In honor of Memorial Day, which is on Monday, May 28th this year, we are sharing a brief history of the holiday, as well as a few different ideas for ways that you can celebrate it here at our Nantucket Gate apartment community in Tacoma, WA.
A Brief History
Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.
Ways to Observe
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Visit a nearby cemetery or the Tahoma National Cemetery and place flowers or flags on the graves of fallen heroes
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Fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon as Memorial Day is a day of “National Mourning.”
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Participate in a "National Moment of Remembrance" at 3:00 PM local time, to pause and think upon the meaning of the day and for taps to be played where possible.
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Wear your Memorial Day pin from the first of May until the end of the day on Memorial Day.
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Visit a local memorial or monument and take some time to reflect on their meaning and significance.
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Record in a journal your feelings of gratitude for being able to live in the land of the free because of those brave men and women who have died protecting it.
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Take the time on Memorial Day to post a meaningful message on social media that shows your thanks and appreciation for your country, your freedom, and those men and women who gave their lives protecting it.
We hope you found this post helpful and that you gained a few ideas for how you can commemorate Memorial Day this year and in future years to come. Thanks for taking the time to read our post!