Each day takes you on a new path less known; lesser travelled. And each day, leadership outshines itself, treading that path with vision, wisdom, and humility. As Memorial Day draws nigh, and you sit to write a letter to your employees, comes one of those moments you’re reminded of a higher purpose to leadership beyond leading. Every word is contemplated with great care; words written with patriotism and pride, solemn gratitude and respect. Words written to heal and give hope. Written with love.
The importance of this letter is in that it:
Is Leadership at its Best?
It’s a Holiday with brimming eyes; an overwhelming range of emotions. To some, a celebration; long weekend out with family; a history lesson for children, and picnics; welcome, oh bountiful summer; to some, a cold hard winter of grief… Remembrance is harder on those who lost a dear one to war. And on the ones who held their fellows as they breathed their last for their country, saw them blown up to pieces, and came back home grief-stricken and re-living a nightmare, over and over for the rest of their lives, it’s the hardest. Focus is on everyone’s emotional wellbeing; an underlying understanding of individual feelings and memories stirred, of this small community we call ‘workplace.’
Informs of Activities Planned
This is where you would let your employees in on how Memorial Day will be observed by the company this year, and give general instructions on how to proceed with the preparations.
Memorial Day Letter to Employees
May 1, 2017
Re: Memorial Day 2017
My Dear Fellow Americans:
I address you today not as one CEO to his employees, but as one fellow American to another, as sons and daughters, wives and husbands, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, friends, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren of those who gave their lives so we can live in freedom, of those who waved the star-spangled banner, with their red blood, blue courage and leadership, and white purity of selfless souls.
To all the brave American men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service, a humble salute:
Thank you for your service! Albeit, for our gratitude and remembrance of your invaluable sacrifice, no words can suffice! We are eternally indebted to you selfless souls, and deeply humbled by your example!
As is our tradition here at (company), we’re holding a Memorial Day Picnic on May 29, 2017. I would like to see many of you volunteer for the grave decoration ceremony.
I am also honored to invite the veterans among you, and those whose kin died, those who are missing someone in action, and those whose loved ones are serving in the military, to let us honor you this Memorial Day, as you too are our heroes, for donning the garb of courage and showing up to work every day!
I have appointed our Head of Communications, Ms. Holly Michaels, to spearhead the Memorial Day arrangements. Please get in touch with her to discuss your respective roles in these arrangements, and sign up by May 6.
Let’s make it a day to remember!
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Jim Smith
CEO