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Show Appreciation
There are many ways to show appreciation for those who lost their lives in military service on Memorial Day. Check-in with Veterans of Foreign Wars and local cemeteries to see if there are local cemeteries in your area that could use help with wreath and flag laying. Arlington National Cemetery is home to the Tomb of the Unknown, which is guarded every day with a wreath laid in front of it.
Donate to Memorial Day Flowers, supporting flowers being laid on Memorial Day.
The Veteran Affairs Organization National Cemetery Administration typically hosts public Memorial Day ceremonies in national cemeteries on Memorial Day. Volunteers can place flags in front of Veteran headstones in the days prior to Memorial Day. There are more than 120 national cemeteries across the nation. Check for events near you here.
Plan ahead and support Wreaths Across America. Wreaths are laid every December through this organization. You can donate year-round with funds and offer to volunteer to lay wreaths at the cemeteries across the country in the month of December as part of National Wreaths Across America Day.
Learn
Plan a trip to a local history museum to learn about the history of your area and America. Learning about what has happened and what lead to those activities shapes understanding.
Check out a National Park near you to learn and experience the history of the park.
Wear a Poppy
The red poppy came to symbolize the blood shed during wartime battle described in the poem In Flanders Fields by LT Colonel John McCrae. Wearing the poppy is a symbol of remembering those who lost their lives in military service. If you don’t have a poppy to wear, fashion one out of paper to wear in honor.
Celebrate Together
When military service members serve overseas, they are doing it for their family and their country. They want to protect their family members from harm. Like Steve Rogers said in Captain America when Dr. Erskine asked him why he continued to try to serve despite being told no many, many times. “I don’t like bullies. I don’t care where they’re from.” Service is not for themselves. When a military member passes, they don’t want their loved ones to stop celebrating. Memorial Day is a day to reflect on the losses of America, but it is also a time to celebrate what we do have. Get together for a meal with your friends. Plan an elaborate barbeque if you want to. Don’t avoid it, do it in the service of remembering them and celebrating their life.
Watch the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS. The 90-minute concert is a combination of tributes and performances. Avid military supporter Gary Sinise will perform along with the US Navy Band Sea Chanters, The US Air Force Singing Sergeants, the US Army Chorus, and the US Army Herald Trumpets.
