Tag: memorial day

Festival of Flags

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The Festival of Flags happens each Memorial Day in Ferndale, Washington, and the path to the remembrance ceremony is lined with American flags – over 1,500 of them. This “Avenue of Flags” honors military service veterans, and each flag pole identifies an individual who died in service to our country.

Walking through The Avenue of Flags today, and also past the gravestones in Greenacres Memorial Park, I was reminded of all my loved ones who are no longer physically with me. I live with warm memories of my grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, and all of those who have gone before me.  They are certainly not forgotten.

A Moment of Remembrance

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While opening my kitchen window this morning, I saw this one flower laying among the shadows on my sidewalk.   The image seemed like a fitting Memorial Day photo.

This prompted me to research the history of Memorial Day, and I came upon a memorandum signed by Bill Clinton back in May 2000, with the subject, “White House Program for the National Moment of remembrance”.   I’ll leave you with these thoughts, an excerpt from the memorandum, as you enjoy the long, holiday weekend with your family and friends.

 “As Memorial Day approaches, it is time to pause and consider the true meaning of this holiday. Memorial Day represents one day of national awareness and reverence, honoring those Americans who died while defending our Nation and its values. While we should honor these heroes every day for the profound contribution they have made to securing our Nation’s freedom, we should honor them especially on Memorial Day.    

In this time of unprecedented success and prosperity throughout our land, I ask that all Americans come together to recognize how fortunate we are to live in freedom and to observe a universal “National Moment of Remembrance” on each Memorial Day. This memorial observance represents a simple and unifying way to commemorate our history and honor the struggle to protect our freedoms.    

Accordingly, I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies, in consultation with the White House Program for the National Moment of Remembrance (Program), to promote a “National Moment of Remembrance” to occur at 3 p.m. (local time) on each Memorial Day.

 Recognizing that Memorial Day is a Federal holiday, all executive departments and agencies, in coordination with the Program and to the extent possible and permitted by law, shall promote and provide resources to support a National Moment of Remembrance, including:  

Encouraging individual department and agency personnel, and   Americans everywhere, to pause for one minute at 3:00 p.m.  (local time) on Memorial Day, to remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.”