Observe Memorial Day Weekend
Observed yearly on the last Monday in May, the American holiday of Memorial Day was established not long after the horrors of the Civil War in the United States, in which more than 600,000 soldiers (both Union and Confederate) fell in battle. Over the years it has become a day to honor all the men and women who have given their lives to the cause of freedom.
Steps
- Fly the flag of the United States of America at half-staff. The approximate time is from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day. Keep the U.S. Flag higher than your state, county, or establishment flags. Traditionally, the American flag is the highest, the state flag is in the middle, and all others are beneath them.
- If you have novelty flags, considering removing them temporarily out of respect for this day.
- Participate in events in Washington, D.C. if you live in the capital or can Experience Washington, D.C. for Free. Tour some of the city's many memorials to fallen heroes, and attend the always-poignant ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. Ask for a tour where applicable. Make close speculations to the paintings and statues. These will show what our honorary soldier's lives were like and the looks of the Appreciate the American Civil War and other conflicts since then.
- Attend a local ceremony if you cannot make the ones in Washington. The information will be in newspapers and posted on government and citizen information websites.
- Take in the National Memorial Day Concert on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. If you can't make it in person, tune into the PBS (and in military bases, AFN Television) broadcast of the performance by the National Symphony Orchestra and a crew of special guest artists. Hosts are Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, and has been airing since 1990.
- Join in the observances at a military base or cemetery near you if you can't make it to Washington. Check your local paper, or call the closest military base, American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars post to find out what's happening and when. Showing up for anything will illustrate to others and yourself that you are patriotic and considerate about the efforts made by others to defend the country.
- Remember those who fought and lived to tell about it: Take some flowers, books or cookies to a nearby veterans' hospital. Make your own cards; these come direct from your heart to theirs and that's a great expression of your respect.
- Continue a classic tradition. Put flowers and flags on the graves of departed friends and family – civilian as well as military. If you live far away from the final resting place of anyone you knew, decorate the grave of a stranger. Everyone has their own way of expressing their concerns and respect. Your tradition may mean more to you than visiting Washington or putting up the United States flag.
- If you would like to sponsor a thank-you bouquet , you can do so through the National Memorial Day Foundation at http://www.memorialdayfoundation.org. On Memorial Day weekend, the bouquet you've sponsored will be placed at war memorials on the Mall in Washington, D.C. Consider dedicating the bouquet to a loved one who died in service of our country.
- Have your annual beginning-of-summer fun, or spend the three-day weekend at your favorite getaway spot. However, during this time, be sure to take a little time out from fun and games to reflect on the day's real meaning and the fact the costs of ensuring freedom.
- Feel pride and respect on Plan a Last Minute Memorial Day Weekend Getaway. Even though you know that soldiers died for our nation's freedom, you have to remember that they died so you could have the freedom to lead a fulfilling life. They died for our well-being and living your life to the fullest will make their goal come true.
- Observe a moment of silence at 3pm, your local time. To ensure that the sacrifices of the United States' fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law The National Moment of Remembrance Act. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3pm local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
- You might wish to write your congressional representatives to request consideration of restoring May 30th as the official Memorial Day regardless of when it falls. A number of veterans feel that always observing Memorial Day on a three-day weekend is disrespectful.
- Search for parades. If you have a child, they may like a Memorial day Parade. The atmosphere of the parades is something people of all ages will enjoy. If in Washington, D.C. (as mentioned earlier) there's the National Memorial Day Parade (held since 2005) which serves as the national parade for the occasion. It's aired nationally on Reelz if you're not able to be there for the day.
- Look for fairs. Memorial Day is a typical day for fairs and the whole family can come along and enjoy the day out together.
Tips
- You can participate in the "adopt a grave" program as a class or a family. Take care of a grave by leaving flowers there regularly and keeping it clean and free of debris.
- Consider making a donation on this day to a charity that supports the spouses and children of soldiers who have been killed in combat.
- The first national celebration of Decoration Day took place on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery. After speeches by dignitaries, some 5,000 people, including Civil War veterans and children from the Soldiers and Sailors Orphan Home, walked through the cemetery reciting prayers, singing hymns and strewing flowers on the more than 20,000 graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.
- There have been many disputes concerning the birthplace of Memorial Day. Approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried. In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the birthplace of Memorial Day.
- In 1868 Major General John A. Logan declared that there should be a day for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. May 30th became known as Decoration Day.
- Tell your kids and/or family members to honor the yearly tradition as well. If they develop a habit of honoring memorial day now, then they will most likely teach it to their children and Memorial Day will have more meaning to America.
- Alongside with honoring the past soldiers, honor the current ones too. All military personnel deserve respect.
- Prepare. It doesn't matter if you want a big barbecue or a small one, be prepared. Buy soda, hot dogs, burgers, etc.
Things You'll Need
- U.S. flag
- Flowers for a grave
- Local ceremony
Related Articles
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- Celebrate US Armed Forces Day
- Celebrate Independence Day
- Throw a Fourth of July Party
- Decorate a Grave for Memorial Day
Sources and Citations
- Partial source of article, Howcast, http://www.howcast.com/videos/217550-How-To-Remember-Soldiers-on-Memorial-Day. Shared with permission.
