Do you tend to throw a barbecue for Memorial Day but prefer to celebrate in a more meaningful way this year? If you want to pay your respects in a way befitting the somber occasion, check out these five ways to celebrate Memorial Day. Then you can start a new tradition.
1. Listen to the National Memorial Day Concert
You can begin the celebration the day before Memorial Day by tuning into the National Memorial Day Concert. It will be quite a show with the National Symphony Orchestra, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, and major stars. Thus, turn on PBS at 8 p.m. on May 29 to take part in this national tradition.
2. Visit a Veterans’ Cemetery
It’s hard to fully appreciate the weight of Memorial Day when hanging out at home. With that in mind, make a point to visit a veterans’ cemetery during the holiday this year. Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery is located in Goldsboro, and you can stop by during daylight hours. Thus, add it to your schedule so you can honor the fallen.
3. Have a Moment of Silence
Congress created the National Moment of Remembrance in 2000 as a way for people to honor the fallen on Memorial Day. You don’t need to go anywhere to take part. Instead, stop what you are doing at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day and remain still and silent for a full minute. You can use this time to think about the sacrifices men and women in uniform make every day and how some have made the ultimate sacrifice.
4. Visit the Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield
Memorial Day started as a way to commemorate the lives lost during the Civil War. Because of that, visiting a Civil War battlefield is an excellent way to recognize the occasion. You don’t have to go far to do this, either. You can head to Goldsborough Bridge Battlefield to walk the grounds where 15,000 soldiers battled against each other. The events will come to life as you walk in the soldiers’ footsteps.
You might also like: 5 Ways To Upgrade Your Old Car’s Interior
5. Honor a Fallen Soldier
Did a loved one lose their life while serving in the military? If so, you can honor that individual during Memorial Day. Look through your photographs and find one you want to share. Then you can post it on social media, along with a message of what that person’s service means to you.
You will find much more meaning in Memorial Day when you add these ideas to your celebration. Then, instead of spending the day enjoying burgers, you’ll get to the heart of the holiday.
Disclaimer: The stock image is being used for illustrative purposes only, and it is not a direct representation of the business, recipe, or activity listed. Any person depicted in the stock image is a model.