Though many people celebrate Memorial Day by hosting backyard barbecues or visiting the
beach, the long holiday weekend is primarily a day of remembrance to honor the men and women who have died while serving in the U.S. military.
Like last year, Memorial Day won’t look exactly the same as it did before the pandemic but here are some suggestions on how to commemorate the occasion.
WATCH: National Memorial Day Concert This PBS special has been pre-taped and will air on PBS on Sunday, May 30 at 8:00 p.m. ET. The 90-minute concert hosted by Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise will also be available to stream online for up to two weeks after the broadcast.
VISIT: Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Every year, the U.S. Army Military District of Washington holds a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. This year the President will lay a wreath at the Tomb on Monday morning at 10 AM EST. This event is closed to the public but ANC is open all weekend to the general public.
Can’t visit Arlington National Cemetery? All 155 Veterans Affairs national cemeteries will be open Memorial Day weekend from dawn to dusk. Go pay your respects.
CELEBRATE: Watch a parade! Washington, DC, New York and Chicago will all be hosting Memorial Day parades this weekend. Chicago and DC’s parades, unfortunately, will be closed to the public but will be live streamed. However, if you happen to live or be in the New York-area this weekend, attend Brooklyn’s 154th Annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday.
You can live stream the parades in Washington, DC and Chicago.
REMEMBER: Join Taps Across America. The National Moment of Remembrance is an annual event that asks Americans, wherever they are at 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, to pause for a duration of one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States.
Watch:
HELP: Donate to Folds of Honor . Since 2007, this organization has provided scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members.
In a Memorial Day speech in 1981, Ronald Reagan said,
“Today, the United States stands as a beacon of liberty and democratic strength before the community of nations. We are resolved to stand firm against those who would destroy the freedoms we cherish. We are determined to achieve an enduring peace—a peace with liberty and with honor. This determination, this resolve, is the highest tribute we can pay to the many who have fallen in the service of our Nation."
So while we are celebrating and enjoying the weekend, we must pause and acknowledge the benefits to living in this great country by remembering this great sacrifice our soldiers have made.The purpose of remembering them is to honor their service and realize that what we have— is built upon their ultimate sacrifice. They have given the full measure.
In memory of many, in honor of all.
Happy Memorial Day, and God's blessings to you and all your loved ones.
ENJOY!
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