Proud To Be An American

Born on May 26, I often share my birthday with Memorial Day, which was first recognized nationally in 1868. Local observances honoring the many lives lost in the Civil War by decorating the graves of both confederate and union soldiers, had been happening for several years prior to the first national commemoration. 

Columbus, MS, Macon and Columbus, GA, Richmond, VA, Boalsburg, PA, and Carbondale, IL, are among twenty-five places named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day. In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, NY, the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. But a discovery by Yale University professor, David W. Blight, in 1996, suggested the earliest observance of Memorial Day was held by a group of formerly enslaved people in Charleston, SC in 1865, a year prior to Waterloo, N.Y. What matters most, it seems to me, is not who was first to commemorate those who had died, but that so many people in so many places in our nation, were determined to not forget the sacrifice that approximately 620,000 soldiers made. 

A soldier comforts a fellow soldier during the Korean War.

According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, the first national commemoration of Memorial Day was held in Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868. After speeches by dignitaries, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home made their way through the cemetery, spreading spring flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns. About 5,000 people attended the first national ceremony, which matches its attendance to this day.  

Memorial Day was not established as a federal holiday in our country until 1971. Often confused with Veterans Day, celebrated in November, both honor military service personnel, but Memorial Day commemorates those who died in military service while Veterans Day honors all who served in the military. After World War I, Memorial Day became an occasion for honoring those who died in all of America’s wars, and became more widely established as a national holiday throughout the US.

The extension of Federal holidays to create long weekends in 1971 and the commercialization of holidays throughout the years have played a role in weakening the original intent of this sacred day in our country. Memorial Day is known as much for great savings on large ticket home goods as for its focus on those who died in defense of our nation. Except, of course, to those for whom such deaths are deeply personal. 

Considering that an estimated 1.1 million soldiers have given their lives in war since our nation’s founding 250 years ago, and the sacrifice continues to this day, it seems vitally important for us to find ways “to put the memorial back into Memorial Day,” as the founder of the “National Moment of Remembrance Act” suggests.

In December 2000, Congress passed the Act that asks us to pause wherever we are at 3 PM local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence. Let’s do it! 

We might also tune into the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 24 at 8PM Eastern, to hear remarkable musical performances along with moving stories of a 102-year-old Pearl Harbor Survivorand a Lt. General who was at her Pentagon office 25 years ago when Flight 77 hit the building.  On the interactive website, https://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/, you can learn more about the concert (found on PBS, PBS App, PBS YouTube) and also leave a memory of a military hero you are remembering from the various wars. It inspires me to watch, knowing that our troops around the globe will be joining in by way of the “American Forces Network.” 

Recently, I attended the Naturalization Ceremony of 21 petitioners from 17 different countries in the Federal Court Building in downtown Tallahassee. Our friend, The Honorable Charles A. Stampelos, US Magistrate Judge, presided over the ceremony that was filled with sensitivity, meaning, and inclusion. 

The McKibbens were inspired by the Naturalization Ceremony that their friend, The Honorable Charles A. Stampelos, presided over on May 14, 2026. Members of the community and students are encouraged to observe these meaningful public civic events.  

Preliminary remarks from the bailiff included an announcement to the petitioners, that following the ceremony they could go to the third floor and register to vote. The Rev. Josh Hall, pastor of First Baptist Church, offered the invocation, which invited the presence of the Divine in a way that was both beautiful and inclusive. The presiding judge created a friendly atmosphere and reminded us the day was a day of celebration for all that the petitioners had achieved in passing the Naturalization Exam. 

Eric Welsh, the Assistant US Attorney for the Northen District, presented a motion on behalf of the 21 petitioners who had not only passed the difficult exam but also shown evidence of moral character and commitment to the United States. Judge Stampelos then invited the petitioners to share their name, country of origin, and the meaning of the day for them. 

Speaking in English, a man from Guatemala shared he came with a bag and a lot of dreams, one of which was being realized this day. A petitioner from Finland noted he had come 27 years ago and had been steadily working toward the dream of becoming a US citizen. The youngest among the petitioners shared his pride as a first-generation immigrant becoming a citizen. A person from Germany expressed his love of the diversity in the US, while a person from India expressed her gratitude for being made a part of this country.

As each petitioner spoke, the children in the audience made themselves known with their understandable childish play. Judge Stampelos reminded all, “Do not take the children out, they belong here.” It was a touching moment to me, reminiscent of Jesus’ admonishment to his disciples.

As was the moment when he said. “We are tolerant of diversity and welcome the oppressed and persecuted of all nations.” He looked with kindness at the petitioners and told them passionately, “You have earned the right to be a citizen.” He encouraged them to follow the Golden Rule and to live by the words of John F. Kennedy, who promoted not just speaking of liberty and freedom, but living it. After swearing the petitioners into citizenship through the Oath of Allegiance to the United States, Judge Stampelos ended with, “Welcome to our family.”  

His remarks were followed by those of the Honorable Nina Ashenafi-Richardson, County Judge for the Second Judicial Circuit. As an Ethiopian Judge and naturalized citizen, she shared an intimacy with those who had just sworn allegiance to the US. She described how she believes that the United States is a nation renewed by immigrants who keep the “American Dream” alive. She shared how her father had come to the United States as part of John F. Kennedy’s Peace Corp Exchange initiative as an ethnomusicologist from Ethiopia. 

He taught Nina that education is an equalizer and instilled in her that if you do not let fear hold you back, you can reach your goals. Her father, who was a professor at FSU, helped her to realize that there is no greater patriot than an immigrant, and Judge Ashenafi-Richardson affirmed the 21 newest US Citizens by proclaiming “there is no greater patriot than you.” 

She urged them, “Give back to a country that has given to you, by telling your story, the culture that you came from, not allowing your heritage to be forgotten. And by assuming the responsibilities of citizenship, including voting, jury duty, and becoming fully engaged in democracy.” 

After engaging all citizens, both old and new, in the pledge of allegiance to the flag, the colors were retired by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office Honor Guard and a Hebraic benediction given. The Honorable Charles A. Stampelos, of Greek heritage, invited all those who wished to the bench for a picture.

I felt as energized as I have in a long time about being an American and on this Memorial Day weekend have greater appreciation for my nation and those with whom I share citizenship. It is my prayer for us all to feel more passionate about being American citizens  and more hopeful about our country as we remember those who died for it.