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What Does Memorial Day Mean to You?

Share your traditions for how you mark the holiday.

 
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Senator Mark Kirk, Senator John McCain and Veteran Neil P. Iovino from Highland Park, Illinois
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For some, Memorial Day is a solemn day to remember the men and women who died serving our country. For others, it’s a day of picnics and barbeques to celebrate the unofficial start of summer.

What does the day mean to you? Do you have any family traditions for how you celebrate — a trip to the cemetery, marching in a parade?

Please share your thoughts on the day and your favorite way to spend it in the comments below. We’ll pull together a sampling of responses for a story on Monday. If you’ve got a photo from years past that you’d like to share, please do by clicking the “upload photos” button above.

Related Topics: Memorial Day, Memorial Day 2012, and Veterans

Linda Iovino

2:09 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

What does Memorial Day Mean to me?

Memorial Day brings back special memories of growing up with the only hero in my life which was my Dad. Sadly he is no longer with us since his death October 4th, 2008. He was 90 years old. Each year without him gives more meaning to Memorial Day for me. My Dad was in World War II. He was a Marine and also was a prisioner of war for 3 years in the Phillipine Islands and was a survivor of The Bataan Death March. They made a movie called "Back to Bataan" with John Wayne and Anthony Quinn. My Dad with several other men who survived the death march are at the end of that movie. When we were children, it would always be on the Late Late Show and our Mother would wake us up at the end of the movie so we could see our Dad. They did not have DVD's in those days so if we did not wake up to see him we would miss our chance until it was on TV again. I know that I will be going to the cemetery to visit him on Memorial Day and also see other flags in the cemetery which represent other veterans that have served our country. I continue to pray for our Armed Forces that are fighting for our freedom today. Freedom is not free without our Veterans, If you happen to see a Veteran, thank him or her for their service. You will be surprised how much it means to them that we have taken the time to notice. By wearing a poppy flower is another way of thanking them for their service.

Sincerely,
Linda Iovino

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Jennifer Fisher

2:33 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Linda, thanks for sharing your dad's story. He sounds like an incredible man. Which suburb do you live in?

Linda Iovino

2:44 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Dear Jennifer,

You asked what suburb we live in? We live in Highland Park, Illinois. I posted a few photos of him in the PHOTO section.

Sincerely,

Linda Iovino

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Jennifer Fisher

5:42 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The photos are wonderful! Thanks, Linda.

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Chi-an Chang

3:05 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Linda, thanks for sharing this beautiful story.

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David Greenberg

5:15 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

To me, Memorial Day is an all-too-brief moment in time to reflect and remember the actions of all those brave and selfless souls who have come before me in defense of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Some were my relatives who served in many wars, some are my relatives who served in many wars, some are friends, and some are completely unknown to me - but still garner my thanks.

As you stand up to salute our flag passing by you during a parade this Memorial Day, be ever mindful of the meaning of the Red, White, and Blue.

Never forget.

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