This year, instead of focusing on party ideas for Memorial Day let’s go a different route. Let’s talk about some of the traditions that mark Memorial Day.
Participating in the National Moment of Remembrance
A congressional resolution was passed in 2000 where Americans can pause at 3:00 p.m. local time for a moment of silence. This is a very small way to personally reflect on and feel respect for those who have died for our country’s freedoms.
Memorial Day Parades
A more upbeat way to recognize this day is to attend a local Memorial Day parade. Neighbors come together all across the country to remember loved ones with a moment of shared entertainment.
Wearing Poppies
The tradition of wearing red poppies on Memorial Day was inspired by the 1915 poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrea. A war worker pledged to wear a silk red poppy to “keep the faith with all who died.” This has now become a tradition in the United States, France, Australia and so many other countries.
Review Family History
This is a great time to find out new information on people in your family who have served or were close to other family members who served. These stories are always beautiful and may give you a bigger sense of your place in your own family. You can rummage through old pictures, journals, or whatever else you discover from that period.
Whether you’re family or not, Memorial Day should be more than observed; it should be a dedication. It should be a dedication that we all share to the people who have faced and braved more than we can want to imagine. It takes guts, but if you know of anyone, anyone, who greets Memorial Day personally, hug them. Let’s do something for them, no matter how small. That’s the best way I can come up with to celebrate Memorial Day.
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