14 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day

If we're not careful, Memorial Day can devolve into BBQs and ball games. It's so much more. In this Memorial Day UPGRADE, Dawn Wilson encourages us to look once again at the purpose for this day, and become more creative and intentional in celebrating it.

"Yes, I know... Memorial Day isn't about thanking soldiers who serve today," I told my friend.

"But I like to include them into my  'thankful mix' while not forgetting the original purpose of this super-special day."

I hope that's your heart too.

Here are 14 ways to celebrate Memorial Day this year.

1. Educate the Kids.

Explain to children and grandchildren what Memorial Day means—why it was created.

The first Memorial Day was celebrated in 1868. A Union general declared May 30 as a special day to decorate graves of fallen Civil War soliders, and after the first World War, Memorial Day became a national holiday to honor Americans fighting in ANY war for America. President Richard Nixon declared the last Monday in May a federal holiday in 1971.

Don't confuse Veteran's Day (November) with Memorial Day. On Veteran's Day we honor all who have served in the military.

You might also teach children about the American flag, or say the pledge of allegiance together—explaining what the words mean.

2. Take a Moment to Remember.

The National Moment of Remembrance was established by Congress to facilitate Americans pausing as an act of national unity at exactly 3 pm (local time) on Memorial Day to remember the fallen. Some people pause for one minute.

Take part of that time to praise the Lord we still live in a free country.

Take time to pray for our nation (Psalm 33:12; Daniel 2:21; 1 Timothy 2:1-2).

3. Decorate Your Home with Flags.

It's wonderful to see the American flag flying across America any day, but especially on Memorial Day.

Fly a flag half-staff from dawn until noon, local time. (You might also want to fly the POW/MIA flag, if you have one)

4. Decorate a Veteran's Grave.

Go to a cemetery and use a flag and/or flowers to decorate the grave of a fallen soldier.

A special "thank you" bouquet can be sponsored through the Memorial Day Foundation.

5. Attend a Ceremony.

Check the newspaper for a patriotic local ceremony if you can't visit Washington, DC, for the BIG celebration.

Your local American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or even your closest military base may have a special program.

6. Attend a Parade or Fireworks.

Although it's a time of remembrance, Memorial Day is also a joyous holiday. We are a free people because there are people determined to protect those freedoms.

Go to a parade or fireworks and celebrate!

7. Be Creative.

Make a patriotic-themed craft—a wreath, dessert, or even a cap or t-shirt.

Have fun being "Americans" together!

8. Use Music.

Listen to a national Memorial Day concert on television or attend a a local one.

For example: For those local to San Diego, on May 28, the San Diego Master Chorale, under the direction of Dr. John Russell, will present a Memorial Day Concert with familiar patriotic favorites and stirring spiritual arrangements. It's held at the San Diego Central Library auditorium, 330 Park Ave., San Diego. Get there by 2pm or earlier. Tickets are free and parking is free on the streets (or for a fee in the underground structure).

Or, create your own concert. Play inspirational patriotic music, or sing patriotic songs together.

If your child plays a trumpet, let him or her play "Taps" and then pray for the families of those who have died for our country.

9. Visit a Memorial.

See if there is a military memorial site in your town. Consider how you might honor those who have died from your own home town.

But also, put it on your bucket list to visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetary.

10. Buy a Poppy

Groups like the American Legion Auxiliary and Veterans of Foreign Wars take donations for poppies.

Ever wonder why the poppy? John McCrae wrote the World War I poem "In Flanders Fields," and it includes the line, "In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row."

"Buddy Poppies" have been assembled by disabled or needy veterans since 1924. Your donation helps maintain state and national rehabilitation/service programs for vets.

11. Aid the widow, widower or children of the fallen.

Are their families of fallen veterans at your church? In your community? Are their needs being me? Are you sure?

Does your church have a regular means to check-up on and encourage these families?

Pray for them today!

12. Thank Someone in the Military Now.

Although Memorial Day is for those who have died, and military personnel you meet on the street or at airports haven't died for our country, they have taken time out of their lives to protect our country and freedom.

They deserve our gratitude. It's always OK to shake their hand and say, "Thank you!"

13. Visit a Hospital.

Take flowers, cookies or good reading material to a local veteran's hospital! This would be a great experience for elementary children.

14. Write a Note.

Take your verbal thank you" one step further. Make homemade cards for military personnel you know, or for the families of the fallen. Or purchase them at Vistaprint.

OperationGratitude.com will give you information about writing soldiers letters (or even sending a "care package" to someone in the military who is currently deployed).

The key word on Memorial Day is "Memorial."

Let's never take it for granted.

Remember. Celebrate. Be thankful.

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Today, is a speaker and author, and the creator of three blogs: Heart Choices Today, LOL with God (with Pam Farrel), and Upgrade with Dawn. She is a contracted researcher/reviewer for Revive Our Hearts and a writer at Crosswalk.com. She and her husband Bob live in Southern California and have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

All photos, courtesy of Pixabay.

Thank you card, available at Vistaprint. 

Note: I am not connected to any of the links I shared (except I have a friend in the San Diego Master Chorale). No compensation given for any of these suggestions.