Memorial Day 2019....Flags at Half-Staff and Honoring Our Dead

**The attached picture is from Alexandria (VA) National Cemetery. I visited there this week and took this photo for Memorial Day 2019**

Solemn Greetings Neighbors,

First, appreciate all those who came out to today's Memorial Day Remembrance and Flag Ceremony at North Park Village. We read a poem, heard taps, and read a beautiful piece from Gold Star Wife and Mother Kryste Buoniconti (https://www.military.com/spousebuzz/blog/2014/05/when-every-day-is-memorial-day.html)

Hearing the names of those spoken outloud who have given the ultimate measure of devotion to our nation is always sad, but for this year's ceremony, we also played a 21-gun salute afterward. This lent such power to the witness we bore to keeping their memories alive. And that brings us to what you can do on Memorial Day.

First, place your flags at half-staff from sunrise until 12 PM (noon). If you cannot place your flag at half-staff, you can add a black ribbon as shown in the photo.

Second, see the pictures and read the stories of those servicemembers in 2019 who are now deceased. You can do that here at the Military Times website: https://thefallen.militarytime...

Third, on Monday, Memorial Day itself, at 3 PM Chicago Time, observe a minute of silence. This will be done across the country and at all US military bases and naval ships at sea, so you will be joining millions of Americans saying it matters a lot to remember.

Finally, see the items below for other ways in which you can honor those who gave all and their families who continue in their mourning. In doing so, we let them know they are not alone, their loved ones are not forgotten, and the cause for which they all sacrificed so very much still matters.

For more information on Memorial Day, flag half-staffing, or flag etiquette, please contact me at jac.charlier@gmail.com. Big thanks to Dennis Paterka, a fellow veteran, and partner in doing our NW area flag ceremonies for the last seven years.

Observing Memorial Day 2019

Here are some suggestions, opportunities, and other insights...Hope you can do at least one!

For more information on neighborhood Flag Ceremonies, contact Jac Charlier at jac.charlier@gmail.com

• Pledge to support the widows, widowers, and orphans of the fallen. Do not neglect Gold Star parents, siblings, and others who grieve. Pray for them. Commit to supporting them in tangible ways. Learn ways to show your love and support. Support organizations that support the Gold Star community.

• Active duty military or recent veterans ~ Consider volunteering as a mentor for the TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) Good Grief Camps for children and teens. Learn more...

• Wherever you are, run (or walk) in honor of the fallen - Pledge miles online to be a part of a living memorial in support of wear blue: run to remember on this Memorial Day, 2018. You can also support Carry the Load by volunteering to walk or run in a round-the-clock national relay to raise awareness for Memorial Day. Check their website for more details.

• Watch Honor Flight: One Last Mission, a film about four living World War II veterans and a Midwest community coming together to give them the trip of a lifetime. Honor Flight the Movie is available on DVD from Amazon. With a portion of all proceeds going to flying more vets, you can help honor our nation's greatest heroes today. (May not be suitable for children.)

• Help your local veterans groups (VFW, American Legion, etc.) to replace worn out grave markers/flags of deceased veterans at your local cemetery. Some civic groups or Boy Scout or Girl Scout troops put flags or flowers on veteran's graves on the Saturday before Memorial Day. Consider your cemetery's guidelines.

• Visit a local or national cemetery. If you would like to locate persons with who were Medal of Honor recipients, visit this list of national cemeteries and click on your state. On the state page, choose a cemetery and under it, there should be a list for notable persons who are Medal of Honor Recipients.

• Take a moment to read, When Every Day is Memorial Day (a Military.com Spouse Buzz guest blog entry), written by a Gold Star spouse. Some gave all, and their loved ones experience the cost of freedom...in every moment... every day

• Pause at 3:00 p.m. local time for the duration of one minute on Memorial Day for the National Moment of Remembrance. This Memorial Day, IAVA will lay a wreath before the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and later pause for a moment of silence at 3 PM EST. Gather your friends and family across the country and pause with us for a national moment of silence to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.