Memorial Day Celebrations
This weekend we set out some chairs, call our friends, wet a line and enjoy an extended weekend away from work. Memorial Day signifies the start of summer for me. A good portion of my friends or family will spend this weekend camping or at very least grilling a mouth watering meal.
Historically speaking…
Stay with me as I share some important facts about this beloved weekend.
Memorial Day began as a day to honor fallen soldiers of the civil war starting around 1868. At this time it was called Declaration Day so graves of fallen soldiers could be decorated. Later on, this day would include remembrance of soldiers lost in WWI and WWII. In 1966 it was declared a national holiday as the last Monday of the month so federal employees could have a three day weekend. Memorial Day is now a day of remembrance for all that have fought and died for our country.
Weaving these traditions into today.
How can we incorporate national tradition but still enjoy blessings of relaxation and good food?
Setting the table…
I once found myself in a middle of no where town called Edgeville, SC at a pizza joint. Looking around I noticed they had a table and chair set out with full place settings, a water glass, candle and a rose. The back rest of the chair adorned POW/MIA. I’ve continue to see this display or remembrance in local places like an Elks Lodge in Michigan. We can take this and incorporate it into our weekend & meals.
You can personalize it for family and friends that your family has lost by writing their name(s) on cards to set on the plate or you could up their pictures out on the table. Celebrate them with honor at a meal.
A Moment of Remembrance…
Monday at 3pm of this holiday weekend is the Moment of National Remembrance to take a moment of silence and pray for our veterans. Raise a glass for those who gave it all.
Set a reminder on your phone to stop where ever you are this weekend to hold that moment of silence. Plant this tradition of collective connection for one another in your families this year.
Clean their grave site…
This activity may tug at your heart strings a little harder and may be difficult. Stop by to clean weeds and bring flowers to a loved one’s grave fulfills the tradition of this day and purpose of its origination.
Things to remember. Do not remove any trinkets, items, or coins placed on someone’s head stone. It’s ok to move them for cleaning up purposes but replace them in a neat tidy way once you are done. Coins on a grave stone of a soldier have special meaning between soldiers.
Host a tea party….
Tea has been apart of human history and war for centuries. Only fitting that we could use this traditional activity to honor our veterans.
Afternoon tea is traditionally held at around 4pm to bridge the gap between lunch and dinner. For this weekend we could host it a little earlier to cover the time of remembrance at 3pm.
First pick out your favorite tea to brew. Depending on number of guests you may want to brew two pots to pass around the table.
Next make or buy some small sandwiches, sweet treats, fruit or scones to enjoy with your tea.
Honor those who have fallen during war time or those who have served in our armed forces by setting a tea cup and plate out for them. Begin your tea party at 3pm with a toast of honor to all veterans.
Make your place setting festive with red, white and blue accents. Add roses to your table and small American flags. Go wild here if aesthetics is your thing. Keeping it simple is ok too. Don’t stress over proper place settings or cups. I promise you there is a tea set at your local thrift shop along with a fun tea pot just waiting for you. Make some homemade sandwiches or pre-made at the local deli. Grab scones or donuts from the bakery to round out your snacks.
To sum it up…
Use these small but important ways to remember our military this weekend. Pick one and introduce this to your family and friends. Traditions start small like a seed to then grow into a thriving plant or tree. Enjoy. :)