Memorial Day Traditions

Today is Memorial Day.  Do you have any Memorial Day traditions?  

There seem to be a few in Salt Lake.  Many families get together on this weekend and visit cemeteries, and remember their departed relatives.  This activity is not exclusive to those relatives who served in the armed forces, although many did.  They take this time to honor and celebrate their loved one's life by sharing pictures, passing down stories, exchanging favorite family recipes, and participating in genealogy.  What fun!

Since I don't know anyone who is buried here, I tagged along with one family and learned about their ancestors.  (Goff and White)  Several other missionary sisters came with us. We were a group of seven, and had a wonderful time.   I have now been to the local cemetery three times, and have unique stories to share about each visit!

Visit #1: Church History comes to life.
Many know that our beloved President Monson lost his dear wife, Sister Frances Johnson Monson, ten days ago.  I was able to attend her funeral service in the Tabernacle.  It will always be a tender memory for me, because it was the first LDS-type memorial service I have ever attended.  The furthest thought in my mind that day was visiting her grave site, but I did.  One of the sisters found her resting place, late that day, and so as missionary sisters we decide to pay our respects.

No one was there, and we were relieved.  We did not want to intrude on this family's private time of mourning.  We stood there, reflecting on the day's events, and the things we learned about her life.  We read the ribbons on the lovely floral arrangements. I couldn't believe that we were with her!

A few minutes later, we met a man named David, who took our picture and began to tell us about other LDS members who were buried there.  He shared a lot of great information, and even a cemetery map, which soon led to an evening of grave hunting.  I don't know how much David knows about the Church, but he certainly knows a lot about its leaders!  I was surprised to learn that, although a long-time resident of Salt Lake, he has never been to the Tabernacle for Music and the Spoken Word.  So, we invited him to join us!  He was so excited that he also requested a tour of the Church History Library too.  Great!

For the next few hours, we walked around the cemetery in search of the "great ones".  We found many, and felt it was a great beginning to a new missionary project.  I am thrilled for the opportunity to study the lives of past Presidents, and then honor them in a very real and personal way.  I am going to keep track of the graves we find, and then read more about these people's lives.

Want to know whose grave sites we found?

 I also took pictures of a few other interesting site.  Look closely at Elijah Abel's headstone.  (I'm not sure if this info is accurate.) "The first African American to be ordained to the priesthood" AND was a General Authority of the Church!

I liked the signs some families made and placed on the sites for Memorial Day.  Genealogy on a stick!  What a great activity idea for FHE!