Welcome back to The Sunstone Way, and Happy Memorial Day.
Actually, “Happy” isn’t quite the appropriate wish for Memorial Day. After all, it is a day set aside to remember those who have died in the service of our country as part of the armed forces. So maybe have a Meaningful Memorial Day would be more fitting.
This unofficial beginning of summer began as Decoration Day in 1868. That’s when General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, set aside May 30 as a day to put flowers on the graves of all the soldiers who died in the Civil War. The tradition gradually grew to include the states of the Confederation, honoring the 600,000 who lost their lives in that bloody war.
Remembering Sacrifice
Thanking those who have served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and now the Space Force has become a staple of America. The phrase “Thank you for your service” has become the expected greeting to those in uniform or upon finding out someone has served in the military.
And there are days, official and unofficial, set aside for those thanks. There is Veterans Day on Nov. 11 and Armed Forces Day the third Saturday in May, when the active-duty military is celebrated.
Memorial Day is special. It is a time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their, our, country. These are the true-life superheroes who have kept our democracy alive.
This is dedication to community writ large. No one I know wants to go to war, but when the community is threatened, heroes step forward. Some do not come back.
Life of Service
There is a reason joining the armed forces is called military service. With very few exceptions, those in the military are serving others, not themselves. They are expected to be willing to lay down their lives if necessary to protect the country.
Those we honor on Memorial Day have done just that.
It’s fitting to remember those sacrifices and the people who have offered them up. I would add that the families of those who didn’t come home are serving the community too, suffering through the pain of loss. If giving up your life is the ultimate sacrifice, giving up your son or daughter, your husband or wife, is a close second.
Inspiration For Us
No one I know wants to die in war. But the actions of those we honor on Memorial Day certainly inspires many of us to live a life of service. For me, that means putting the well-being of others in my community ahead of my own well-being.
It doesn’t take a lot to fulfill that goal. Volunteer for a charity, mentor a student, coach a Little League team et al. and you are helping others succeed.
In the broader sense, creating an environment where others can thrive surely qualifies as service. Providing the tools needed to build a house, or build a business, or build a life – and the instruction to properly use those tools – is serving others as well.
Making a little sacrifice for the good of others honors the ultimate sacrifice made by those we commemorate on Memorial Day. And it is good for the community we live in.
Memorial Day Every Day
The sacrifices of others that allow us to live the lives we do should always be before us. I know I am forever grateful for those who have paved the way for me.
It follows that we can, and should, make sacrifices as well. I hope you, or I, don’t have to die for our country. But I also hope you, and I, remember Memorial Day in a way that causes us to be of service to our community and our country.
Because that’s The Sunstone Way.
And remember, always be a Sunstone!
John Keisler
CEO & Managing Partner
Sunstone Management, Inc.
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©Sunstone Management, Inc. 2024
More About Sunstone Management
Sunstone Management is a diversified private capital sponsor firm headquartered in Southern California. Identified by Financial Times as one of America’s Fastest Growing Companies three years in a row. In the latest Pitchbook rankings, Sunstone Management was #15 in the third quarter of 2023 nationally, and #18 in the fourth quarter.1
- Rankings from Pitchbook Venture Monitor, Q3 and Q4.