Memorial Day
Words by: Maggie Laubscher | Music by: Abby Yemm
Image credit: Steven Watson of @thepieddogwalker
Every Memorial Day in America, we pause and remember those who’ve died fighting in our military. It is so many of us, too! We had to look it up to be sure: it’s well over a million people, according to PBS.org. And so, we remember. It’s what we all want from our lives - to be remembered. And for today, we focus on those who fought for our own lives and our daily freedoms.
Today at 3 p.m., pause your day to remember. That’s when the National Moment of Remembrance hits, at 3 p.m. local time. And to those who have served our military, we want to say and repeat: we see you, we salute you, and we thank you.
Below are some traditions of Memorial Day, beyond a BBQ and a Sephora sale :). Enjoy and be well, Nellies.
1) Hang a flag -- This tradition is the obvious choice: hang a flag, y’all! It’s pretty, it’s art, it’s patriotic. And while the flag has been co-opted of late to be divisive and a representation of the far right, it doesn’t need to be. To us, the flag means democracy and justice and that our vote matters. So here’s to Kamala being in office and the American flag. Hang that flag and honor our military.
2) Ask a veteran about their fellow soldiers -- This tradition is one we can personally recommend. But with the caveat of doing so cautiously. Not all veterans are ready to talk about their war experiences. But if and when they are, it’s worth sitting and listening. They all have stories, and they all have losses. Let a veteran talk about their fellow soldiers who they lost. Ask their names and remember.
3) Visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial -- With one of the best views in Kansas City, plus lovely grounds for picnicking and the like, the WWI Memorial is one of our favorite spots in Kansas City. The nonprofit museum & memorial is stunning, with visitors entering the museum across a glass bridge above a field of 9,000 red poppies. The memorial grounds’ North Lawn also has a ‘Tree of Peace’ planted in honor of those who fought and died in World War I. (One Nellie caveat: J.C. Nichols was a strong supporter of the museum’s Liberty Monument. So, like many things in Kansas City, he had his hand in it. While we don’t condone anything about Nichols, we do condone the larger meaning behind the National WWI Museum and Memorial.)
4) Honor the 3 p.m. Moment of Remembrance -- The National Moment of Remembrance is at 3 p.m. local time, wherever you are. It’s a moment to stop whatever you are doing and say a private prayer or thank you to soldiers who have died fighting for us.
An Abby Yemm playlist for you…
A playlist created by Abby Yemm
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