Memorial Day is one of our nation’s most respected holidays, honoring the fallen soldiers who gave everything to protect our freedoms. Originally known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day started when the loved ones of Union soldiers killed in the Civil War laid flowers on their graves as a memorial. 

Several years later, in 1971, Memorial Day became an official holiday, allowing Americans to honor all military members who gave their lives in service. For many, the holiday marks the start of summer and is a time for celebration. 

While fun and relaxation are great for connecting with others, you can get involved while still remembering the reason for this somber holiday with our list of meaningful activities. In the meantime, show your respect with a lasting symbol of patriotism. Shop our outdoor American flags and fly your flag proudly this Memorial Day. 

1. Fly your U.S. Flag and POW/MIA Flag at Half-Staff

Flying a POW/ MIA or American flag is a great way to show your appreciation for our brave military members. On Memorial Day, you should fly your U.S. flag at half-staff from sunrise until noon to honor the military servicemembers who have died in service. At noon until sunset, you can then raise the flag to show respect for all veterans, past and present. 

This powerful tradition symbolizes that our country is still standing even in the face of military lives lost. If you have a POW/MIA flag, you should also fly it at half-staff from sunrise to sunset to honor all of America’s Prisoners of War and those missing in action. When flying multiple flags on the same pole, be sure to place the U.S. flag at a place of honor at the top. 

Can't fly your flag at half-staff? Attach a Black Mourning Bow to the top of the flagpole. Flying your U.S. and POW/MIA flags at half-staff on Memorial Day serves as a powerful visual reminder of the day’s meaning. 

2. Participate in the National Moment of Remembrance

Across the country, at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, you can pause for a moment of silence to remember those who died while serving in the military. This act of national unity allows us to send love, prayers, and thoughts to those who died in service as well as those who are still serving. The National Moment of Remembrance, established by Congress in 2000, is a simple way to show appreciation to our fallen service men and women. 

3. Watch Memorial Day Specials or Attend Local Events 

For many, Memorial Day parades are one of the most exciting parts of the holiday. You can enjoy the warm weather as you kick off the long weekend with marching bands, live music, and other Memorial Day activities. These free events are full of family fun, food trucks, and even giveaways. 

While these annual events are exciting, you can also attend a Memorial Day ceremony that focuses on the lives and sacrifices of those who served. These events are often held in quiet locations like botanical gardens and memorials for a more somber and respectful way to honor our nation’s bravest citizens. 

4. Visit a Local Veterans Memorial

Visiting a local veterans’ memorial is another way to show your appreciation for our military members. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about the true cost of freedom. 

You can research local memorial locations or visit some of the well-known sites, like The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Marine Corps Memorial, the Air Force Memorial, or the Women in Military Service for America. If you’re in Washington, D.C., the National World War II Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or the African American Civil War Memorial are all excellent locations. 

5. Visit a Veterans Cemetery

Every Memorial Day, people visit local veterans' cemeteries to place U.S. grave marking flags and flowers on the graves while ensuring that they are free from debris. Even if you can’t visit the Arlington National Cemetery, you can check with your local veteran cemeteries to see if they have an “Adopt-A-Grave” program where you agree to regularly care for and decorate a veteran’s gravesite. 

You can also volunteer through Memorial Day Flowers to place roses on headstones and quietly honor veterans’ final resting places. If you can’t physically make it to a cemetery, you can donate money to help volunteers place flowers on graves. 

6. Donate Your Time to Support Families of Those Killed in Combat

Sometimes, a family just needs a letter to get them through a difficult day of carrying on after a loved one is killed while in combat. Some organizations, such as Soldiers’ Angels, have programs where you can send personalized sympathy cards to grieving families and cards of remembrance to the family on the anniversary of a service member’s passing. By donating your time, you can remind surviving family members that their loved one is not forgotten. 

7. Thank or Help a Living Veteran 

Show appreciation to veterans for defending the country through organizations such as Disabled American Veterans (DAV). You can also send letters of appreciation to U.S. military serving around the world through A Million Thanks. 

Sending a care package to those who bravely serve our nation through Operation Gratitude is another way to show our service members that you care. You can even help by just listening to veterans and their families’ stories through recordings with StoryCorps. If you’re looking for more ideas on how to thank a veteran, check out our blog "How to Thank a Veteran."

Create Touching Memorial Day Tributes with Carrot-Top 

Whether you're planning a solemn tribute or an exciting celebration, Carrot-Top has everything you need to make your next patriotic event meaningful. Shop our collection our outdoor American flags or order our U.S. cemetery flags in bulk to mark the gravesites of American heroes. Our collection of flags and patriotic decor will help you celebrate with the pride and purpose our heroes deserve.