6 Ways to Honor Those Who Served This Memorial Day

Sure, it's a day perfectly suited for barbecues and picnics. And, of course, there are all those great Memorial Day furniture and car sales to consider.

But for the families of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country, Memorial Day represents a whole lot more than a day off of work.

Here are some ways to honor our fallen soldiers this Memorial Day:

• Show your colors and proudly fly the American flag. If you don't have one, Walmart and Home Depot have American flag kits on sale this weekend. On Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, be sure to fly your flag at half-staff until noon. 

• Make plans to attend a Memorial Day ceremony. The Veterans Council of Hillsborough County Inc. will hold its ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park and Rear Admiral LeRoy Collins Jr. Museum, 3602 U.S. 301, Tampa, Sunday, May 26 at 11 a.m. 

The ceremony will feature patriotic songs from Charles Haugabrooks; remarks from Frank Strom, managing director of Hillsborough County’s Division of Veterans Affairs, and Walt Raysick, president of the Veterans Council of Hillsborough County; and a keynote speech by a representative from U.S. Central Command on MacDill Air Force Base. 

Following the speeches, the Scottish American Military Society will conduct the POW/MIA Missing Man Remembrance Celebration and the area’s Gold Star Wives, Mothers and Families will present a wreath to honor Hillsborough County’s fallen warriors. The Riverview detachment of the Marine Corp League will conclude the ceremony with a rifle salute and playing of taps.

• Visit a local cemetery and place flowers or flags on the graves of veterans. Be sure to get the kids involved so they understand and appreciate the significance of Memorial Day.

• Participate in the nationwide National Moment of Remembrance. In 2010, Congress passed and the president signed an act creating a National Moment of Remembrance on Memorial Day. All Americans are encouraged to stop whatever they are doing at 3 p.m. and participate in a moment of silence and reflection on the sacrifices of the men and women in the military. It is suggested that "Taps" be played if possible. 

• Visit those veterans still living, whether they be members of your family or neighbors. Remind them that their service to their country has not been forgotten.

• Make a donation to your favorite veterans charity. Local nonprofits include the Haley House Fund, which supports families of injured military members undergoing treatment at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa; Operation Helping Hand Tampa Chapter, which provides assistance to active-duty families; Homes for Our Troops, which raises funds and builds homes for fallen heroes; St. Jude's Homeless Veterans Resource Center; and the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation. 

About Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that occurs every year on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Americans began celebrating the day after the Civil War on May 31, 1868, to commemorate Union and Confederate soldiers who died. By the 20th century, the day was extended to include all Americans who had died while in the military service. In 1971, it became an official holiday.

How do you plan to commemorate Memorial Day? Let us know in the "comments" section below.