to my american friends, happy memorial day weekend! to my non-american friends, memorial day is a us holiday to mourn and honor the men and women who have died while serving in the armed forces.

i grew up helping my grandpa with his annual american legion memorial day programs. grandpa was the american legion post commander for over 30 years, it was a big part of his civilian life.

we would walk through the cemetery the night before the program and put little american flags at each veteran’s grave. we would help put the american flags up along main street. and we would sit around the table watching grandpa write his yearly program.

grandpa’s program was usually the same:

but even though it was usually the same, it was a way to stop, reflect and give thanks to those who have fought so we can live in a free country. how are you giving thanks to those who served?