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Reflections on the True Meaning of Memorial Day

Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO

Shari's Berries

Sent on 26 May 2024 02:03 PM

This weekend, we welcome the unofficial start of summer by firing up the grill, opening our pools, and gathering outside with family and friends to embrace the return of warm weather. Were also celebrating Memorial Day, one of our countrys most solemn holidays.

The juxtaposition of revelry and solemnity is stark. After all, Memorial Day is an occasion to honor and remember those who have sacrificed their lives in military service. The holiday is deeply rooted in mourning and reflection, not pool parties and hot dogs.

But I believe there is a connection between the contradictory elements: The ability to gather with loved ones and enjoy our freedom is precisely what these brave men and women fought to protect. By doing so, it allows us to pay tribute to their sacrifices.

Make your celebrations more meaningful by combining revelry and reflection. Go to a Memorial Day parade and experience the joys of a community event or partake in a summer barbecue and reflect on the men and women who lost their lives for our freedom.

Sharing family memories of service

Memorial Day was, is, and always will be an occasion to honor the men and women who were killed while serving our country. Many also use the day to remember veterans who are no longer with us. We are rapidly losing whats considered to be our Greatest Generation. This year, for the first time, the number of World War II veterans still alive will fall below 100,000.

One of those we lost in recent years was my father-in-law, Bill Irwin Moore. Irk, as he was known to family and friends, flew a B-29 Superfortress for three years in the Pacific Theater before returning home to civilian life in Pennsylvania. He rarely spoke about being in the military.

That is until my oldest son, James, started asking him questions, which prompted Irk to reveal more about his role in the Army Air Corps. James went on to research his grandfather's service record and shared his fascinating story with our family.

Watching James talk about his grandfather became a teaching moment for all of us. Weve turned it into a patriotic holiday family tradition that involves assigning a research project on a family members service to one of our grandchildren.

During the holiday celebration, the family member reports back findings like James did so many years ago. Its a great way to keep memories and sacrifices alive on Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Veterans Day. I hope you will give it a try with your young family members.

Community remembrance

Memorial Day is an opportunity to be part of public acts of remembrance, like wreath-laying ceremonies and parades. They help unite us, reinforce our collective memory, and keep veterans stories alive.

These acts also provide a platform for educating younger generations about the history and significance of the holiday. Its one of the reasons why I admire Wreaths Across America, which every December places millions of wreaths at national cemeteries across the country.

The organization started more than 30 years ago when the wreath company owned by Karen Worcester and her husband, Morrill, had an excess of inventory. They decided to place the wreaths on graves at Arlington National Cemetery.

The act of kindness grew over the years, and now thousands of volunteers work every December to place wreaths on more than 3 million veterans graves. Very importantly, about a third of the participants are children and Wreaths Across America has turned its event into a very teachable moment. As Karen told me:

It goes beyond just placing the wreaths on the graves. The volunteers are there in-person, placing the wreath, and saying the name of the veteran out loud. It teaches the kids that this is something besides the stone.

Memorial Day weekend with all its contradictions is a teachable moment for all of us. It encourages us to consider the complexities of history, the impact of sacrifice, and the interconnectedness of our past, present, and future.

It reminds us of the ongoing responsibility to share this history with our children and grandchildren by teaching them the importance of honoring and supporting those who serve in the military and their families. And it calls us all to strive for a world where peace and freedom are cherished, protected, and celebrated.

All the best,

Jim

Planning for 14 weeks of summer

This weekend marks the beginning of the 14-week period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the unofficial start and end of summer.

The onset of any new season significantly influences our behaviors and attitudes. This time, we transition from limited outdoor activities to a flurry of summer fun, including swimming, picnics, sports, gardening, and various recreational pursuits. Longer days and more sunshine often lead to brighter moods and expanded social connections.

Earlier this year when I discussed New Years resolutions, I shared how I maintain a connections calendar. It serves as a reminder to reach out to family, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances I havent connected with recently.

As we welcome summer, it is the perfect time to review and enhance our connections calendars. These upcoming months always seem to fly by, so take the opportunity to update or create your own before time slips away.

Giving graduates momentum for the future

The months of May and June are peak graduation season. The ceremonies mark a significant passage in life and are a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our students.

