Reflecting on Memorial Day: Balancing Business and Personal Tributes

As Memorial Day comes and goes, many businesses mark the occasion with sales and special events, signaling the unofficial start of summer. However, while these activities are a staple of the holiday, it’s important to remember the deeper significance of Memorial Day—a time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

With my experience as a Chief Marketing Officer for public and private companies and a CEO for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, I understand the balancing act required on this holiday. It involves driving sales, giving employees time off to be with family and friends, and fulfilling our patriotic duty to remember those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom.

This year, my daughter and I had the privilege of participating in commemorative activities with Girl Scouts from several Service Units, which provided us with a profound reminder of the true meaning of Memorial Day. My daughter had the opportunity to be one of the girl leaders for this year's Memorial Day flag planting and veterans tribute. I also had the opportunity to reflect as a Girl Scout troop leader, finishing up my fifth year and following in my mother's footsteps as a troop leader, as our troop bridges to Cadette level for next year.

Members of the Girl Scouts of the USA gathered at Gates of Heaven Catholic Cemetery in Los Altos for the annual Memorial Day ceremony. The Girl Scouts served as ushers and distributed programs to attendees, contributing to the solemnity of the tribute to Veterans, which was followed by a Memorial Day Mass. Interestingly, while the cemetery had planned for 400 attendees, only about 200 people attended the ceremony this year, a notable decrease from the 800 attendees in past years.

Before the Monday service began, the Girl Scouts took the initiative to straighten flags that they and members of Scouting America had placed in honor of veterans the previous Saturday. This small yet significant gesture underscored the Scouts' dedication to honoring those who served.

Under the guidance of Barbara Burbach, a committed Service Unit leader, and the leadership of Junior Girl Scouts Maddie Love and Skyla Keyashian, the girls showed their deep commitment to this meaningful tradition.

One of the most poignant aspects of the day was when each Scout spoke the name of the veteran aloud before placing a flag at their gravesite. This act of remembrance highlighted the importance of acknowledging each individual's sacrifice. Additionally, the Scouts had the privilege of hearing stories from veterans like Tom Wright, an Air Force veteran of World War II, which enriched their understanding of the day's significance.

The encounter with Teresa Vu Nguyen, who shared the stories of her father and grandfather's service in the South Vietnamese army, added a rich layer of personal connection and history. These interactions gave the Scouts a broader perspective on the diverse experiences and sacrifices of those who served.

Reflecting on this experience, I believe it is more important than ever that businesses find ways to balance commercial activities with meaningful tributes. Encouraging employees to participate in community service or providing time off to attend memorial events are simple yet powerful ways to show our respect and gratitude.

This Memorial Day illuminated deeper thoughtfulness in our #GirlScouts and re-ignited for me the importance of pausing, reflecting, and connecting to honor our Veterans' legacy and instilling these values in future generations. By doing so, we honor their memory and we enrich our communities and our own lives.

Please share your #MemorialDay story in the comments.