Cheerful Frugality Remembers
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For Memorial Day, I'd like to talk a little about honoring our service men and women.
Expressing your patriotism doesn't have to cost a dime.
It doesn't mean wearing flag t-shirts, sticking flags all over our yards, or buying bumper stickers which proclaim our feelings. In fact, I think this kind of commercialism devalues the sacrifice so many of our ancestors have made.
We honor the fallen when we conduct ourselves as good citizens, not just good consumers.
I have spent many years of my life around the American Legion. I guess a little of its spirit rubbed off! Here are a few cost-free ways you can express your love of country:
- Listening to a veteran. There are so many stories waiting to be told, and so few people who are willing to listen. If you can, write it down.
- Displaying the flag appropriately. A tattered flag is not a badge of frugal honor.
- Caring for the families of veterans, sending a card or offering to drive an elderly widow to visit a gravesite.
- Teaching our children that Memorial Day isn't just the pool opening.
How does your family honor Memorial Day? I'd love to know!
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4 Responses to “Cheerful Frugality Remembers”
May 26th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
My kids belong to the high school marching band. While being a band member is not always the coolest, it’s important to look at how dedicated and hard working they are. Band season goes from July to June without much break in between. While the football players get food after their game, bandies have to fight to get a hot dog and water from the boosters. Most of their parents are at the games just to show support for the band members they love. Anywayyyy. Today we went to three grave side services for the small towns on either side of the school. In between there was a cookout/potluck picnic for the families. This is how we’ve spent every memorial day since our kids joined the band.
May 27th, 2008 at 8:06 am
I love your thoughts Meredith!
Commercialism is killing our country. Simple and heartfelt is best. Why wait until Memorial or Veterans Day? What about the rest of the year?
Our church gives out free bottled water at local town events. It’s a small token, but thoughtful.
May 27th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
My husband and I are veterans.We went to the American Legion Memorial Day service.
June 3rd, 2008 at 9:44 pm
My favorite Memorial Day activity is going to the local National Cemetery with our son’s scout troop to decorate the graves. Scouts from all over the area meet there and decorate every single grave with a small American flag at the foot. After placing a flag, the scout is to salute. By morning’s end, the acres of graves are decorated with a sea of American flags waving in the breeze. It is not only beautiful, but meaningful for scouts AND parents.
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