Memorial Day is a time to honor the brave men and women who have served and sacrificed for our country.
While parades, ceremonies, and the display of flags are well-known traditions, another meaningful way to commemorate Memorial Day is by exploring your family’s genealogy. Learning about the military history of your ancestors not only keeps their stories alive but also deepens your personal connection to this sacred day.
Genealogy offers a unique lens for honoring those who defended our freedom. By researching your family tree, you may uncover relatives who served in wars across generations, from the Revolutionary War to modern-day conflicts.
Many families have stories that have been passed down through word-of-mouth but lack documentation. Genealogy allows you to verify, preserve, and expand on those narratives.
My passion is researching my family’s military history. A few years ago, in early 2020, I sent off a request to the National Archives in search of my father’s (Floyd R. Smith) military records.
I knew from family stories that he served in China in World War II. I already knew that my request for records might be futile.
On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. Because of this fire, I had to request records from reconstructed records for a fee of $25.
I sent in my request, but then – Boom…. COVID.
Two years later, I received a copy of his “Certification of Military Service” and a very damaged copy of his discharge certificate. It somehow survived the fire.
Unexpectedly, about six weeks later, I received a package with replicas of all the awards and decorations he received. I was very appreciative of the Archives’ efforts and a sense of pride in my father’s service.
As we celebrate America’s 250th, we should honor all those who served and those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for this great country. Consider ways to honor them as part of your Memorial Day observance. This could mean visiting their gravesites and leaving flags or flowers, creating a family history display that highlights their service, or sharing their stories on social media to inspire others to remember.
