Honoring Memorial Day
Author: Julianna Cooper, Challenge America Music Therapist
Today is Memorial Day, a day that is incredibly important to all of us here at Challenge America. While we know that remembrance and honor should not ever be contained to a singular day, we do want to pause and thank each of you for the service and sacrifices you have made to defend our freedoms. The individuals in this community share a deep love and loyalty for our country, and have sacrificially chosen to lay their lives on the line in a myriad of different ways to protect our nation.
We are forever grateful for your choice to serve - we know this service comes at a cost, and although our recognition cannot fully encapsulate the gratitude we hold for your sacrifices, we want you to know they will never be forgotten. Today and every day, we honor our fallen heroes, and we honor you.
We also know that today is a heavy day, as we honor, remember, respect, and grieve those who have lost their lives in military service defending the United States of America. We reflect on those brave and selfless individuals today with solemn gratitude.
We would like to share a few words below from one of our Challenge America Music Therapists, Susan Bock.
“Today we celebrate Memorial Day, a day to honor our fallen heroes. Many of you have personal experience with fallen heroes. You lost your buddies. It’s an indelible memory that has impacted you. Perhaps you have survivor’s guilt that has impacted you going forward.
Memorial Day is a day that you can personally honor those fallen heroes that you knew. You can honor them by acknowledging their sacrifice and that you had the privilege of knowing them. You can honor them by moving forward with your own life - continuing what they would have done. You can honor them by taking care of yourself to be of service to others. There is a reason your life was spared.
May you be proud on this Memorial Day – proud to have served your country alongside all fallen heroes throughout our country’s history, from the Revolutionary War to today, serving to protect and preserve the freedom that our Revolutionary War ancestors fought to attain.
May you take time today to practice gratitude for their lives and your life, and to be mindful of the gifts you have been given.
Music-wise, take in the patriotic songs that speak so well of the values we honor and protect as Americans. May you listen and sing with mindfulness and “new” ears as you honor our fallen heroes this national Memorial Day.”
We are so honored to have you as part of our community and hope to continue cultivating this incredible space of art and camaraderie. Take special care of yourselves today, and remember that you are cared for and supported by a network of Veterans in the Challenge America community with shared experiences.
