Two weeks ago at a Trinity United Methodist Church in McLean, Associate Pastor, Rev. Kathleene Card - who leads the weekly group discussion - introduced a topic that resonated with the church members: a need to honor what Memorial Day really represented.
She asked church members to submit old or current pictures of themselves and family members serving in military to display them around the church.
Len Holmberg, a veteran of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War is very supportive of this project. A church trustee, Holmberg has been a member at Trinity for over 40 years and he attended the weekly "Hot Topics" class where the idea was originally discussed.
A veteran of World War II, McLean resident Marvin Quinn was asked by Rev. Card to bring in a photo of his days as a radioman in the Navy. During that particular Hot Topics meeting, it was a common feeling "that the meaning of Memorial Day was getting lost," said Quinn.
Along with Rev. Card, the church's office manager Harriet Latta helped translate the project into reality.
"We sent out an email about the project and members steadily began submitting photos," said Latta. "People bringing in [the pictures] felt so honored of the recognition."
The walls around the sanctuary of the church are lined with black and white pictures of proud Americans who have served the country. The pictures date back to church members who served in World War II and are as recent as the current war in Iraq.
"I'd like the younger members of the congregation to see how many people have a military connection," said Holmberg. "Years ago [the church] put up a bulletin with names of members who served in the Armed Forces, but the pictures are even better."
SENIOR PASTOR REV. JAMES SPOUSE fully supports Rev. Card's idea for the Memorial Day project.
"This church has a lot of military people as members and we want to recognize their many forms of service," said Rev. Spouse.
A recent Sunday's sermon by Rev. Kathleene Card, titled "We Need to Remember," briefly mentioned the sacrifice of the members of the military, and how appreciative Americans should be for their service.
"After the service, she encouraged members of the congregation to go around the sanctuary and try to match the pictures to the members," said Latta. "It was almost like a game to see the younger members guess who's in the picture."
Although the display will be taken down after the Memorial Day weekend, as Rev. Spouse said, "It's always great to take time out to recognize."