As we celebrate Memorial Day, I have been bothered and down right angry at the general population's and media's understanding of the day. Memorial Day is to honor our Fallen Soldiers, those who paid the Ultimate Sacrifice. Although I always understood the meaning of the Holiday, (Jon and I used to cut school to attend local Memorial Day ceremonies while we were in high school), but it did not hit home (personally) for me until 2003 when our good friend Leif Nott was killed in Iraq. Since then we have known so many more Soldier's who have Sacrificed so much. In fact our country has lost close to 6,000 promising young men and women in the last 10 years. So now each Memorial Day is a special remembrance day for us in the Chavous household.
As we spend the day attending BBQs or going to the beach, and I am not chastising those who enjoy the great weather or a chance to get together with friends, I ask that you do so with Perspective that there are Families that will never enjoy a BBQ or a day at the beach with their loved one. Please remember those who Sacrificed for our freedoms.
I leave you with a ceremony that is included at military formals and functions as a way to honor our Fallen Soldiers. I think that it is appropriate to use this ceremony during anytime you want to remember and honor the Fallen on special occasions. It is certainly appropriate on Memorial Day to honor them and we have used this at several Memorial Day picnics.
I am forever grateful to Leif and the thousands of other Servicemen and women who Sacrificed everything for my Freedom. Special prayers of peace for their Families this day and everyday.
It is the Fallen Soldier's Table:
Members of the Mess, as you entered the hall tonight, you may have noticed the small table, set for one, in a place of honor. This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that members of our profession of arms are missing from our midst…
They are unable to eat with us this evening, so we remember them for their ultimate sacrifice and their dedication to a grateful nation…
This table, set for one is a small symbol of the frailty of one Soldier alone against his oppressors and the singular life given in defense of our Nation. .
The tablecloth is black, symbolizing the darkness and mourning we felt as our brothers fell in battle…
The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms…
The single rose in the vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our Comrades-in-Arms who keep their memories alive lest we forget…
The red ribbon tied so prominently on the vase, is a reminder of the blood shed to protect the liberty so loved by our country…
A slice of lemon is on the bread plate, to remind us of their bitter fate…
The spilled salt on the bread plate is symbolic of the families’ tears as they learned of their loved ones fate…
The white candle symbolizes the purity of those comrades who fought for our nation…
The glass is inverted; they cannot toast with us this night…
The chair is empty; he is not here…
Remember, all of you who served with them and called them comrade, who depended upon their might and aid, and relied upon them, for surely they have not forgotten you.
It is our hope this night, that with pride and honor, they will hear us as we toast their ultimate sacrifice to their Country’s call to arms.”
Members of the Mess, I propose a toast to our fallen comrades”
All: (Silence)
