"Land of the Free
Because of the Brave"
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance and gratitude. It gives us a meaningful opportunity to honor and celebrate the lives of those who have lost their lives while serving our nation.
It is also the unofficial start of the summer season. So while you are gathering with family and friends to celebrate, take a moment to embrace the real meaning of the holiday too. Here are a few ways.
Donation Collections
Give back by collecting funds to donate to Gold Star Families, the relatives of U.S. servicemen and women who died in battle.
Decorate a collection jar in red, white and blue. After the party, send the proceeds to a reputable charity.
Another way to show respect is by putting together care packages for activity-duty troops. Make a list and ask guests ahead of time to bring things to add to the package.
Click here for some do's and don'ts advice from a military wife on what and how to send.
Deliver a Toast
Before serving the meal, take a moment to speak about the meaning of the holiday. Give a toast to the men and women who sacrificed their lives to serve our country, and express gratitude for veterans and activity-duty troops, too.
If one of your guests is a veteran, ask them if they'd like to speak. For visual impact, place a patriotic wreath on an empty seat front and center to represent the fallen soldiers.
Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance
Observed at 3:00 PM local time on Memorial Day, the National Moment of Remembrance asks Americans to pause for one minute to remember the people who died in military service.
If you're hosting an afternoon party, be sure to set an alarm for 3:00 to pause any music or games taking place. To make the moment more poignant, consider a commemorative candle lighting
Colors of Memorial Day
Buy this flag here.
Red - poppies on the battlefield
Commonly, the red color represents bravery, courage, and sacrifice. Red is precisely the color of blood that wars took from our fallen soldiers.
In the context of history, red is the color of poppies — the flowers growing on battlefields. Veterans and military members have been attaching this flower as a badge on their shirts to remember the battles they fought and the military who died.
White — purity and innocence
The color white on the American flag symbolizes the pure virtues of soldiers who went to war for their country. The sacrifices made by soldiers come from both their courage and their will to give up selflessly.
Navy blue — vigilance, perseverance, and justice
The navy blue is all about vigilance, perseverance, and justice, which the nation’s service members sacrificed their lives to achieve.
Yellow — the ribbon color of Memorial Day
The poem “She Wears the Golden Ribbon” inspired the yellow ribbon. The poem has been around for over four centuries and tells the story of a woman wearing a yellow ribbon while waiting for her beloved to return during a war.
Olive Green — the color of peace
Olive green is one of the colors associated with peace, which the fallen service members achieved for our country. This color is also used in military logos and uniforms. It reminds them of the mission they carry — to bring peace back home.
Sapphire Blue — the commemorative color to honor devotion
Although this color has nothing to do with the military or historical events, its meaning perfectly fits Memorial Day.
Sapphire blue is a deep blue color representing the bond between commitment and gratitude. This color is considered a tribute to those sacrificing their lives to ensure America’s survival.
Ways to Celebrate the Day
Themes
Decor and Ambience Activities
Burgers and Dogs Kebobs
Check out my 4th of July posts
for burger, hot dog, side, snack
and sweet recipes.
Grillin' & Chillin' Southern Style
Cocktail Seafood Fest
Block Party Ice Cream Social
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