But theyre also the perfect time to express our hopes and provide unsolicited advice thatll guide them on their next journey. Consider giving the gift of your experience and wisdom by sharing a story about what you learned after you left school. It can take the form of an in-person conversation, a recorded video, or a letter. Just make sure your story provides inspiration and direction as your graduate considers his or her next step, whether its entering adulthood, establishing a career, or starting a new academic journey.

As we honor our graduates, its also an opportunity to express our hopes for their future. Ask them about their plans for continuing to build on their success. What will be their next milestone? Who have been their mentors? And how will they go about staying connected with them?

Finally, dont be afraid to express your enthusiasm for their futures. The world can seem like a daunting place. By expressing your pride and encouraging them to set new goals, you can help ensure that their journey of growth and achievement continues.

How are new technologies reshaping the future of finance? According to Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange Group, it all comes back to the data.

Emerging technologies have vastly expanded our ability to capture, organize, and analyze financial data, helping brokers and investors make smarter choices, recognize trends, and operate more transparently. It is this type of data-driven approach that allows leaders like Lynn to make informed, careful decisions when applying new systems and software to one of the most critical financial centers in the world.

Lynn joined me on this weeks Celebrations Chatter to discuss her remarkable career from computer programmer to a leader of one of the worlds greatest financial institutions. We discuss what role data plays in her day-to-day, how the NYSE decides to adopt new technologies, and how tools like AI and automation will impact the future of work and the U.S. economy.

Please listen to the full episode and let me know your thoughts at .

A progress report on Sox

In the summer of 2022, my family sponsored a future service dog through Canine Companions, which trains the animals and provides them at no cost to veterans and people with disabilities.

For the next year and a half, Sox lived with his puppy raiser, Brooke, who provided initial training while updating me and the rest of the family on his progress. Back in February, he graduated from his initial training and moved to Canine Companions advanced training.

Like many of you who have sent family members off to college, I was curious to see how Sox is doing. Heres a status report:

Sox has just completed his first semester of professional training. His trainer reports that he has adjusted well to the schedule and is brushing up on the skills he learned in his puppy raiser home such as, lets go, sit, under, and jump. Hes been on one public outing to Lowes and was very comfortable in the new environment. Hes playful with his other dog friends in the play yard and has a great recall to his trainer. Sox also enjoys chasing toys (but hasnt quite mastered bringing the toy back!).

Way to go, Sox! Im looking forward to his graduation in a few months!

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Sharing a Letter from our Chairman & CEO

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The juxtaposition of revelry and solemnity is stark. After all, Memorial Day is an occasion to honor and remember those who have sacrificed their lives in military service. The holiday is deeply rooted in mourning and reflection, not pool parties and hot dogs.

But I believe there is a connection between the contradictory elements: The ability to gather with loved ones and enjoy our freedom is precisely what these brave men and women fought to protect. By doing so, it allows us to pay tribute to their sacrifices.

Make your celebrations more meaningful by combining revelry and reflection. Go to a Memorial Day parade and experience the joys of a community event or partake in a summer barbecue and reflect on the men and women who lost their lives for our freedom.

Sharing family memories of serviceMemorial Day was, is, and always will be an occasion to honor the men and women who were killed while serving our country. Many also use the day to remember veterans who are no longer with us. We are rapidly losing whats considered to be our Greatest Generation. This year, for the first time, the

number of World War II veterans still alive will fall below 100,000.

One of those we lost in recent years was my father-in-law, Bill Irwin Moore. Irk, as he was known to family and friends, flew a B-29 Superfortress for three years in the Pacific Theater before returning home to civilian life in Pennsylvania. He rarely spoke about being in the military.

Watching James talk about his grandfather became a teaching moment for all of us. Weve turned it into a patriotic holiday family tradition that involves assigning a research project on a family members service to one of our grandchildren.

During the holiday celebration, the family member reports back findings like James did so many years ago. Its a great way to keep memories and sacrifices alive on Memorial Day, July Fourth, and Veterans Day. I hope you will give it a try with your young family members.

Community remembranceMemorial Day is an opportunity to be part of public acts of remembrance, like wreath-laying ceremonies and parades. They help unite us, reinforce our collective memory, and keep veterans stories alive.

