Bree-Anna Burick May 25, 2024 5 min read

Happy Memorial Day! Celebrating with Meaningful, Summer Fun

Key Takeaways

Memorial Day is a time to remember and pay tribute to brave soldiers who died serving our country.
Host a barbecue with a moment of reflection, volunteer for a veteran cause, or organize a neighborhood gathering to share stories and express gratitude.
Explain the significance of Memorial Day to children, help them with patriotic crafts, or visit a war memorial to educate them.
Kick off the summer season with outdoor activities like picnics, pool parties, grilling, or planting red, white, and blue flowers.

Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May and is a solemn yet celebratory day in the United States. It's a time to remember the brave men and women who have fallen while serving our country.

But beyond the somber reflection, Memorial Day also marks the unofficial start of summer, a time for family gatherings, backyard barbecues, and memorial day sales.

You can create a meaningful and memorable Memorial Day, honoring the fallen while embracing the unofficial summer kickoff.

Remembering the Fallen

To celebrate Memorial Day, it's important to remember the significance behind the day. While you might have the day off work or an excuse to throw the first pool party of summer, celebrating by remembering our heroes can be the best way.

Many towns and cities hold parades, speeches, and wreath-laying ceremonies at war memorials or cemeteries. Participating in these events is a powerful way to pay your respects and connect with your community.

Giving back to your community is a great way to honor those who served. Dedicate some time to volunteer at a local veterans' organization, homeless shelter, or soup kitchen.

You can also visit a cemetery, particularly one with a section dedicated to veterans. You can place flowers on graves, say a prayer, or simply reflect on the sacrifices made.

If you plan on celebrating from home, you can research a soldier from your local community who died in service. Share their story with your family or friends, or write a letter expressing gratitude to their surviving family members.

At 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, a National Moment of Remembrance is held. Pause for a minute of silence wherever you are to reflect on the true meaning of the day.

Host a Meaningful Celebration

Whether you're a veteran yourself, know someone who is, or love to honor Memorial Day, you can host a celebration at your home.

Gather your family and friends for a classic Memorial Day cookout. While enjoying burgers, hot dogs, and summery side dishes, take a moment to share stories of veterans you might know or have in your family.

You can also organize a potluck or block party where everyone contributes a dish. Encourage neighbors to wear red, white, and blue and share stories of past Memorial Day celebrations.

Display the American flag at half-staff from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day. This signifies a time of mourning for those who died while serving.

Educational Activities for Children

Your children might have the day off school or love eating hot dogs at the barbeque, but it's important to teach them the significance of the words, happy Memorial Day!

Make sure to explain the history and significance of Memorial Day to your children. Use age-appropriate language and focus on the sacrifices made by soldiers.

To keep younger children engaged, help them with arts and crafts activities with a patriotic theme. Kids can make red, white, and blue decorations, write thank-you letters to veterans, or draw pictures honoring fallen soldiers.

A powerful way to connect them to the sacrifices made, take your children to a local war memorial or museum to learn about American military history.

Enjoy a movie together that celebrates American heroes or depicts historical events. But remember to choose a film appropriate for your child's age and maturity level.

Adding a Summer Flair

If you want to ring in the start of summer and celebrate Memorial Day, there are plenty of ways to combine the two.

You can pack a picnic basket and head to a nearby park for a relaxing afternoon. Enjoy outdoor games, frisbee throwing, or simply soaking up the sunshine.

Beat the summer heat with a pool party or a trip to the beach. Splash around, build sandcastles, and enjoy the refreshing water.

Dust off your grill from the cold winter months and throw some of your favorites on. From juicy steaks and marinated kebabs to grilled vegetables and fresh seafood, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Memorial Day weekend is a great time to plant beautiful flowers in your garden or window boxes. Choose red, white, and blue blooms for a patriotic touch.