Memorial Day: A Day of Remembrance

Since its declaration as an official federal holiday in 1971, Memorial Day has been a day of remembrance. The day is dedicated to paying our respects to those who have served in the U.S. military and made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Although it’s not necessary to wait until Memorial Day to honor the fallen for their service, you can honor them this year by engaging in the following:

Learn the facts about Memorial Day: Although it comes at the end of what can be a happy, carefree weekend, Memorial Day is meant to be a somber day of reflection. Originally called Decoration Day, the day was first designated after the Civil War as a day for the country to come together, begin healing, and honor those who died.

Participate in a Memorial Day tradition: Traditions associated with Memorial Day have grown to include parades, ceremonies, and wearing a red poppy of remembrance. You can even pause at 3:00 p.m. local time to take part in the National Moment of Remembrance to reflect in your own way.

Decorate a grave with flowers: Visiting a veteran’s cemetery or decorating the graves of local military service members can be a good opportunity to teach your kids a history lesson about past wars and the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.

Honor the fallen by supporting living veterans: Many veterans are in need of assistance such as accessing healthcare, transportation, or simply the need for companionship. There are countless ways to reach out and make a difference in a veteran’s life. Explore more suggestions for ways your family can honor and support veterans.

Whether you take time for a moment of silence or spend the whole day reflecting, Memorial Day reminds us that freedom comes at a cost. Centerstone extends our sincere thanks to our military servicemen and women and their families.

If you’d like to learn about support the ways Centerstone supports veterans, active duty personnel, or military families, call 877-HOPE123 (1-877-467-3123) or visit our Military Services page.