This is a repost of what we normally do each year for Decoration Day. This year we are moving and so we hope to be able to run by and pay tribute, but will not be able to spend the time that we have been able to every year.
When I was a teenager I had the opportunity to live with my Grandmother in Iowa. I still remember it as the best year of my life. I learned so many things from her and got to know her like I never would have had the chance to. She taught me how to cook, how to clean, how to be on time, what it really means to take care of a house and yard, and showed me many things that I consider traditions. My Grandma never misses the opportunity to visit the grave sites of our family near where she lives. My Grandfather served in World War II and was a prisoner of war.
My Grandma called Memorial Day, Decoration Day and now I do to. Decoration Day started in the South by some strong Southern women. At the end of the civil war, a group of them went out at the end of May and decorated the tombstones of the civil war solders, both North and South. Some didn’t have tombstones of family to decorate so they decorated the ones they could. Many women left what little they had, scraps of fabric and wild flowers. They did it in hopes that someone would be decorating the graves of their loved ones buried far away from home. The tradition grew and was renamed and a National Holiday was born.
But along the way we have lost much of the tradition. So many of us now are transplanted and have no family around to visit, and flowers to leave on grave sites. The spirit of the Day can still remain, don’t loose this tradition. Take your children out and explain what it is all about, visit a veterans cemetery and let them lay flowers on any grave site that they like. Adopt a Grandparent that served in the military, or look for family names similar to yours. Keep the spirit of Decoration Day alive.
This year we “adopted” the parents of a good friend of mine. The Groves were two of the kindest and nicest people you could have ever met. Brother Groves served in two wars and raised a beautiful family. Sister Groves was a gracious and supportive wife who was stunningly beautiful. They lived their lives in a way that I can only hope to live mine. I am so thankful we were able to go out Monday and visit. It was such a spiritual experience for my little family and created such neat conversations with each of the kids, we are more determined then ever to not let the spirit of Decoration Day slip away.
Part comedian, part Dad, part athlete. He will boss around your children while they play ball.
Just as angelic as she looks, this girl could easily raise a Village by herself, and all the children would grow up to be President.
Self proclaimed, she would be a webkinz dog. Because, "they're cute, and puppies are too. And they're sweet and they always get along with other puppies."
This mini-Martha Stewart can handle ANY craft you send her way. She isn't all bows and rainbows, she's got karate kid moves!
Not "Pick-Me-Up" like caffeine, she wants you to pick her up! AND NOW!
Anything that can be destroyed WILL be destroyed!
Practically Perfect in Every Way for now! Nicknamed "The Panda" she is rolly polly and lives by the motto, "the little one, is KING!"
The resident Labradoodle, Miller got his name because Mom won and got to name the baby! Need something chewed up? He'll take care of it. Especially if it's expensive..
What a wonderful tradition. It teaches the kids how to think of others. You have inspired me to do this with my family too!
I would have gone if I knew y’all were still at home when I called…
Paul is live-on the blog cam!!!
I had never heard of the term “Decoration Day” until I read your post. Then, I turned on the Today Show and Kathie Lee Gifford just explained the tradition of Decoration Day!
This is a great tradition. I was just thinking the other day that most people in this area are away from their loved ones resting place. The Woodlands cemetary is so new. This would be a great tradition to do around here and to carry out for years to come!
While what you do is admirable, Memorial Day is a day set aside to honor those who have DIED in service to our country. Veterans Day is to honor all those who have served. And we should honor those who are and/or have served every day.
Your right, that is why we choose to take the kids to the cemetery to honor those people who have died.
We have an old cemetery here in Cameron…it is called “Cameron Pioneer cemetery”. Last year they had beautiful wild flowers that had grown in the cemetery and we took our kids there to take pictures in the wildflowers, while there my sister-n-law noticed a tombstone for an “Unknown Soldier” and a tombstone for a civil war soldier, they put flags next to the headstones. This year she invited us to go out and change out the flags for new ones, I brought my daughter who plays the flute and we sang the national anthem at each of the sites as we put flags next to their headstones. This is a tradition that my brother and his family started, but I hope to continue to be involved with it as the years go by. It is such an honor to pay our respects to 2 soldiers who obviously don’t have anyone to do it for them anymore. (For whatever reason).
My grandmother also called it Decoration Day. You talking about it brings back wonderful memories of my grandmother. I lived with her on and off most of my younger years. Thanks for a great message.
I have never heard of this before but it a beautiful tradition! I always talk to my children about our country and the war and the brave soldiers who are on the battlefield today for our freedom. We put up a flag in the front of our home to remind them why they had the day off from school. Its not about BBQs or going to the lake, but about remembering! I will take this with me and start this with my children! 🙂
I also paid a visit to Houston National Cemetary this Memorial Day weekend, my family went to visit my father’s grave and placed flowers as we do every Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. My father was a wonderful, fun-loving man who always brought a smile to everyone’s face. My children have learned of honor and respect through our visits to his grave and this magnificent cemetary.
Hi!
My maiden name is Groves and I’m pretty sure I have your two Groves in my family tree.
That’s so sweet of your family and I know us Groves’ are grateful 🙂