It’s
true -Memorial Day celebrations this year will look a little different under
the current COVID-19 circumstances. However, even though many of us look
forward to the epic sales, backyard barbecues, parades and other celebrations,
it will be a nice change in pace to celebrate the holiday a little different
this year.
Every
year it’s important to remember what the holiday is truly about: honoring the
men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. With just a bit
of planning and our handy list below, it's easy to include this meaning in your
holiday – and best yet, family members of all ages can have fun doing it!
Here are the top 10 Memorial Day Activities honoring the true holiday
meaning:
- Take a Virtual Tour of our White House: You might not be able to travel to our nation's capital this year, but you can still tour it. Google Arts & Culture is offering a virtual tour of the historic home, inclusive of architectural facts and important events.
- Memorial Day poppy craft: Red poppies are worn as a sign of remembrance. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to making your own from things around the house!
- Write letters to soldiers and their families: Handwritten letters can be so impactful, especially when the recipient is not expecting it. Once your letters are complete, bring them to one of these A Million Thanks drop-off locations to guarantee a safe, speedy arrival.
- Do some patriotic Chalk Art: Get all the kids involved to create a patriotic-theme mural, or even just write out a simple thank you to our veterans, using side walk chalk.
- Create care packages for the soldiers: Anything from delicious snacks to toiletries for soldiers is welcomed. Operation Gratitude has a list of ideas you can check out all year round!
- Relax and watch the Memorial Day Concert: Each year, PBS hosts a star-studded concert on the Sunday before Memorial Day. This year's concert, which airs on Sunday, May 24 at 8 p.m., features Trace Adkins, the National Symphony Orchestra, CeCe Winans, and more.
- Fly a flag: Show your love for America by hanging a flag in your front yard or drawing a flag to hang in your window!
- Watch a patriotic movie: To better understand the sacrifices that these brave men and women continue to make, consider watching an action-packed yet heartbreaking movie like Black Hawk Down or The Hurt Locker.
- DIY red, white and blue décor: Get your kids involved in any of these easy-to-DIY decorations, and then remember to hold onto them for your Fourth of July festivities.
- Donate/Bring flowers to a soldier’s grave: You can either visit a cemetery yourself or consider a donation to Memorial Day Flowers, a national foundation that places a flower on the graves of soldiers. A small donation of $5, for example, honors five soldiers with a red rose in front of their headstone.
