30 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day

30 Ways to Celebrate Memorial Day

By Cate Rees-Hessel & Wes Hessel

We Remember and Honor…

Let’s honor our veterans that have given their lives in service of our country, making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. God bless those who serve… 

1. Attend a mass or service on Memorial Day – light a candle for a military member that has passed away. What better way to honor our fallen service members? Remember that our military were never suckers or losers – stand up to “The Donald” and supporters on social media.
2. Send a card or gift to a military person; those on active duty would love some home baked treats – older veterans may welcome a visit or card.
3. Let those who serve or have served know you care, and appreciate their sacrifices…
4. Widows, widowers, and children of fallen soldiers might enjoy a present, also – a batch of cookies or a bouquet of flowers.
5. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, so let’s decorate. Honor the graves of service members with flags or flowers – I put patriotic decor in our living room window and on our patio.
6. Red, white, and blue bunting, banners, and decor are great ways to get in the holiday spirit. Doors, patios, balconies, walls, and windows can all be decorated. I leave my patriotic decor up through Flag Day, July 4th, and Patriot’s Day; don’t forget a patriotic wreath for your front door.
7. POW and MIA bracelets may be a thing of the past but a nice patriotic pair of earrings or necklace are pretty ways of honoring the holiday. I also have red, white, and blue pins, and bracelets.
8. Veterans in nursing facilities might like a visit – make a new friend. Leave off books or magazines at assisted living center. In addition to patriotic events there will be loads of other activities.
9. Patriotic films can be found online, on streaming services, and at your local libraries. Hallmark channel has great ones

Taking nothing from our troops, Memorial Day also ushers in Summer and all the fun things that come with the sunshine…

