‘Honor’ means showing respect and admiration.
- Remember the true purpose of Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, we pay tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives while serving their country. It is a time to express our gratitude for their sacrifices. We can honor them by attending ceremonies, visiting monuments or cemeteries dedicated to fallen soldiers, or observing a moment of silence.
Here is a list of things you CAN do:
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Engage in an exploration of war spoils to cultivate empathy, gratitude, and understanding. Observe the harsh realities, challenges, and profound sacrifices made, nurturing a profound sense of admiration. This process unveils the far-reaching consequences of war, stimulating a critical examination of peaceful resolutions. The acquisition of deep understanding serves as a catalyst for compassion and peace, while concurrently paying homage to our esteemed fallen heroes.
.. to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. To help you observe the day respectfully, we have created a Memorial Day etiquette guide.
ALL DAY
Display the American Flag At Half Staff
To honor and show respect for our brave military servicemen and servicewomen, we fly the flag at half-staff. It’s a way to pay tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and dedication.
Here’s the procedure:
- Raise the flag to the top of the flagpole, representing our nation’s strength.
- Lower it halfway down, symbolizing mourning for our fallen heroes.
- Keep the flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, a solemn reminder of their service.
- Raise it back up before lowering it completely at the end of the day, signifying hope and resilience.
Following this procedure, we express our deep gratitude and respect for those who served, honoring their memory and sacrifice.
3 PM National Moment of Remembrance
This moment of silence is a powerful way to show your appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who served in the military. It is a time to reflect on their bravery and to remember the debt of gratitude that we owe them.
The National Moment of Remembrance is a full minute of silence beginning at 3:00 PM (local time) on Memorial Day to reflect on fallen service men and women. If you do nothing else to observe Memorial Day, no matter what you are doing, at 3:00 PM take a minute to remember why this day was established.
Writing A Letter To A Veteran
“””
Certain veterans are unable to participate in Memorial Day events or visit the graves of their fallen comrades, potentially causing them to feel neglected or uncared for. Composing a letter for them serves the purpose of ensuring they are aware that we still hold their memory and contributions in high regard. It is a means of demonstrating that we have not forgotten them and recognizing the significance of their sacrifices. Similar to the uplifting and affectionate emotions brought by receiving a letter from a dear friend, these heartfelt messages can bring happiness and solace to the veterans who receive them.
Share A Vetran’s Message Or Story
Share a heartfelt message on social media expressing gratitude to the brave veterans who have served our country. Take a moment at 3:00 PM to honor and remember their sacrifices and the invaluable contributions they have made. Let us come together as a community to pay tribute to their selflessness and dedication. Additionally, it is crucial to reflect on the true significance of Memorial Day, which goes beyond barbecues and sales. This day is a solemn reminder of the lives lost in service to our nation, and it deserves our utmost respect and reverence.
Visit a Monument, Cemetery, or Museum
Memorial Day is a great opportunity to take a moment to visit a monument to fallen heroes, pay respect during a cemetery visit, or learn more about our nation’s history at a museum.
Visiting A Veteran’s Grave
Several cemeteries have sections dedicated to fallen soldiers, and visiting these graves can be a powerful way to show your respect. You can leave flowers or other mementos at the grave as a way to pay your respects
Sharing Stories Of Veterans
When people serve in the military, they go through many important and sometimes difficult experiences. These experiences can be really interesting and unique. Veterans are people who have served in the military, and they have many amazing stories to share about what they have seen and done. It’s important for us to listen to and share these stories because it helps us remember and honor the veterans. By talking about their experiences, we make sure that we don’t forget the sacrifices they made to protect our country. It’s like keeping a special memory alive and making sure their bravery and hard work are always remembered.
Sources
From 36 USC 116: Memorial Day:
Ҥ116. Memorial Day
(a) Designation.—The last Monday in May is Memorial Day.
(b) Proclamation.—The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation—
(1) calling on the people of the United States to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace;
(2) designating a period of time on Memorial Day during which the people may unite in prayer for a permanent peace;
(3) calling on the people of the United States to unite in prayer at that time; and
(4) calling on the media to join in observing Memorial Day and the period of prayer.
…
To learn more about the guidelines for properly showing and taking care of the US flag.
The Code provides that on Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon (local time). At noon, it should be raised to the top of the flag staff.
National Moment of Remembrance Act
White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance
SEC. 4. NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE.
The minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on Memorial Day each year is designated as the ‘National Moment of Remembrance’.” 36 U.S.C. § 116.
