Honor Our Heroes

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service of the United States of America. Here are a few suggestions to honor our fallen heroes this holiday.

Fly the American flag. In traditional observance, the American flag is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day. The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Visit cemeteries and place flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes, and visit memorials.

Join in the National Moment of Remembrance. Signed into law on May 31, 1999, this act encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day and participate in a moment of silence in honor of the men and women of the United States who died in the pursuit of freedom and liberty.

While these heroes should be honored every day for their profound contribution to securing our Nation’s freedom, they and their families should be especially honored on Memorial Day. Visit friends, family members and neighbors who are veterans and thank them for their service in person.

Find out what your town civic organizations have planned for Memorial Day. Is there a service you can attend? A parade? Gathering with community is a wonderful way to honor our fallen heroes and connect with your community.

How do you honor and thank our American heroes for their sacrifice on Memorial Day? Leave your thoughts in the comments.