What Memorial Day Means To Me
When I think of Memorial Day, I’m drawn back to the stories my uncles once shared; stories forged in the crucibles of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. As a child, I couldn’t grasp the weight behind their words. Now, more than a half century later, I wished I had listened more closely, asked better questions and sought to truly understand what war was like through their eyes.
What once seemed like simple stories have become profound legacies, shaping my understanding of service, sacrifice, and the power of remembrance.
I can still see my Uncle Woody’s funeral like it happened yesterday. Etched into the memory of my heart, The American Flag draped with precision over his casket – union positioned at the head – over the left shoulder; as to pay her final respects – honoring my uncle for his service, his sacrifice. The weight of silence hung in the air, shattered only by the piercing cracks of the 21-gun salute. Each shot echoing through the cemetery – piercing my soul; each shot a final goodbye.
Since becoming a Guardian with BRHF and a volunteer with The Wall That Heals, Memorial Day has taken on a profoundly deeper meaning for me. I’ve walked alongside veterans as they’ve pivoted from The Three Servicemen bronze statue, to begin their slow, solemn descent down the path to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Wall, – each step, their reflections merge with the 58,281 names etched into the polished black granite – each name a life cut short, each one a silent testament to the true cost of war. As my veterans search for the names of their fallen brothers, I can feel the heavy presence of the war they once survived.
There’s a sacred stillness in those moments. You can see it in their eyes – the pain, the memories, the love for their fallen brothers and sisters in arms. Their posture shifts, their voices tremble, and time seems to pause as the weight of war settles once more onto their shoulders. It is in those moments that I’ve come to understand the true cost of service and sacrifice.
I’ve also stood beside families at the traveling Wall, The Wall That Heals, watching loved ones lay flowers, trace names with trembling hands and whisper messages to their loved ones who never returned home. These moments remind me that Memorial Day is not just a day of remembrance, it’s a solemn promise to never forget.
It is not about BBQs, and boat rides, nor is it about celebrating war; it’s about honoring the cost. It is a reminder that behind each life lost was a patriot, a hero, a legacy we inherit and are responsible for carrying forward as we remember. For me, it’s personal. It’s powerful. It’s a privilege and honor to carry their stories forward.
Lisa Marie Barrett, Director
