How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day

  • January 29, 2010
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Between barbecuing and sunbathing, take some time to acknowledge the real reason for your Memorial Day off — honoring those who died during military service.

You Will Need

  • Some personal reflection
  • A flag
  • A deed that honors fallen soldiers
How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Decorate a grave

Step 1: Decorate a grave

Sponsor a thank-you bouquet through the National Memorial Day Foundation (www.memorialdayfoundation.org). On Memorial Day weekend, your bouquet will be placed at war memorials on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

You may dedicate the bouquet to a loved one who died in service of our country.

How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Adopt a grave

Step 2: Adopt a grave

Ask your local schools to participate in an “adopt a grave” program, in which each class is assigned to take care of a soldier’s grave by keeping it debris free and decorated with flowers.

How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Make a donation

Step 3: Make a donation

Make a donation to a charity that supports the wives and children of soldiers killed in combat.

The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is rated A+ by Charity Watch, an organization that monitors non-profits.

How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Fly a flag at half-staff

Step 4: Fly a flag at half-staff

Fly an American flag at half-staff.

How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Visit a war memorial

Step 5: Visit a war memorial

Visit a war museum or memorial, such as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, D.C.

How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Attend a religious service

Step 6: Attend a religious service

Attend a religious service and offer prayers for those who died protecting our country, as well as those who currently are in the armed services.

How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Pause at 3 p.m.

Step 7: Pause at 3 p.m.

Take part in the “National Moment of Remembrance” by pausing at 3 p.m. your local time to think about the true meaning of Memorial Day.

How To Remember Soldiers on Memorial Day: Lobby to reinstate May 30th as Memorial Day

Step 8: Lobby to reinstate May 30th as Memorial Day

Consider writing your congressional representatives, urging them to restore May 30th as Memorial Day — rather than the last Monday in May. Many veterans feel that always observing Memorial Day on a three-day weekend is disrespectful.

Memorial Day was originally called “Decoration Day” because the purpose of the holiday was to honor dead servicemen by decorating their graves.

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Comments (2)

beavertalk

Thanks for sharing this. Their memory should always be close to our hearts. xo

about 1 year ago by beavertalk

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inyourface

everyday we should think about this even if its for a few seconds.

about 1 year ago by inyourface

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