Also known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day is a holiday where we stop to take time and honor those who have died in service of the military. I’m sure everyone either has been affected or knows someone who has by the armed forces. My own family has a handful of young men and women serving right now, and my father, uncle, grandfather, great-uncle, and many other relatives have served in the military as well. Paid peanuts, living in harsh conditions that we couldn’t even imagine, and doing their job every day to keep us safe, if anyone deserves to be saluted, it’s our men and women in the service.

This weekend, honor those we’ve lost by…

• Putting our flags out for display.
• Attend a soldier memorial service.
• Teaching children about servicemen and women and the sacrifices they make.
• Contacting the family members of someone you know who was killed in combat and expressing your gratitude for their loved one’s sacrifice.
• Honoring your own loved ones’ sacrifices with a memorial service, family celebration of their lives, or a vigil.
• Show your children photos of family members who’ve died in the service. If they don’t know these family members, help them get to know them through memories and family stories.
• Visit a nursing home and listen to stories about previous wars. Offer thanks to elderly vets and their families.
• Writing letters of thanks by joining Operation Goody Bag: This wonderful site sends letters and goodies to soldiers. People can write letters, decorate and color bags, or simply make donations.
• Making sure we only put our troops in harm’s way when it’s absolutely necessary, and voting as such.
• Teaching peace and raising peaceful children to help eliminate the need for war.

Many people will be participating in barbecues this weekend as well. But did you know that what we really do during Memorial Day is usually more akin to grilling than barbecuing? Brownielocks & the Three Bears explains the history of grilling versus barbecuing here.

You might also consider using your barbecue—I mean cookout!—as a benefit for soldiers and their families. Have a collection box for family and friends to make a donation in, or sponsor a food stand with a group or club to raise funds. If you have a local family struggling due to a military death, be sure to keep them in mind if you host a fundraiser.