1. Picnics and barbecues are always a lot of fun. Try new delicious recipes with less red meat (who can afford it anyway???!!!), such as grilling fruits and veggies. Keep food safe from warm temperatures, keep it iced or cooled until time to eat. Fresh salads and cold sandwiches are always a treat. If you have any doubt about your food’s safety, then throw it out.
2. Parades, as well as outdoor concerts and films at City parks are often free and great activities for the whole family to enjoy. Check your local library or municipality website for ideas. In our neck of the woods we have boat races, carnivals, a downtown parade, a Brewfest, and fireworks, with all proceeds donated to local youth and children’s programs.
3. Many pools and water parks open Memorial Day weekend. Use a safe sunscreen (ones containing only zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide are the best) and enjoy some fun water play. Remember SPF lip balm, also. It’s fun to hit the beach, but check conditions and bacteria levels locally before swimming – do the same for lakes.
4. Do not swim alone. Install a weather app on your phone for quick updates on air quality, temperatures, and storm warnings. Bring a bottle of water and a beach towel along, and a snack to keep up your energy.
5. Pay attention to boating safety if you decide to hit the water this weekend. Keep keys on a floating chain, at least enough life preservers on for everyone in the boat, and a well charged cell phone in a waterproof case with you at all times. Be extra cautious in choppy water.
6. If it rains, an indoor picnic is just as much fun. Indoor grills are a great way to bring the outdoors inside – salads and summer food are just as yummy indoors.
7. Check ingredients before allowing pets any of the celebratory fare. Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and chocolate are some of the foods toxic to our furry friends. While you’re thinking of your furbabies, take your canine to a nearby dog park for Memorial Day.
8. Remember summer is a short season, so patriotic items are usually inexpensive. Some stores will put them on sale after Memorial Day, so you can stock up for the 4th – I buy my patriotic plates and napkins right after the Memorial holiday weekend
9. Take a walk in the park, or a leisurely bike ride – summer is finally here. Some cities have free or minimal fee bike rentals available. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
10. Use the long weekend to clean out your garage. basement or attic. Power wash your deck or patio, and don’t forget the outdoor furniture; mow the lawn, trim bushes and hedges. It’s time to get everything season ready…
11. It’s a great weekend to wash the car or the dog…the cat, however, might have other ideas.
12. Start a vegetable and flower garden – fresh vegetables and fruit you grow yourself are nutritious, taste great, and rewarding. And who does not love the look and fragrance of beautiful flowers? This is also a great way to help protect the environment and your family.
13. Don’t forget the insect repellent – check websites like the CDC and Consumer Reports about the safety of the various active chemicals; I still like the Skin So Soft products by Avon, myself. Be careful and do your research. In fact, insects are in a dangerous decline and you may find this is the first year in memory that you don’t need insect repellent.
14. If you have allergies to bug bites, food or the like, carry your EpiPen, and your inhaler if your asthmatic. Hotter temperatures can cause worse reactions. I carry my Epi everywhere…
15. Stay hydrated – water is important in avoiding heat exhaustion and heat stroke; Evian is my favorite.
16. Sunburn cream can be kept in the refrigerator for a nice cooling effect. Lipsticks, lip balms, and eye pencils are less likely to melt if kept cold, as well. Toners are more refreshing when chilled, too. And don’t forget to keep your skin hydrated…
17. I am addicted to indoor plumbing, so camping does not work for me, but if you are inclined to enjoy nature this way, keep safety first and foremost. Know where you are – carry physical maps and a compass. Most cell phones go out of range even when a little far from civilization. Have provisions such as hand sanitizer, wipes, extra socks, antibiotic, and burn ointment and Band-Aids with you, as well as acetaminophen and water. You might want to carry a pocket size Lysol for those outhouses. Keep a cooler with ice for anything perishable to avoid dehydration and food poisoning. Nothing can ruin a trip more than an unprepared and unexpected injury or illness. S’mores are great, but bring clean metal sticks to use over the campfire. Respect nature by cleaning up your camp site. Consider a tree hanging shower pack. Personally, I feel a nice camper with a kitchen and bathroom inside at a camp site or a cabin on the campground is a bit more my way of roughing it. Cabins have indoor plumbing facilities; guess I am a hotel kind of girl. I must have indoor plumbing, to be honest…
18. If you are traveling for Memorial Day, make sure your gas tank is full – carry a tire gauge, jumper cables, and Fix-A-Flat or the equivalent, as well as coolant and water in your trunk. Have transmission and brake fluid on hand also. Check your vehicle’s oil before you, or get it changed. Make sure your battery is well charged. Check your car’s safety before you hit the road. Better safe than sorry, is my motto. Keep your motor club and insurance cards handy, too, like in your glove box.
19. Many restaurants have outdoor patios to dine al fresco – search the Internet for money saving coupons and offers. Have dinner on your own patio to save even more money…
20. Festival season has begun – wear your comfortable shoes and carry a light jacket for weather fluctuations. A bag chair or other portable seating is a must. Check policies before bringing a cooler. Many venues might require that you carry clear purses or tote bags – leave anything that might be problematic at home or locked in your car, out of sight. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry, and keep cash and credit/debit cards on your person. And carry a charged portable charger with you.
21. Enjoy your loved ones, include your furbabies, but make sure pets are permitted at your outdoor events. Check local leash laws, and bring a travel water bowl for Rover or Fluffy, when attending events close to home. When traveling with animals, pack a small favorite toy, disposable litter pan (for cats), and baggies of food. Furry friends likely won’t need clothes in warm temperatures but a cute neckerchief never hurts. Remember, if you are warm in your skin, imagine how hot they must be in fur – keep pets hydrated and cool. Bring a cold wet washcloth in a bag or container; antibacterial wipes are also good to keep on hand.

As President Biden said in his Memorial Day remarks when he was in office. “We haven’t always lived up to it, but we’ve never walked away from it. And today, standing together to honor those Americans who dared all and gave all for our nation, we can say clearly: We never will.” Yes this Memorial Day 2026, we long for a real president again. I miss Presidents Biden and Obama. We could have had Kamala and Walz – this weekend I wear pearls for my President Harris. Hope we have good weather despite global warming. Stay safe and happy start of summer, everyone….