Please join me and my family in sending a thankyou to our troops this weekend. Regardless of your feelings about what we are doing overseas, we can agree that a lot of very brave young men and women have sacrificed their time and themselves in service to us and our country.

Take some time with your children to teach them what this holiday is about, a day for a “memorial”. As we gather for the barbeques and pool parties, lets help our children understand and show respect for the many people in our country who have sacrificed everything, including lives, in defense of the freedoms we have received that let us have those barbeques and pool parties!

Here are some ideas. I haven’t decided yet which to try with my kids, but I am going to make a real effort to do at least one of these with my family. See if there is something that might work for yours!

1) Hang a US flag at half mast.

2) Check your local area newspaper or military base to see if any observances are planned.

3) For younger kids, help them make a paper flag. Teach them what it looks like and what it means. (We just used white construction paper. They glued on red stripes. A blue paper square in the corner, frosted with star stickers makes a very nice flag and a good activity for little hands.)

4) Look at this photo scrapbook (just like going to a museum, but without leaving your house!): Scrapbook

5) Make a list of things you are grateful for and freedoms that you appreciate.

6) Attend a local Memorial Day Parade.

7) Listen to patriotic music.

8) Print out one of these patriotic coloring pages and color them with your children.

9) Visit a cemetery. Put flags or flowers on the graves of soldiers. Take an extra moment for those whose graves seem to be forgotten.

10) Say a prayer for those who are serving currently, or for the families of those who have died in service. Give thanks for the freedoms we appreciate because of their willingness to serve. Remember that our freedom is not free.

Enjoy the day’s activities with your family!

Forums:
Let's Give Salute
Things I'm Grateful For
Memorial Day Plans


Overview of US Holidays with lots of information

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