Memorial Day is one of the most observed national holidays in our country. Americans from all backgrounds come together to remember and honor service men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

As a part of the Creative Crew here, and also being someone who was in the service, Memorial Day means a lot to me. Here’s how you can celebrate with your family while keeping those who aren’t here in mind.

On the last Monday in the month of May, Memorial Day is a busy weekend for tourism in the United States. Memorial Day became an official federal holiday in 1971.

On this day, many gather around a grill, toss a football, or maybe play a little bit of cornhole, but the true meaning of this day is to honor our fallen men and women who died in battle while serving in the United States Armed Forces. While taking a personal day for ourselves here we’ll remember and celebrate those who have sacrificed their lives!

Take A Moment Of Silence

Every year on Memorial Day, everywhere in the country, a moment of silence takes place at 3:00 PM local time. It remains unknown where this tradition started, but we do know that by the 1860s, Americans began to hold tributes to fallen soldiers of the Civil War by decorating their graves with flowers.

Now that you know about this mysterious tradition, spend your Memorial Day this year taking a moment of silence- whether that be at 3:00 PM or at any other time of the day. This is a great way to honor our fallen heroes.

Support Living Veterans

There are many ways that you can support living veterans and thank them for all they have done for our country. For those of you who want to spend Memorial Day honoring veterans, look into donating to organizations such as Vehicles For Veterans or Florida Veterans Foundation.

Attend Or Watch A Memorial Day Parade or Ceremony

Cities and towns all across the United States hold annual Memorial Day parades, often including service men and women and veteran organizations. The largest and televised parades take place in major cities like New York, Chicago, and the Nation’s Capital. If you can’t physically attend a parade in the area, check to see if it will be televised.

Another way to honor veterans is to attend local, family-friendly ceremonies such as the Association of Poinciana Villages Memorial Day Ceremony that honor our veterans.

Spend The Day With Loved Ones Appreciating Your Freedom

As a popular tourist city, there are tons to do on Memorial Day weekend in Orlando. Some of them include Central Florida’s BBQ Blowout, a Rock N’ Blues Concert and Car Show, a Memorial Day Extravaganza and more!

While we enjoy our weekend, it’s important to remember the hardships that veterans endured during their time serving and to be with those who are close to us.