Make Memorial Day Meaningful

I'm a pretty good shopper, so I know that Memorial Day is a great shopping day. But I'm also the child of a proud military family, and I know that we need to make holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans' Day more than just another chance to buy things on sale.

My family has served in the military dating back at least four generations, so I can truly appreciate the sacrifices made by those men and women who have fought so courageously in defense of freedom. Getting deployed changes a family irrevocably, and the veterans returning with injuries -- both the obvious physical ones as well as the invisible psychological ones -- and their families so need our support.

That's why I decided to become the national spokesperson for Beyond Tribute, the first-ever nationwide grassroots initiative specifically focusing on using Memorial Day and Veterans' Day to raise awareness and funds for research, treatment, and support for Armed Service veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and other neurological afflictions.

I recorded a short video promoting Beyond Tribute, and I encourage you to watch it. But the most important thing any of us can do is sign the pledge to shop at Beyond Tribute business and event partners over the holidays.

By Veterans Day, we hope to be able to raise significant money for veterans in need from the very businesses that usually capitalize on these solemn holidays. But before businesses will sign on, they need to see that people are committed to truly honoring, and actually helping, former service members.

I'm honored to have the opportunity to do something that helps the hundreds of thousands who continue to suffer the wounds of war long after the fighting on the battlefield has ended. They deserve our thanks, but most importantly, they deserve our help as they struggle to reclaim their lives.

Sign the Beyond Tribute pledge today.

 

Comments

[michaleenflynn]

03:51 AM on 05/22/2009

Signed the pledge, and fwded it far and wide.

Thank you, Kim!

[MANK]

11:48 PM on 05/21/2009

Every American should at least one time in his or her life visit each war memorial in DC then attend the Memorial Day Concert while sitting on the steps of the Capitol. If you don't have a tear in your eye and a lump in your throat at the end of the day, the flag is a rag.

[TigersEye]

11:19 PM on 05/21/2009

Great post, thank you for this reminder of what Memorial Day really means (as much as I love to shop). I signed the pledge and forwarded it to various family members. The majority of the men in my family have served in the military for many generations, this is a great cause and I'm honored to help.

[TigersEye]

11:52 PM on 05/21/2009

(And you're my absolute favorite in SATC! Mario is hysterical, too.)

[brandalucia]

05:46 PM on 05/21/2009

Ms Cattrall, you are, as always, a class act. That you take the time to address the needs of these military members and families - it is commendable. Well done .

When will we see you again on screen? I still weep at your beautiful portrayal in MY BOY JACK. It gives me chills now just remembering how moving your Emmy worthy performance was...BRAVO!!!!

[Recessionista]

03:36 PM on 05/21/2009

This is very cool! I'm so glad I found this on Huff Post. I will post this on my blog, The Recessionista, to shop at Beyond Tribute business and event partners over the holidays.

[OdinsEye]

02:08 PM on 05/21/2009

Kim,

Thanks for taking up a great cause and a great message without getting into muckraking, fingerpointing, blamegame politics.

//sign//
Retired military combat vet (OIF, OEF, ODS)

[oldGunny]

01:16 PM on 05/21/2009

"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their country."
- President George Washington

Thanks and God Bless you

[MajorKong]

01:09 PM on 05/21/2009

Well done. Thank you.

21 years of service, USAF and ANG.

[Rosey25]

12:32 PM on 05/21/2009

Thank you, Ms. Catrall!

[Pema]

10:54 AM on 05/21/2009

memeorial day is for those who have passed. such as my father. vets still with us have veterans day. lets not let the ones who have left us get lost in a new idea. lets try to do both.

[sparky09]

10:28 AM on 05/21/2009

Being a veteran myself, I thank all who sign this pledge from the bottom of my heart. As for Miss Cattrall, I just fell in love all over again...Very classy lady...Thanks again...

[Ed Urbanowski]

10:18 AM on 05/21/2009

We still take too much for granted and we still put the burden on too few. I will pass this along.
Well done, Kim.

[iameasilyannoyed]

09:28 AM on 05/21/2009

Awww... now I like her more than ever! Will forward to as many people as I know!

[ProudConservative]

07:38 AM on 05/21/2009

Thank you, Ms. Cattrall. As a 10 year Marine (Vietnam combat veteran), I truly appreciate your efforts. Keep up the good work, classy lady!

[Uselessboy]

11:57 PM on 05/20/2009

Great idea, and a perennially under-served need. You'd think after a billion wars we might learn.