How To Observe Memorial Day

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"This weekend I am going to do something different. I am going to buy some carnations each day and go to one of the nearby cemeteries and walk through the sections for soldiers.”

“When I find a grave that has no flowers, I'll leave one and say a prayer for the family of that person, who for some reason could not bring their soldier flowers. I will pray for our country and all who serve or have served and for their families, who also serve by losing precious days, weeks and months spent with their loved ones.”

“I'll pray for the families who paid the ultimate price, who's loved ones died, or were taken captive and never returned. I'll pray for anyone who may still be held in captivity and thinks perhaps they are forgotten. I do NOT forget."

Sylvia Mohr

I’m not saying you shouldn't enjoy a good barbecue with family and friends, but make sure to leave some time to remember the "memorial" in Memorial Day and honor our nation's fallen heroes:

Visit a cemetery and place flags or flowers on the graves of soldiers, especially those whose final resting place appears neglected and forgotten. Many use Memorial Day as a reason to visit the graves of ancestors who didn't serve in the military as well.

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Visit one of the country's many military memorials, from one of the national memorials in Washington D.C., to your small hometown veteran's memorial.

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Fly the U.S. flag

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Attend a parade or other Memorial Day observance near you. Check your local paper, or call the closest military base, American Legion, or Veterans of Foreign Wars post to find out what local observance's are planned.

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Say thank you to those who served and lived to tell their story by taking some flowers or cookies to a nearby veterans' hospital.

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Make a pledge to volunteer with or make a tax-deductible donation to a Veteran's group such as Disabled American Veterans or Vietnam Veterans of America, or The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a non-profit organization that provides grief counseling and outreach services to families, friends and military service members who have been affected by a death in the armed services.

Have a lovely holiday weekend.

Comments

This comment has been removed by the author.
Great ways to remember and show some gratitude to our heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice!

I especially love that you're leaving flowers, and saying a prayer at the graves of the heroes whose family could not.

Thanks!

Happy, Waggin' Tails, FUREVER!
Stumpy and me
mermaid gallery said…
remembering is so important...i lost my uncle in WW2 and never had a chance to know him...I always remember him though....
Great tribute!
Happee Memorial Day weekend
Benny & Lily
Mack said…
What a great post!
Let us never forget those who served.

Sugars,
Mack
rottrover said…
Thanks for this reminder of what's this weekend is all about.

Rottie Kisses~
Dolores said…
Barbara, this is such a sweet and thoughtful tribute to those who've served our country.
We must never forget!
Hugs,
houndstooth said…
I absolutely agree! I have a little boy in my class this year who is currently living with his grandparents, and he came in on Wednesday telling me what Memorial Day was about. I was so happy to know someone somewhere is still teaching kids what it means. If we forget, we're doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past!
Barbara
your post is beautiful

Thank you for reminding us about how lucky we are to be free-- because of those who served our country and they gave their lives
love
tweedles
sam said…
Hi Barbara, Your post was wonderful. Your words eloquently expressed what many people feel.
thank you
Sam's Mon
Wyatt said…
Great idea, Barbara!! We will join you :)

Wyatt and Stanzie
Eartha Kitsch said…
Awesome ideas! As with most holidays, it's easy to forget what the holiday is actually about and get more caught up in the party aspect of it all. The Mister has a relative that died during the civil war and is buried far away from his home state just up the road from us. We always go visit his grave.

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