How to Celebrate Memorial Day

Attending Patriotic Events

Attend a local ceremony. Look for information in newspapers, posted on government and/or citizen information websites, or ask your neighbors to locate Memorial Day events happening in your community. Attending a local ceremony is an excellent way to celebrate in your own community.

Participate in events in the nation's capital. If you live near Washington, D.C., or can travel there, there are numerous ways you can celebrate Memorial Day. Tour some of the city's many memorials to fallen heroes, participate in the parade, or attend the always-poignant ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Watch the National Memorial Day Concert. This concert occurs on the west lawn of the capitol in Washington, D.C. If you can't make it in person, tune into the PBS (and in military bases, AFN Television) broadcast of the performance by the National Symphony Orchestra and a crew of special guest artists.

Visit a military base or cemetery near you. Check your local paper, or call the closest military base, American Legion, or Veterans of Foreign Wars post to find out what's happening and when. Showing up will demonstrate that you are patriotic and grateful for the efforts made by others to defend the country.

Showing Your Gratitude and Respect

Fly the American flag at half-staff. Do this from sunrise until noon on Memorial Day, in order to show your respect. Keep the U.S. flag higher than your state, county, or establishment flags. Traditionally, the American flag is positioned the highest, the state flag is in the middle, and all others are beneath them. If you have novelty flags, consider removing them temporarily out of respect for this day.

Put flowers and flags on graves. You can show your respect by placing items on the graves of friends and family, civilians, and military personnel. If you live far away from the final resting place of anyone you know, decorate the grave of a stranger. If you would like to sponsor a thank you bouquet, you can do so through the National Memorial Day Foundation. On Memorial Day weekend, the bouquet you've sponsored will be placed at war memorials on the Mall in Washington, D.C.

Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3:00 pm local time on Memorial Day for a moment of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.

Celebrating in Fun Ways

Thank a veteran. On Memorial Day, you can remember those who fought and lived to talk about it. Take some flowers, books or cookies to a nearby veterans' hospital. Make your own cards. Homemade cards come direct from your heart which is a tremendous expression of your respect.

Attend a parade. All over the country, including the capitol, there are Memorial Day parades to celebrate and commemorate our fallen heroes. Look in your local newspaper, or ask around, to find a parade in your area. Bring some lawn chairs and a cooler (if permitted) and celebrate the holiday by watching the parade go by.

Spend time with family. Whether you throw a barbecue, go to a party, or simply relax in your backyard, Memorial Day is a great day to spend with people you love. If you have children, explain that this is a day to honor our military veterans and fallen soldiers. You might say, "Many people have fought and died in wars in order to protect us. On Memorial Day, we celebrate those people."