.

Cookout with family or something along those lineS.

Getting up early to put out the flag over our front door. Being proud of men and women who are serving and have served in our military.

When I was young, it signaled the start of summer for the most part.

 

As I became older, I have more awareness and respect for those no longer with us who protected our country. Among them, my Dad, two uncles and a cousin.