Today, while you’re out, take a moment to thank a soldier if you see one. If you’re a veteran reading this, thank you for your selflessness. If you know a fallen soldier, take a moment in remembrance today.

Memorial Day falls on the last Monday in May, and is a day designated to honoring soldiers, active, retired, and fallen. America has celebrated this day since the years following the end of the Civil War: the war with the most casualties. Originally known as Decoration Day, families would leave flowers and flags on their loved ones’ graves to honor their meaningful deaths. In respect of their loved ones, some families of the fallen soldiers would gather around the decorated graves and pray. Still to this day, families visit their valued relatives’ and friends’ graves to hold ceremonies in remembrance. Many cities host parades featuring current military officers and veterans. Memorial Day is a day full of red, white, and blue, love, memories, and angels of the fallen soldiers.

Today, think of those who have served our country for our safety. Find a place of love in your heart to hold their memory for a moment. At 3 p.m. locally, all over America, there is a national moment of remembrance for our fallen troops. Maybe, take the moment to participate today.

Here are a few suggestions on how to honor our troops year-round.

1. Care packages are the easiest way to make a huge impact on a soldier’s life.
2. Simply smile and say “thank you for your service” when you see a soldier.
3. E.D. on Fridays! The acronym means “remember everyone deployed”. This originated from an email chain sent out encouraging people to wear red in support of our troops. The suggestion stuck, and now news stations and Facebook pages everywhere are apart of this campaign.

Happy Memorial Day; while you are out enjoying your 3-day weekend, be sure to take a moment of remembrance of the ones risking their lives for our safety and freedom.

“In honor of many, in honor of all, we thank you for your service!”

We would like to specially thank each of you who are serving, have served, or have friends/family who are active or retires soldiers.

 By: KayLynn