The Connector: Edition 118

May 21st, 2025 | The Connector

As we head into Memorial Day weekend, I wanted to take a moment to reflect, not just on the extra day off, or the beginning of summer, or the backyard barbecues, but on why this day exists in the first place.

Sometimes we’re so fortunate and blessed to live in this great country that it’s easy to forget how we got here. We live in a world filled with comforts and conveniences: clean water, electricity, abundant food, and the freedom to speak, work, and live the way we choose. But none of this came without sacrifice. None of this was free. And Memorial Day is our annual reminder of the cost.

Growing up, my father would take us to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. It was an amazing experience to see such large ships when you are a little girl.  My father had a special pass because he served in the Navy during World War II. I still remember them giving us flag pins that I still have today!  My dad was on a ship for nearly two years, and although he didn’t talk about it all the time, when he did, I was all ears. I loved asking him questions about what it was like. I’d say, “What did you do on the ship? What were your friends like?” And he’d share stories that, even now, stay with me.

My dad worked in the ship’s store and was responsible for inventory and accounting, keeping track of supplies and ensuring everything added up. He was a stickler on making sure I knew my numbers!!  But one story always gave me chills. He told me that one night, while they were anchored in the middle of the Pacific, there wasn’t a ship in sight. But when he woke up the next morning, they were completely surrounded, so many American ships that you couldn’t even see the water. They were preparing for war with Japan.

That was also the day that President Truman gave the order to drop the atomic bomb. My father, just 18 years old at the time, fell to his knees and prayed. He prayed and thanked God for sparing his life. Think about that for a moment. Eighteen years old. While most of us were just trying to decide where to go to college or what to study, he was out in the middle of the ocean, confronting the reality of war, and thanking God simply for waking up alive.

That kind of gratitude and sacrifice is what Memorial Day is truly about.

And those lessons stayed with me. I remember how my father always, without fail, put the American flag out on Memorial Day. Also on Flag Day, July 4th, and Labor Day, any day where honoring this country and its symbols means something. He was never one to forget. He took the time to display the flag properly, raise it in the morning, take it down before dusk, and fold it the right way, never letting it touch the ground.

Sadly, we don’t see as many flags on front porches these days. Somewhere along the line, we’ve gotten a little disconnected from those rituals. Maybe we’ve forgotten what they represent. And I get it, life is busy. There are a million things to juggle. But that’s exactly why Memorial Day exists. It asks us to pause. To remember. To honor.

So, this year, I want to offer a gentle reminder and maybe a small challenge to us all, both personally and professionally.

Let’s remember the flag.
Let’s remember what it stands for.
Let’s remember those who gave everything so that we could enjoy this long weekend with our families.

This isn’t just a day off. It’s a day of reflection, remembrance, and gratitude.

And if you’re lucky enough to fly a flag, fly it proudly. If you have kids, talk to them about what Memorial Day means. Share your own stories. Maybe even share this one.

Because the more we pass along these memories, the more grounded we stay in what matters.

We are so fortunate. So incredibly fortunate to be in this country. And while no nation is perfect, the freedoms we enjoy, the opportunities, the liberties, the ability to gather and celebrate, are sacred. They were paid for with courage, with honor, and yes, with lives.

We owe it to those who served and sacrificed to remember them, not just once a year, but especially on this day.

I hope wherever you are this Memorial Day, whether you're at a cookout, the beach, or just spending time with loved ones, you take a moment to pause. Maybe raise a toast to those who can’t be with us. Maybe share a story, say a prayer, or simply give thanks. That’s how we keep their memory alive. That’s how we continue to honor the very real, very personal sacrifices made on our behalf.

And if you fly a flag, do it with the same care and pride my dad showed all those years. Fly it in the morning. Take it down before dusk. Fold it with respect. Because for him and so many others, that flag wasn’t just fabric. It was a symbol of what he had lived through, prayed for, and believed in.

Let’s pass that spirit on. Let’s fly the flag. Let’s remember the fallen. Let’s be grateful, not just for a day off, but for a life that others gave everything to protect.

May your Memorial Day be filled with peace, gratitude, and pride in the freedoms we hold dear.

-Marcia Zaruba O'Connor