Solemn remembrance: The last Monday in May

“We pause to remember those who died,

with so much courage, so much pride.

They’ll never come back, but memories endure

to remind us of freedom: fragile and pure.

We’re worthy of their sacrifice, if we pause each day,

not just on the last Monday in May.”

These prolific words by John Bird of Birmingham, Ala., echo in the hearts and minds of most of our veterans, their families and loved ones, not just on our observance of Memorial Day, but almost every day.

Many of us grew up in all parts of this great country in eras when every May 30 was called Decoration Day. This was a special day to honor our family predecessors and to gather as a family to recall and enjoy memories of times past, when those who have been called home were icons in our lives. Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance unlike Veterans Day this fall on Nov. 11.

Many of us went to the family cemeteries to clean, mow and weed the gravesites, and pause to reminisce with stories from our parents about those who were resting beneath our feet and the events in our lives that they guided to the present. We were mindfully taught to also give special attention to the gravesites of those who died in military service and the importance of their accomplishments and the honor they so greatly deserved.

There are many who also felt additional pain and grief in a designated holiday that reminded them of the agony of lives cut far too short. They will always remember their fallen in a different way, the reoccurring thoughts and dreams of “what could have been.”

Regardless of the reasons and habits of the past, our current feelings about Memorial Day bring our thoughts to this upcoming day of commemoration, and there is still much to learn and play forward for all of us. We cannot truly feel accomplished in our gifted lives unless we realize the true meaning of passing along the legacy of our experiences, learning and wisdom to our children, grandchildren and others around us about our local heroes.

Many of us are already searching for ways to honor our fallen. Here are some suggestions on how everyone older and younger alike can help, starting this Memorial Day:

· Teach the meaning of Memorial Day to your children, no matter how young or old. This fifth Monday in May, to many military-related families, marks the meaning of the day that runs much deeper.

· Go to a Memorial Day event with your kids and family. Observe the Memorial Day Ceremony with reverence and explain the importance of remembrance and honoring our fallen. The annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be 11 a.m. Monday, May 30, at The Monument to Our Fallen, located at Front and Centre Street in historic downtown Fernandina Beach in front of the obelisk dedicated to the fallen from Nassau County.

· Teach your families about the commitments made and the ultimate sacrifices that our men and women have made for the freedoms we enjoy every day. It is a great opportunity to teach the meaning of honor and respect for our military.

· Visit our many survivors, those veterans who are in hospitals, care facilities and next door. Thank them for their sacrifices and service.

· Most importantly, teach and hand down the legacy of the history of your community and county; teach your children about our veterans and their values; become a student of history and ask questions; and find out about and possibly communicate with the families of our fallen who still reside here.

Memorial Day is not meant to be just a day in the calendar year, a long weekend to party, or for sales by mattress makers, furniture or cars. This coming Monday, instead, is a day of reflection, remembrance, tribute and the rendering of honors to those of us who have made the ultimate sacrifice. There are rights and freedoms we still have that were secured by their deaths and melodies incurred, then and now.