Memorial Day is
a time when we come together and honor those who have given the ultimate
sacrifice to their country. Since its formal creation in 1971, Americans come
together to honor the fallen by visiting cemeteries, memorials, or holding
family gatherings to celebrate the freedom that was earned through sacrifice.

In addition to
picnics and BBQs, here are five great ideas for things we can do around our
homes and towns to celebrate Memorial Day this weekend.

1. Attend A Ceremony. Many towns have parades and
   ceremonies on Memorial Day and some events even conclude with a memorial
   service. Take some time from prepping for BBQs or relaxing with friends
   and family to take advantage of what your town has to offer.
2. Decorate with Flags. For many years, it has been a
   tradition to decorate graves of fallen soldiers with flags on Memorial
   Day.  Another tradition is to fly the flag at half-staff from dawn
   until noon local time. If you have a flag pole, consider joining the
   tradition this year.
3. Thank A Veteran. While Memorial Day is a time for
   remembering and honoring our fallen soldiers, it’s also a wonderful time
   to thank soldiers past and present who are right here in our midst
   today.  Many of our inspectors are veterans – thank you for your
   service. Don’t know a veteran or want to do more? Write a letter to a
   veteran or soldier! Check out OperationGratitude.com for more information about
   writing letters or sending care packages to soldiers currently deployed.
4. Participate in our National Moment
   of Remembrance. In
   an effort to ensure Memorial Day is the sacred and noble holiday it is
   intended to be, the National Moment of Remembrance asks all of us to pause for 1
   minute in an act of national unity wherever we are at 3 PM local time on
   Memorial Day.
5. Buy A Poppy. During the days leading up to Memorial
   Day, members of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)
   accept donations for poppies. The poppy’s significance to Memorial Day
   derives from John McCrae’s poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Disabled and needy
   veterans in VA hospitals have been assembling Buddy Poppies since 1924. Purchase a poppy
   and your donation assists in maintaining state and national rehabilitation
   and service programs for veterans.

Our veterans
have fought around the world, in places like Europe, Vietnam, and
Afghanistan.  These wars have helped
preserve freedom and liberty around the world and at home and have kept us
safe.

It is no secret
that democracy and freedom have required sacrifices. Our men and women in
uniform are the ones who make those sacrifices to keep us free, no matter the
cost.

Words cannot
fathom how our communities, families, and loved ones feel towards our fallen
soldiers. They have given everything to make sure that we are free. We have all
seen the stories on the news of fallen soldiers returning home and their entire
community paying their respects to a soldier who gave the ultimate sacrifice to
keep them safe.

Today we
remember the fallen and show our gratitude for those who have sacrificed so
much to protect our freedoms in the U.S. Happy Memorial Day!