Memorial Day: Honoring Their Courage, Together
On this Memorial Day, we pause.
In the business of our lives—filled with routines, gatherings, and gentle joys—it can be easy to move through the day as just another long weekend. But at its heart, Memorial Day is a sacred moment: a chance to remember, reflect, and honor.
Today, we at Modern Prairie remember those who gave their lives in service to this country. Their sacrifice wasn’t abstract—it was personal. It was sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends, spouses, and neighbors. It was ordinary people who made an extraordinary choice to serve, and who never made it home.
For many in our community, Memorial Day carries deep emotion. Some of us have stories passed down through generations. Others have folded flags, worn photographs, or graves we visit in quiet. Whether your connection is personal or reverent from a distance, you are welcome here in this moment of remembrance.
We believe there’s something powerful in taking time to honor the past—in keeping traditions alive, and in remembering those who made our freedom possible. You don’t have to do something grand. Sometimes, it’s the small, intentional acts that mean the most.
Here are a few simple ways we’re honoring Memorial Day within our community:
Lighting a candle in the window at dusk.
Sharing stories of loved ones who served.
Placing wildflowers or flags at a local memorial or cemetary.
Cooking a family recipe passed down by someone we've lost.
Sitting in silence, holding space.
As a community rooted in connection and care, we hold this day gently, together. We extend our gratitude not only to those who served, but to the families who carry their memory forward.
If someone in your life has served — and especially if they made the ultimate sacrifice — we invite you to share a memory with us in the comments below.
A name.
A moment.
A lesson.
A photo.
However small or simple it may seem, your story matters. Their courage deserves to be remembered.
From all of us at Modern Prairie, thank you—for remembering, for honoring, and for walking with us in this moment.
With heartfelt appreciation,
The Modern Prairie Team
17 comments
My best friend joined the military when we were young. We were both from Annapolis and were Jr. Naval Cadets. She loved it and went far.
Our whole family served in the military on my Dad’s side. And my son and younger brother followed in their footsteps. People say “military” kid and I’m proud to be one-my Dad passed away a few years ago, but I hold his and those who have passed on, their stories alive. We owe them so much..and I’m so very proud of their service and kinship.
My brother PFC Francis J. Fagone served in the Marines Corps in the Pacific theater during WWII
In battle he saved his company and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Silver Star. I came along many years later and because of his service I learned to appreciate all who served to protect our country and our freedoms.
Before going in the Army, I thought about what that would mean. Thoughts were that: you’ll have to do things you don’t want to. Just because it was a time of peace, doesn’t mean your time in service will always be like this. Which mean you could be in a war, you may have to kill someone and you could die. I wanted to better myself. Tired of working more than one job to make ends meet. Final thought was my country was worth taking a chance. So I enlisted. Because of my journey while enlisted, I created a website to help veterans. femalebybirthpatriotbychoice.com.
My grandfather served in WWI. He returned home with shell shock and lung damage due to mustard gas poisoning, and didn’t live long enough for my father to know him. I have a beautiful photograph of him framed and hanging on the wall next to my grandmother, and I honor his service every Memorial Day.