Memories
Today I remember my grandfather — a man who fought in France during wartime and carried memories that stayed with him for the rest of his life. He told me stories about burying so many soldiers overseas, and even as a child I could hear the weight in his voice.
He wasn’t just a dentist serving his country. He was also a risk taker, a man with faith, courage, and vision. While serving overseas, he played poker and won a two-flat home in Chicago at 3133 S. Prairie Avenue. He returned to America not only with honorable service, but with homeownership, a beautiful wife, and a life that would bless generations after him — including his four sons, one being my Daddy.
My grandfather didn’t lose his life in the war, but part of him was forever changed by what he witnessed. I will never forget him telling me how important it was to vote and to remember those who died so I could remain free and never be treated as a second-class citizen. He always reminded me that I could do anything I wanted in this life and told me never to quit.
That’s why the phrase “Happy Memorial Day” never fully sounded right to me. So many families spend this day remembering loved ones who never came home. Behind every flag is sacrifice. Behind every freedom is a cost someone else paid.
Today, let us honor ALL men and women who gave their lives and sacrifices for this country. Let us remember the origins of Memorial Day and how remembrance first lived within Black American communities before becoming a national observance. And let us continue protecting freedom by using our voices, preserving democracy, and voting.
Freedom isn’t free.
#MemorialDay #HonorTheFallen #FreedomIsntFree #BlackHistory #Veterans #RememberTheSacrifice #Vote #AmericanHistory #MilitaryFamilies #NeverForge
Reflecting on my own family history, the story of a grandfather who served bravely in wartime and later translated his experiences into a life of sacrifice and resilience is deeply moving. His war stories about burying fallen soldiers overseas illustrate the emotional toll that such service takes, leaving lasting marks beyond the battlefield. Serving not just as a dentist but embodying courage and vision, he seized opportunities even under difficult conditions—like winning a home through poker overseas, which secured a stable future for his loved ones back home. It's important to recognize that Memorial Day is more than just a day of celebration; it is a profound remembrance of sacrifice, especially for families who lost loved ones who never returned. This remembrance originally stemmed from the Black American communities, which initiated honoring the fallen before it became a national observance. Knowing this history enriches our appreciation and solemn respect for the day. The phrase "Happy Memorial Day" might feel incomplete because it doesn't fully capture the depth of loss and patriotism involved. Instead, honoring the fallen should involve active civic engagement—remembering to vote, advocate for democracy, and use our voices to protect the freedoms others paid for with their lives. As my grandfather advised, valuing this freedom means acknowledging its cost and ensuring it never becomes taken for granted or treated lightly. Acknowledging certificates of recognition, such as one awarded to Alvin Grant for dedicated military service in the Armed Forces, highlights the importance of honoring personal contributions alongside collective memory. These tokens of appreciation remind us of the individuals behind the stories and the sacrifices made to maintain liberty. In sharing such personal histories and understanding the deeper meaning of Memorial Day, we can better appreciate our own freedoms and the responsibility we bear to preserve them for future generations.
