Memorial Day

 

First things first. Do you know why we celebrate Memorial Day? According to a recent poll, 80% of Americans didn’t know the true meaning of Memorial Day. That’s a lot of people.

So, here it is… the why behind the federal holiday:

• Memorial Day honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. For a long time it was known as Decoration Day. It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.

Now that you’ve defied the odds of knowing what this holiday is about, you might be wondering what you can do to honor the day more meaningfully. Sure, picnics, pools and long weekends are great and all, but there’s a more meaningful way we can honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. They don’t have to be complicated and most of them don’t take much planning, so don’t let the thought of doing something more meaningful overwhelm you. Have fun with it! Not only might you make some fantastic memories, but your kids just might grow up to be stronger patriots!

Here are a few ideas to get started:

1. Honor the National Moment of Remembrance: At 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, every American is asked to pause for just one minute to honor the fallen. It’s called the National Moment of Remembrance –Established by Congress in 2000- Set your cell phone alarm. “Pause, Reflect, Honor.”
2. Talk about those who died: Spend some time talking and reflecting on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Do you know anyone who died serving? If so, talk to your kids about their story and what they meant to you.
3. Share a photo or stories: Share a photo of your beloved fallen soldier/airman/etc. on Facebook or Instagram. Share what you loved about them.
4. Visit your local veterans cemetery or memorial (if you have one)/Have your kids help you pick out flowers and then take them to a grave site of someone who served.
5. Attend or watch a parade: Does your local community have a parade? I don’t know a single kid who doesn’t get excited about parades. Before you go, discuss with them what they might be seeing at the parade.
6. Visit a battlefield: Do you live near a Civil War or Revolutionary War battlefield? You can check here for a list of locations. Give your kids the background information they’ll need to actually appreciate the site for what it is when they get there. Some battlefields, like Gettysburg, even have audio tours available to give the experience more depth and meaning.
7. Fly the American flag: As an important symbol of our country, kids should understand the significance of flying the flag. Explain that you’ll fly the flag at half-mast, a position reserved for when the country is in mourning, until noon, before raising it to full mast for the remainder of Memorial Day.
8. Watch the President Mark the Day: The President lays a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier every year—watch it on TV and talk about it.
9. Watch/Listen to the National Memorial Day Concert: Broadcast on PBS and NPR, this concert on the west lawn of the United States Capitol includes music but also tributes to the men and women who gave their lives for their country.
10. Make a patriotic dessert—we see that cake with strawberries and blueberries decorated like the American flag all over the place—make that on any patriotic holiday, not just the 4th. To make it extra meaningful, find out the favorite dessert or food of someone you knew who passed away while serving and make it to honor them.

If you have any more ideas on how to celebrate Memorial Day more meaningfully with your kids, please send them our way! We’d love to add to our list.