Memorial Day 2019

Tilson's VP of Workforce, Adria Horn, an Army veteran, just wrote an all hands email to our team yesterday that really touched me. After a few tears on reading her note, I'll be spending the weekend with my family doing some happy remembering of fallen comrades, pictured above. Here is Adria's note:

“Dear Tilson,

This coming Monday, May 27th is Memorial Day and a Tilson observed holiday. Memorial Day is a federal holiday honoring those who have died while in service to our nation – it is always observed on the last Monday in May.

Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Today, you may see lots of people sharing pictures on social media of a friend or family member they’ve lost. PBS will air the National Memorial Day Concert at 8pm EST on Sunday which is usually a great show.

You may also see some people wearing a red poppy flower pin on Memorial Day. The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day was inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrea. War worker Moina Michael made a personal pledge to always wear red silk poppies as an emblem of “keeping the faith with all who died,” and began a tradition that was adopted in the United States, England, France, Australia and more than 50 other countries.

There are events big and small if you’re interested in participating. My daughters and I gather with a growing crowd at our closest Veterans Memorial Cemetery the Saturday before Memorial Day and put American Flags next to each grave marker. Ironically, it always seems to be raining and cold – a tangible reminder of the discomfort in sacrifice.

People sometimes say “Happy Memorial Day” and it feels a bit off for the true meaning of the day. But there is happiness in remembering, laughing at old memories and simply being grateful people are willing to even make the ultimate sacrifice for those they will never meet.

Join me in remembering someone you know. On this Memorial Day, I remember SGT Steven Reynolds who died in Iraq in 2006. SGT Reynolds was my Squad Leader. He drank Mountain Dew like water, smoke more cigarettes than anyone I’ve ever met and taught me everything I never wanted to know about German Panzer tanks in World War II. I am happy on Memorial Day remembering Steve and I look forward to hearing your happy memories.

Enjoy the long weekend and please be safe,

Adria”