The Power of Memorial Day

Our wish for our country and the world is Peace. Memorial Day reminds us to honor so many departed souls who also had peace in their hearts with love and laughter in their lives at one time!

Peace, Harmony, Laughter, LOVE ~ Heart Meditation words by Deepak Chopra

Both of us have memories of our grandfather proudly hanging a very large flag out of the second story window above his front door for all to see. But the flag did not go up until all of his family gathered on the upstairs landing for a “proper” flag hanging ceremony. It included a significant prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, time for quiet reflection, and singing. Marj and I watched in awe as our tall and strong grandfather had tears rolling down his cheeks every year as the flag went on the the pole hanging proudly.

We never missed the parade in that small town of Jonesville, Michigan where all the neighbors gathered at the cemetery for sounds of taps played by a talented trumpet player. I remember vividly when it was my turn to choke up and find tears rolling down my cheeks. It was in May of 2001 when my son Jacob played taps so beautifully standing alone on top of the hill overlooking the cemetery in another small town, Zeeland, Michigan. It’s a memory that filled my heart for years to come as I had to send our own son off to a war zone in Iraq. Were my tears that day of sadness, fear, or pride? It was a combination of all of those and many more. Who understands all of the emotions and memories stored in the hearts of people everywhere wishing for peace in our world.

I never really knew as a child what emotions were welled up in the heart of my grandfather. Was it stories from his parents about the civil war heroes? His own thoughts about World War I ? I knew they were likely about World War II or Vietnam when he had to send his own son, our Uncle off to war. He traveled the world becoming a 3 star general. He was the commander of the 1st Infantry Division in Vietnam. Such difficult times in our country. I know my grandfather’s fears turned to pride during many difficult times. Our grandmother died after many of these flag ceremonies we remember, well before the Vietnam Era.

Like countless before me, I can remember the pain landing directly in my heart as I melted down in tears after hearing my son had been injured and airlifted from Iraq to Germany for burn treatment. I was one of the lucky ones, because my son survived. So many young men and women today are remembering lost friends and comrades showing the same PTSD symptoms my son had to deal with upon return from war. Our hearts melt as we know in previous wars, there was not a lot of help to deal with very real difficulties following war trauma.

But, it was my son who reminded me on Memorial Day, “Mom, the holiday is not about honoring me as a still active Army Reserve man. It’s about honoring all departed souls and all those who suffered great loss from so many wars!” Wow…my son has such a grown up heart filled with love and compassion that shows in all he does. He yearns for peace and love for all people as much as any of us. He directs his compassion into helping the city of Atlanta as a police officer.

Life can be hard, I live the difficult road as a parent of a soldier, and yet there is great hope for a much brighter and more loving world!

I share with you my son Jacob and his two children Cade and Ellee. He shared their photo for an article on giving to community. It’s with pride I share!

 

Marj has some fabulous thoughts to share for all of us as she remembers the same small town of Jonesville, Michigan

The Memorial Day parade formed at the west end of town and proceeded through the two blocks of the “downtown” area, past the park, continuing down US 12 to the cemetery.  We sat on the front porch of family friends’ house waiting for the parade to arrive.  We joined as it passed our street, walking on the sidewalk and alongside the parade. As we approached the cemetery we could see the flags dotting the gravesites, honoring the people who had served our country in the armed forces.  Some had paid the ultimate price with their lives, others had returned to provide leadership for their communities.   The hope was, and still is, that the scars of being in war can be healed for all.

Our maternal ancestors are buried there in the cemetery, having come to Jonesville from Scotland via Ireland.  I always felt pride in the Glasgow brothers who farmed the land, providing food for settlers and seeking a better way of living.  Our paternal heritage went back to the Civil War, where General Turner Ashby served.  Each generation has contributed to the needed military actions of this country up to the present day.

Given the theme of the day – willingness to put one’s life on the line to protect our freedoms – it is helpful to reflect on what freedoms we are protecting; freedom from war and violence, the freedom to pursue our passions, contribute our gifts to the whole through our work and our loving actions given to others.  All of these opportunities to express ourselves in love create peace and joy for all the families, the villages, the towns, the farms, the cities, the countries, the beautiful land, all over the world.

What is it that will ultimately bring this peace about?  It is the emerging “new vision” and understanding of why we are here on Earth. This “new vision,” this newly recognized truth, is also very old.   We are here to understand that LOVE is the most powerful energy that we have to create peace.  LOVE is what will create peace here where we live.  We are here to learn that in ultimate reality, we are all connected. We are individual parts of one whole.

• It is the use of love that changes hearts and minds.
• It is relatively easy to stay loving when others act the way we want them too, difficult when there is disagreement.
• The realistic picture of life is that none of us are perfect, everyone is wounded, and most of us has been challenged by the cruelty of others.

A few days before Memorial Day, I was inspired by reading Day 364 in Marianne Williamson’s book A YEAR OF MIRACLES.  I had been thinking about the theme of forgiveness – a key to keeping peace.

“Forgiveness involves faith in a love that’s greater than hatred, and a willingness to see the light in someone’s soul even when their personality harbors darkness.  Forgiveness doesn’t mean that someone didn’t act horribly; it simply means that we choose not to focus on their guilt.    …We can look beyond others’ behavior to the innocence in their soul… which lies beyond their bodies.    In doing so, we not only free them from the weight of our condemnation, but free ourselves as well.  That is the miracle of forgiveness.”

 The day is coming when we will have an army whose purpose is to deliver peace.  We have already started.  An army that provides the basics of life – shelter, food, relief via forgiveness, freedom to attend to everyday needs, education, that restores a joyful community to live in.  It will restore their ability to contribute their gifts of work done in LOVE that brings peace.  LOVE is the most powerful energy.  Heaven can be on Earth.

Life continues to grow in love as we share that love with as many young lives around us, as we share memories too!

Love for our country and ALL of humanity!

Marj and Terry