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Monday Motivation | May 25, 2026

Memorial Day is More Than a Long Weekend

A sacred moment at the airport is a moving reminder of the freedoms we often take for granted.

“They’re just too in their own world to really care.”

While heading to the final speaking event of a very full, very hectic year, I found myself doing what so many of us do this time of year: rushing.

It was a tight connection through a crowded terminal at DFW. As I hurried from one gate to the next, weaving through travelers, rolling suitcases, coffee cups, and glowing phone screens, I happened to glance out the window.

There on the tarmac stood a white hearse beside an arriving plane.

Two fire trucks arched streams of water overhead in a ceremonial salute. Three American flags waved high above a small color guard. Eight active-duty service members stood silently at attention. Nearby, a grieving family waited: two older parents, a young woman, and two children holding flowers tightly in their hands.

Everything else kept moving.

Planes landed. Bags rolled by. Travelers rushed toward vacations, meetings, and holiday weekends. Life moved forward.

But in that moment, my heart ached and time stood still.

One other man stopped beside me. We stood in silence for a while before I said, almost a whisper, “Man, everybody’s missing a sacred moment.”

He looked at me and replied, “They’re just too in their own world to really care.”

His words move me then.  And they stay with me today.

My friends, the truth is, Memorial Day can become just another busy day on an extended weekend if we’re not careful. A day for a cookout, a lake trip, a baseball game, or a mattress sale.

And yet, Memorial Day is far more than that.

It is a sacred reminder that every freedom we enjoy was purchased at a tremendous price.

Someone’s son.

Someone’s daughter.

Someone’s husband.

Someone’s wife.

Someone’s mom.

Someone’s dad.

These were men and women who stepped forward for their country, fought for freedom and laid down their lives for it. And each day we all benefit from their sacrificial courage.

So today, before you fire up the grill, head to the lake, gather with friends, or watch the fireworks, pause long enough to reflect on the cost of the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Speak to your children about why this day matters. Thank a veteran who served our nation. Remember the profound sacrifice of those who never made it home. And the grieving families still carrying the weight of their loss.

It’s just too important not to care.

This is your day. Live Inspired.

 

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38 replies on “Memorial Day is More Than a Long Weekend”

Thank you John, for reminding everyone what this weekend was all about. I would also like to add that to me, Memorial Day is really on May 30th, the very day I lost my dearest high school freshman boyfriend who later became like the brother I never had, until May 30th, 1968 when he lost his life in Vietnam at only 19 years old. That was the year that Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act changing Memorial Day to the last Monday in May. Although it was not enacted until 1971. Just last year a Vietnam Vet told a group of us that instead of saying “Thank you for your Service” as we all have been doing to the Vietnam Vets, please say instead “Welcome Home” since they never received that honor! I do that now….please pass it on…you are my new hero!

More than you could possibly know John. You are an inspiration to me as I navigate family challenges. I’m reading your Mom’s book to gain strength and perspective as I try to lead my family during a challenging season.

I hope you meet you and thank you in person someday for your strength and positivity. Until then, sending you hugs and gratitude for who you are and the light you shine. God bless you and all the folks who make your work what it is.

Amen! Start singing the “Star Spangled Banner” again at sporting events. Be proud of the country we live in and the freedoms we have that a lot of countries don’t because of the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice!

I was very moved yesterday, Memorial Day, by seeing an American flag at every tombstone and all of the families visiting their family member at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Brought me to tears seeing my dad’s tombstone stating that he was a WWII veteran with a Purple Heart and a deer grazing nearby. Such peace!

John,
Thanks! I served in the U.S. Army for 22 years active duty as a medic and loss some friends along the way. Thank you for taking to time to mention the reality of what you seen and still witness today. Most people don’t have the time to care about service members, because they are too busy focusing on anything and everything else to care about the sacrifices made and time loss with family and loved ones that service members easily give up to preserve the American way of life. But, the sad reality is, this is nothing to overlook, especially when those same people overlook the sacrifices of Jesus Christ, which is the greatest sacrifice of all for all.

Thank God for His mercy, grace, and unconditional love for all!

Thank those veterans for their respective and collective grace and unconditional love as well.

So very true! And John you are right – you witnessed a sacred moment! Thanks for sharing – I will pass this on!

Thank you for this John. Each of us need to be sure that the next generation knows what Memorial Day is and who it honors.

John, this is a beautiful reminder. Thank you for making sure I slow down today and consider the tremendous sacrifices that were made for our freedom. I never want to be too busy to miss a sacred moment.

So true. I called my son today from DFW airport to see how he was doing. It’s not a day he celebrates it’s a day he mourns the loss of brothers and sisters lost he endured fighting in three wars. It’s a day he questions why he’s still here. It’s a day he sits quietly in his home fighting off the demons of those awful days of evil. Thank you for reminding others – for many it’s not a happy Memorial Day it’s a day of sorrow and sadness.

Amen! Thank you for bringing that to the forefront of what Memorial Day is truly about.

Stop, don’t miss the moment, say a prayer of thanksgiving for the gift of freedom… it certainly is not free!

Thank you for a powerful picture that says exactly what today is about. It is a sacred moment that touches sacred memories and sacred sacrifices. If we hold this sacred moment in our heart … can we nonchalantly put another soldier in harms way? If all life is sacred, do we look for better solutions that respect the dignity and value of all lives? It is a sacred time for sacred choices!

Truer words were never spoken John! Thank you for stopping me in my tracks and making me take stock of the price paid for my freedom, and my salvation!

I read this moments after my husband and I prayed with our grandson not only for our day trip but to also remember why we get to enjoy such freedoms of being able to pray in public and a day at the lake. It just takes a moment out of our busy lives to remember and reflect with gratitude for those who fought for what we get to enjoy.

Thank you, John for the beautiful reminder. To remember those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice is a sacred memory and prayer.

What a beautiful story and one that we should ALL remember….to honor those who have served and currently serve in the military!

Thank you for taking the time to stop and recognize the reason for the “holiday” and for understanding the profound sacrifice so many Americans make each day. Holidays celebrate and on this holiday we need to celebrate the brave men and women that chose to protect the freedoms of all Americans. Thanknyou.

Thanks John. I beautiful tribute to why we never forget the sacrifices others made on our behalf and we didn’t even mention Jesus Christ. O my, we are blessed indeed.

Thank you for this. My thoughts this day. This Memorial Day weekend, we remember all who gave their lives in service to our nation — and we also pause to honor the 13 American service members killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan at Abbey Gate on August 26, 2021.

They were sons and daughters, friends, teammates, leaders, and heroes.
Their service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.

As we gather with family and friends this weekend, may we remember the cost of the freedoms we enjoy and the brave men and women who stood in harm’s way for others.

Honor them.
Remember them.
Say their names. 🇺🇸

#MemorialDay #NeverForget #HonorTheFallen #GoldStarFamilies #Afghanistan13

John, thanks for your thoughtful reminder to all Americans of who we should stop and remember today.

Well done John, I have witnessed the same years ago when I was traveling. I struggle with HAPPY Memorial Day. Happy just does not seem correct but I haven’t come up with a proper replacement. Thank you for reminding people what the day should mean to us. 👍

Amen! For years this holiday was just another one for me. But upon reflection it is only because of the ultimate sacrifice that we are able to enjoy memorial day. Thank you John!

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