Memorial Day weekend for me evokes childhood memories of our family getting ready and packing up to go to the lake signaling summer was on its way and it was time to move to the lake. There was excitement and also some resistance on my part as we children had to help our parents clean and air out the cabin after being shut for the long winter. Cleaning was not my favorite activity so I did it grudgingly for the payoff it held afterwards -- running to the lake edge, throwing rocks, and swimming if warm enough -- free at last! It also meant taking time on Monday to visit the graves of family members and placing flowers on their headstones. It was done with respect and great care with mother carefully trimming away grass or moss that had infringed upon the edges of the stone. Sometimes freshly cut lilacs put in a glass canning jar would be placed on the grave and in later years, potted mums were selected from a store and taken to the site.

I image you have memories of your own Memorial Days. Perhaps your family did not take flowers to the cemetery. Perhaps it was a day for a picnic or visiting a park.

Lately when I have visited the cemeteries where my loved ones are buried I’ve notice small groups of people picnicing in the cemetery at a particular gravesite. I found this interesting as I had not seen it before. Perhaps this a custom practiced in another culture different from mine, but common in that country. Or perhaps this is a new way to gather and share memories over food and drink of the person who is buried there.

I didn’t realize until recently that Memorial Day was originally established for those who had died in the Civil War and then later by the 20th century had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.

I’m not sure how it became extended to including everyone. It doesn’t matter. However, for me, it is important to remember all those who have died in military service for our country. Memorial Day is different from Veteran’s Day. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, living or dead.

Join us this Sunday as we remember those who have gone before. Patsy Cameron will be our featured soloist and pianist. She brings a depth of expression through her original compositions and rich strong voice. You can also tune in to our live streaming webcast during our 11 a.m. service.

Happy Memorial Day,

Deidre