The end of May brings with it Memorial Day, when we pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who served in the United States Military and made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and all of us. Their bravery, selflessness and commitment to our nation, in the most challenging of circumstances, deserves our deepest gratitude.
Reflecting on Sacrifice
As the sun rises on Monday May 27 and many Americans receive the day off from work, try to take the time out to recognize the true purpose of this Federal Holiday. The last Monday in May is most often associated with the unofficial start of summer and a time to enjoy barbecues and parties with family or friends in warmer weather, but the day itself dates back to just after the Civil War, as a time to lay flowers on the graves of the very many fallen soldiers.
In 1868, the first national celebration of Memorial Day took place at Arlington National Cemetery, attended by 5,000 people. Since 1971 Memorial Day has been an official federal holiday established by the government, with small American flags placed near all the graves in Arlington Cemetery and large parades in New York City, Chicago and Washington DC.
A Day of Remembrance
At Lifton Home Elevators, we join the nation in observing the significance of the day and its true purpose – reflecting on the lives lost in service to our country. Here are some ways you can observe Memorial Day:
Fly the Flag – proudly fly the flag at half-staff over Memorial Day weekend. Let the stars and stripes symbolize the unity, resilience, and gratitude of our nation.
A Moment of Silence – At 3pm be sure to stop and reflect in a moment of silence to honor our servicemen and women. Reflect on the courage and sacrifice of the fallen and the impact it has had on our lives today.
Lay flowers – follow the tradition of so many others before you and attend a memorial site or cemetery to lay some flowers. If there are young grandchildren in your family, encourage them to be part of this by starting this tradition in the hopes they will always recognize the importance of the day.
Honor a veteran – Reach out to a veteran or a military family member, even if you personally have served. Express your appreciation for their service to our country and perhaps extend an invitation to your own gathering to ensure they are recognized and appreciated.
At Lifton Home Elevators, we are committed to making life better for our clients. Our residential elevators provide independence, accessibility and safety. As we mark this holiday, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all our employees who contribute to our aims. Your dedication and commitment keep us striving to succeed and we honor the veterans in our organization and in the families of our employees as well as those amongst our customers.
This Memorial Day, we hope you are able to take the time to honor the fallen, show your support for our veterans and cherish the opportunities and freedoms that they fought to protect. From all of us at Lifton Home Elevators, we wish you a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day.
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