Memorial Day Blog 2026

We had a beautiful day surrounded by family and friends as we celebrated Jack's birthday (hence the reason for this post arriving so late). However, we started the day with a special prayer for Memorial Day to pray for and acknowledge the sacrifices of those who gave it all. "Why is Memorial Day so important and what does it really mean, and how does that impact us as a military family with a husband and father who is a chaplain?" Well, those questions got me thinking, and here is where I landed...

It is on days like today that I am reminded why my husband’s ministry is so unique, special, and important.

Being a priest for soldiers—a chaplain—is to serve as a spiritual backbone for the

lives of those who serve our country. Just like a parish priest, pastor, rabbi, or other faith leader, a military chaplain is called to care for the spiritual needs of his people and all that this responsibility encompasses. Fr. Alexis has been entrusted with the care of more than 1,200 men and women within his unit alone.

Of course, he pays particular attention to soldiers both within our unit and across

the base who are Orthodox or inquiring about the faith. But when I think about our

role as an Orthodox military family, I am reminded that our calling extends beyond ministering only to those who serve in the armed forces. Part of our responsibility is helping bridge the gap between the civilian world and the military world—two worlds that often struggle to fully understand one another.

Our faith in Christ unites us beyond worldly divisions, yet we are also called to bear

one another’s burdens. Military life carries challenges, griefs, and sacrifices that

many people outside of it may never fully see or understand.

On this solemn day—Memorial Day—you will hear phrases like, “Freedom isn’t

free,” or, “Remember why you get to have that barbecue.” While these statements

are true, they only scratch the surface of what this day represents.

If you are part of a parish with soldiers or veterans, know that this day can carry a

very heavy weight. There is a good chance that someone standing beside you is

mourning the loss of a friend killed in combat. There may be a widow grieving a

husband lost to suicide after carrying wounds from war that he could not escape.

There may be a soldier silently struggling, barely holding on. There may be a young

mother praying constantly that her husband returns home safely.

Memorial Day has a way of bringing all of these memories, fears, and sorrows to the

surface. Yes, there are gatherings, barbecues, laughter, and celebration—but beneath them is

often a deep current of remembrance and grief. While all people experience sorrow in life, military members, veterans, and military families often carry these burdens alongside frequent moves, prolonged uncertainty, long separations, and the immense weight of standing between our nation and the realities of war. Some carry memories that will never fully leave them. Others have paid the ultimate sacrifice so that those around them may continue to live in

freedom.

On this Memorial Day, may we remember all those who have fallen asleep in the

Lord while serving and protecting our nation. May we also remember the families,

friends, and brothers- and sisters-in-arms who continue carrying both the visible

and invisible wounds left behind. And may we never take lightly the sacrifices made so that we may live in peace, worship freely, and raise our families in liberty.

Memory eternal to the fallen.