These acts also provide a platform for educating younger generations about the history and significance of the holiday. Its one of the reasons why I admire Wreaths Across America, which every December places millions of wreaths at national cemeteries across the country.

The act of kindness grew over the years, and now thousands of volunteers work every December to place wreaths on more than 3 million veterans graves. Very importantly, about a third of the participants are children and Wreaths Across America has turned its event into a very teachable moment. As Karen told me:

It goes beyond just placing the wreaths on the graves. The volunteers are there in-person, placing the wreath, and saying the name of the veteran out loud. It teaches the kids that this is something besides the stone.

It reminds us of the ongoing responsibility to share this history with our children and grandchildren by teaching them the importance of honoring and supporting those who serve in the military and their families. And it calls us all to strive for a world where peace and freedom are cherished, protected, and celebrated.

All the best,

Jim

Chris

Planning for 14 weeks of summer

This weekend marks the beginning of the 14-week period between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the unofficial start and end of summer.

The onset of any new season significantly influences our behaviors and attitudes. This time, we transition from limited outdoor activities to a flurry of summer fun, including swimming, picnics, sports, gardening, and various recreational pursuits. Longer days and more sunshine often lead to brighter moods and expanded social connections.

Earlier this year when I discussed New Years resolutions, I shared how I maintain a connections calendar. It serves as a reminder to reach out to family, friends, colleagues, or acquaintances I havent connected with recently.

As we welcome summer, it is the perfect time to review and enhance our connections calendars. These upcoming months always seem to fly by, so take the opportunity to update or create your own before time slips away.

Giving graduates momentum for the future

The months of May and June are peak graduation season. The ceremonies mark a significant passage in life and are a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the achievements of our students.

But theyre also the perfect time to express our hopes and provide unsolicited advice thatll guide them on their next journey. Consider giving the gift of your experience and wisdom by sharing a story about what you learned after you left school. It can take the form of an in-person conversation, a recorded video, or a letter. Just make sure your story provides inspiration and direction as your graduate considers his or her next step, whether its entering adulthood, establishing a career, or starting a new academic journey.

As we honor our graduates, its also an opportunity to express our hopes for their future. Ask them about their plans for continuing to build on their success. What will be their next milestone? Who have been their mentors? And how will they go about staying connected with them?

Finally, dont be afraid to express your enthusiasm for their futures. The world can seem like a daunting place. By expressing your pride and encouraging them to set new goals, you can help ensure that their journey of growth and achievement continues.

Shop 1-800-Flowers.com

How are new technologies reshaping the future of finance? According to Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange Group, it all comes back to the data.

Emerging technologies have vastly expanded our ability to capture, organize, and analyze financial data, helping brokers and investors make smarter choices, recognize trends, and operate more transparently. It is this type of data-driven approach that allows leaders like Lynn to make informed, careful decisions when applying new systems and software to one of the most critical financial centers in the world.

Lynn joined me on this weeks Celebrations Chatter to discuss her remarkable career from computer programmer to a leader of one of the worlds greatest financial institutions. We discuss what role data plays in her day-to-day, how the NYSE decides to adopt new technologies, and how tools like AI and automation will impact the future of work and the U.S. economy.

Please listen to the full episode and let me know your thoughts at .

A progress report on Sox In the summer of 2022, my family sponsored a future service dog through Canine Companions, which trains the animals and provides them at no cost to veterans and people with disabilities.

For the next year and a half, Sox lived with his puppy raiser, Brooke, who provided initial training while updating me and the rest of the family on his progress. Back in February, he graduated from his initial training and moved to Canine Companions advanced training.

Like many of you who have sent family members off to college, I was curious to see how Sox is doing. Heres a status report:

Sox has just completed his first semester of professional training. His trainer reports that he has adjusted well to the schedule and is brushing up on the skills he learned in his puppy raiser home such as, lets go, sit, under, and jump. Hes been on one public outing to Lowes and was very comfortable in the new environment. Hes playful with his other dog friends in the play yard and has a great recall to his trainer. Sox also enjoys chasing toys (but hasnt quite mastered bringing the toy back!).

Way to go, Sox! Im looking forward to his graduation in a few months!