Five Things to Say on Memorial Day

Note: I wrote this post for Memorial Day 2013, in response to some sentiments expressed in the military families community, to help the very civilian community in which I live understand those sentiments. I hope it helps.

So it's finally here. It's the day that many people view as the unofficial "First Day of Summer." People spend time with friends and family, barbecue, and generally have a good time (because who doesn't love a Monday without work??). So it's commonplace to here people say "Happy Memorial Day!" I actually heard it on the radio just this morning.

Here's the problem: amid all of the family, fun, celebration and sales, we often forget the actual purpose of Memorial Day. That is, people not directly affected by it do. Military families never forget. People who have lost husbands, wives, parents, siblings, or children fallen in war do not forget. And many of them get very upset (some my might say livid) that the rest of the population seems to have forgotten. And one major trigger for these feelings? "Happy Memorial Day!" 

I'm on the Communications Team for the Military Spouse JD Network. Hearing this understandable undercurrent of hurt and anger from our community, we worked together to create this graphic to express the sentiment we were feeling, and how many people in our community feel. And it's now been seen by over 14,000 people, and shared hundreds of times; people have even made it their profile picture. Apparently many people remember that Memorial Day is a day to remember. 

In my experience, these snafus are totally unintended. So in order to help you avoid an uncomfortable situation, I give you my top five things TO SAY to people this Memorial Day, especially people you know have military connections:

1. We celebrate freedom, but we remember the cost.

2. We appreciate the sacrifices of our veterans and their families. 

3. We love our military and their families. 

4. We remember, today and every day. 

5. Thank you.

There are many other ways to express this sentiment. Please feel free to add your own in the comments section below.