As Memorial Day approaches, many of us fire up the grill, plan family gatherings, or enjoy a long weekend of rest and relaxation. But beyond the food and the hopefully sunshine, there’s a deeper story—one that begins with Black Americans and a powerful act of remembrance that deserves to be told again and again.
In May 1865, just weeks after the Civil War ended, newly freed African Americans in Charleston, South Carolina, organized what many now believe to be the first Memorial Day ceremony. They gathered to honor Union soldiers who had died fighting for their freedom. These men, women, and children held a parade of over 10,000 people. They sang hymns, brought flowers, and built an archway that read “Martyrs of the Race Course.” It wasn’t just a moment of mourning—it was a declaration that Black lives, Black grief, and Black gratitude mattered.
It’s a story I return to often, especially when I’m reading to children. Because remembrance isn’t just for the past—it’s a tool for building the future. And books are one of the most powerful ways we do that.
Reading aloud to children isn’t just a sweet bedtime ritual; it’s an act of love, of connection, and of empowerment. It gives children the words to express themselves, the empathy to understand others, and the confidence to see their place in history. I want to share a few books that share the history of Memorial Day.
A Day for Rememberin’, by Leah Henderson, bring to life the origins of Memorial Day through the eyes of a young boy witnessing that first Charleston ceremony. It’s a beautiful reminder that history isn’t just something we read about—it’s something we carry, pass on, and continue to shape.
The Wall, by Eve Bunting, takes us to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, where a boy and his father search for a name etched in stone. It’s a quiet, powerful story that reminds us how memory can live in both silence and storytelling. Reading this book aloud opens space for children to ask questions, share their feelings, and begin to understand the complexity of loss and honor.
And then there’s Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, which tells the story of the visionary behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Her work teaches us that honoring memory can take many forms—through art, through architecture, and yes, through words on a page.
When we read aloud to children—whether it’s about the heroes of the past or the artists who help us remember them—we’re doing more than telling a story. We’re helping our children build a world where every voice matters and every history is honored.
This Memorial Day, as we remember those who gave their lives, let’s also remember the power of story. Let’s read together, speak their names, and teach our children to carry the torch of memory forward—with pride, with compassion, and with purpose.
Love. Teach. Bless. 