We Will Never Forget (#MemorialDay, #Military, #Veteran)

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Teaching Kids the Meaning of Memorial Day #MemorialDay

If you ask a group of children what Memorial Day is about, you’ll probably receive a variety of different answers. Some may tell you it’s a day off of school, or that it’s the weekend the neighborhood pool opens and others will tell you it’s when there are lots of big sales at the stores. It is important to teach the next generation the importance of honoring our military who defend and sacrifice to keep us safe. For that reason, below you’ll find a list of suggestions to help your family bring the true meaning of Memorial Day into your home this year.

1. Teach the history of Memorial Day:
Memorial Day started as Decoration Day in Waterloo, NY in 1866 as a ritual to honor Union and Confederate soldiers after the American Civil war. In 1868 General John Logan declared May 5th as a day when flowers were to be placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. It wasn’t until 1882 that the name Memorial Day was used as a day of remembrance to all service members who had died defending our country. President Nixon declared Memorial Day a federal holiday in 1971 and established it on the last Monday of May. In December, 2000 the National Moment of Remembrance resolution was passed to help remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day. The resolution asks that at 3pm on the last Monday of May, all Americans stop for a moment of silence to reflect on those who have sacrificed everything in honor of their country.

2. Fly an American Flag
Together as a family, fly your American Flag and teach children about flag etiquette. Memorial Day is a perfect time to explain to children why Americans fly the American flag at half-mast. If you don’t have an American Flag, help your children make one out of construction paper and display it in your front window or on your front door.

3. Visit your local National Cemetery
Many National Cemeteries will host special ceremonies to pay tribute to our fallen veterans. This is a great opportunity to teach kids that these National Cemeteries are reserved for those who sacrificed for their country and were very brave while protecting others. Check your local National Cemetery at http://www.cem.va.gov for more information.

4. Send encouragement abroad
Many service members are still deployed and would love to know that their fellow Americans are thinking of them this Memorial Day and remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom. Help kids write a thank you letter to send to a service member, color a picture or make a care package. There are many organizations that will help you get your items into the hands of our deployed Armed Forces. If you’d like suggestions on where to send your package, leave a comment below and we’d be happy to assist you.

5. Celebrate with a parade
Taking your children to a Memorial Day parade is a great time to answer a lot of questions about Memorial Day. It’s also a great opportunity to explain that it’s a day to honor and celebrate those who have given the ultimate sacrifice by defending our freedoms and protecting others.

6. Organize Memorial Day Activities and Crafts
There are many web sites that can give you great ideas on crafts and free printables to help your kids get creative for Memorial Day. The time while they are working also serves as a wonderful opportunity to tell kids the history and meaning of Memorial Day. After you’ve finished they just may be inspired to send their creations off to the troops overseas to say thank you! You can find some great ideas at http://www.familyeducation.com

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How do you teach your kids the true meaning of Memorial Day? #military, #MilFam, #milspouse, RT Please!

How do you teach your kids the true meaning of Memorial Day? Leave a comment here, on Facebook, or respond on Twitter and we’ll publicize a list of ideas for everyone to benefit from!

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