Kids and Veterans on Memorial Day

May 30th, 2011

I think of Memorial Day as the start of the summer beach season. It wasn’t until my dear brother made a comment about “no one remembering veterans anymore” that I realized Memorial Day could be yet another “teachable moment” with my kids.

When I told my eight-year-old son we were going to watch the Veteran’s Day observance in Rehoboth Beach, he grumbled and groaned. I wasn’t surprised. What kid in his right mind wants to go to something called an “observance” when the sun, sand and boardwalk amusements beckon?

Maybe if he had known a veteran would give him one of the shells fired off in the salute, he would have argued less.

Perhaps if he realized that a World War II veteran would tell him, “Yes, I remember FDR! Of course!” it would make his first big oral book report — due this week —  that much more interesting.

Or had he known that a reporter for the local newspaper would interview him, my idea for the outing might have seemed more exciting.

But in the end, what mattered most to me was not the arguing beforehand, but what he said after the ceremony ended.

“Thank you,” he said to the veterans.

And to me, he said, “Thanks, Mom, I’m glad we came.”

What did you do on Memorial Day? If you didn’t observe the day with veterans, do you plan to next year? Please leave a comment and share!

— Lynn


6 Responses to “Kids and Veterans on Memorial Day”

  1. rhonda hurwitz on May 31, 2011 5:48 am

    Great reminder about what is important to remember and pass on to the next generation. Thanks, Lynn.

  2. Peter Caputa IV on May 31, 2011 7:57 am

    Very cool story, Lynn.

    We were lucky to get caught driving back home on Monday right when the parade was going on and got to see it from our car. While our 4 year old doesn’t quite grasp anything related to war and patriotism, he certainly enjoyed the fireman and veterans walking by.

  3. Lynn on May 31, 2011 7:49 pm

    Rhonda and Pete,

    Thanks so much for checking out my post. It was a lot of fun to write.

    Pete, my youngest is 4. Such a great age!

  4. Gene Deems on June 4, 2011 6:25 am

    Can you help Maryland State Parks by planting a virtual tree? For each vote cast, Maryland DNR receives $1 to plant trees in Maryland State Parks.
    Here is the link: http://www.odwalla.com/plantatree/_MD.jsp

    For the full press release and video please visit: http://dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2011/060311.asp

    Please share this great opportunity to help the Parks with your friends and family.

  5. Lynn on June 8, 2011 11:18 am

    Hope you get some virtual trees planted and money raised, Gene!

  6. Deb Loyd on November 16, 2011 4:35 pm

    I agree with your post here. It is important to share with our kids why this day is to be treasured and remembered. Having grandparents and parents who served in the war, I too made sure that my children knew the importance as they grew up. They always enjoyed wearing the poppy(we are from Canada) and they looked forward to it every year once they learned what their loved ones had sacrificed for them. My father won a purple heart and that was a great story to share for my son as he grew up and told all his friends and teachers.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS

Leave a Reply

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

Speak your mind

CommentLuv badge