Society

On Memorial Day, three stories of loss, redemption, and healing

Three people who lost loved ones to war honor those who serve and tangibly help others.

Sean D. Elliot/The Day/AP

Bob Arpin (l.) and Charlie Muscarella place flags by the graves of veterans at St. Mary's Cemetery in New London, Conn. on Thursday in preparation for Memorial Day.

May 29, 2010, 9:29 a.m. ET

The increasing number of homes with gold stars in the window, the sign that a military son or daughter has been lost, is a sad measure of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

But many who’ve lost someone also have found something redemptive in the loss – not only honoring those who serve but tangibly helping others as well.

It can be as simple as care packages to those serving in dangerous and uncomfortable circumstances. Or maybe it follows the dream of a fallen soldier. And as time passes, for some at least, it helps ease the loss, becoming part of their own healing.

Here are three examples this Memorial Day. Share your own at Facebook.com/ChristianScienceMonitor.

• One Marine's memorial: day of racing to honor veterans' service

• A Memorial Day machine: dirt racing for fallen Special Ops soldiers

• Care packages as a calling: a mother's Memorial Day mission