Memorial Day weekend is upon us! What’s on your plate for this year’s holiday? Are you planning on plunging into a pool for the official kickoff to summer? Are you planning a backyard BBQ complete with hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, watermelon and the works? Maybe a little holiday float trip? While you’re enjoying your (hopefully sunny) holiday, it’s also a great time to sneak in a lesson on the history behind Memorial Day. For instance, have you ever seen those red poppies that the veterans sell? Do you know where the tradition to sell those red poppies originated?

When I was young, my family would pile into the car and head to Iowa. That’s where my cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles all lived. My grandmother on my mother’s side passed away before I ever had a chance to meet her. So, we would gather the extended family together and visit her gravesite, placing a huge beautiful wreath on her gravestone. I later found out that, originally, Memorial Day was called Decoration Day because of the flowers placed on the gravesites of soldiers.

When I think of my own history classes in school which I was forced to attend as a child, I remember my eyes glazing over as I listened to long, dry speeches about why I should care about my country’s history. It all seemed so long ago. It all seemed to have nothing to do with the here and now. But, in fact, the importance of Memorial Day does have a lot to do with the present. We have great opportunities to introduce our children to Memorial Day history in a fun, hands-on manner that they might even enjoy.

There will be traditional ceremonies, parades and band concerts held around the nation in various cities to honor our veterans. Attending any of these activities helps our children see first hand the importance of what these soldiers did in regard to the freedoms we enjoy. Before you head off to one of these festivities for the day, print off a flag coloring page or fun craft ideas for the children to color and enjoy as you talk to them about the history of Memorial Day.

While we know this day as the official start to summer and possible end of the school year, I’m confident you will take a moment to remember and share with your children the significance of those who died to give us freedoms that are bigger and more meaningful than corn on the cob, watermelon, barbecues and swimming pools. All of which, we will also be free to enjoy this Memorial Day.