How to Mark Memorial Day in a Meaningful Way

How to Mark Memorial Day in a Meaningful Way

Memorial Day has long been considered the unofficial start of summer, with Americans happy to kick off the season with backyard barbecues, the latest Hollywood blockbuster and long weekends at the beach or in the mountains. The day, however, was never intended to be all fun and games.

Established on May 5, 1868, as Decoration Day, Memorial Day in its initial guise was deemed a time for the nation to decorate the graves of Civil War dead with flowers. (It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country.) Today, Memorial Day serves as our annual remembrance of those courageous individuals who sacrificed their lives to secure the freedoms Americans continue to enjoy. While the weekend can still be about fun, here are a few steps you can take to make it even more meaningful.

Wave That Flag: There is no more fitting tribute to the fallen than busting out the American flag. Consider decorating your home, lawn or car with the red, white and blue to show your support on this patriotic day. If there’s a flagpole in your yard, raise the American flag up high, but be sure to lower it half-mast from dawn until noon as a sign of respect.

Take to the Streets: Whether as a participant or one of the crowd, Memorial Day parades provide an excellent way to revel in the American spirit. These festive community gatherings come complete with marching bands playing patriotic music, floats covered in stars and stripes, and all kinds of Americana. Wave an American flag and cheer for the participating veterans, active service members and patriotic organizations. Many parades conclude with a moment of silence or a special memorial service to remind everyone of the true meaning of the day.

Visit the Fallen: Acknowledge Memorial Day’s original intention by placing flowers and flags on military graves. Many cemeteries have designated areas reserved for these American heroes and Veterans Administration National Cemeteries across the country will be offering special Memorial Day services. These include wreath-laying ceremonies, speeches, color guards, bands, choirs and more. To find the national cemetery nearest you, go to www.cem.va.gov.

Moment of Silence: At 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, join the millions of Americans that stop whatever they’re doing to observe a moment of silence. This poignant pause is the National Moment of Remembrance, which was established to reflect on the integrity, courage and sacrifices of those who have fought to preserve American freedoms.

Visiting Hours: While Memorial Day focuses on those who have died, it’s also a perfect time to honor the many veterans among us. Plan a visit to a veteran’s hospital to help these brave men and women feel appreciated. Spend time talking with them and thanking them for all that they have done. Have your children bring cookies, cards and small gifts to the veterans to help the youngsters understand the real meaning of the holiday.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.