Memorial Day Weekend Begins

On Thursday, I kicked off my Memorial Day weekend with the celebration for the second year in a row. This year I had two students who participated in all the fun: one in kindergarten, and my oldest is in first grade.

Once again, it was a beautiful day. The weather was perfect. The students were all very well behaved. The veterans were lined up, all dressed neatly in their uniforms. Parents everywhere with cameras, calling out names to get pictures, waving with silly grins after getting the shot.

Students were the Master of Ceremony, which I find adorable. For the raising of the flag, Kiarah DeSouza, a kindergarten student, introduced her father Staff Sergeant DeSouza, announcing to the crowd "Here's my dad, and I'm really proud of him." I was glad I wasn't the only one wiping a tear from my eye as I looked around.

After a brief speech from the Staff Sergeant, he presented the flag to some young scouts and they proceeded to the flag pole to raise the flag. At that moment, my patriotic side came out in full bloom and started to suck in the whole morning.

For the second year in a row, my kids' school reminded me why we celebrate Memorial Day. Seeing the pride in that little girl's face when she introduced her soldier dad, the vets wiping tears at the end of the ceremony following Taps, and the students proudly singing patriotic songs, led by the famous Mrs. Frye (one of my kids favorite teachers) warmed my heart. Watching Mrs. Firth try to round up the selected students who read poems kept it lighthearted and fun, as she has that effect on the kids, and the parents.

For two hours yesterday, I was proud, grateful, and smiling. The day didn't end at the ceremony. This is Memorial Day weekend. I have more time to enjoy it. But I'm thankful that I could start it by being reminded why we have it.

As my son got into the car yesterday he was so excited, "Mom, mom, I want to be a soldier like the ones we saw today. Do you think I'm brave enough?"  "Buddy, bravery is being afraid of something and doing it anyway."  "Oh, I'm brave enough mom. I'm going to be a soldier like the one we saw today." 

You do that little man.