Honoring sacrifice and service
Freedom’s Feast offers a range of Memorial Day resources to honor the memory of those who died in military service to our country and to support veterans and those who continue to serve.
Memorial Day developed after the Civil War when surviving family members decorated soldiers’ graves. The first national observance took place at Arlington National Cemetery on May 30, 1868. After World War I, observance grew to include armed forces members who died in all wars. The National Holiday Act of 1971 shifted Memorial Day from May 30 to the last Monday in May. The change made Memorial Day a federal holiday and part of a three day weekend that also marks the beginning of summer.
We hope you enjoy this special time off together. We also hope that you’ll take time to experience the purpose of the holiday to make your time together even more memorable and pass on lessons you care about to our next generation of citizens.
Memorial Day: Ceremonies to Choose
Try the brief Freedom’s Feast Memorial Day ceremony or the ceremony options created by our partners at the Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Institute. Use a ceremony before or after the National Moment of Remembrance, before or after your Memorial Day meal, while visiting a military cemetery or any other time that best suits your gathering.
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Memorial Day: Celebrate Your Way There are many different ways to experience the holiday and show that it matters to us. We can decide to consciously remember its purpose and celebrate that. We can recall our own family and community stories about military service and pass them on to others. We can take action for the men, women and families who are currently serving in the armed forces and show them how much we appreciate their sacrifices and commitment. Or we can choose to connect to the holiday’s history with a patriotic sing-along.
Having fun at a Memorial Day picnic can be a great way to enjoy the day AND the holiday. See our suggestions for ways to have your cook-out and a memorable holiday celebration too!
- Taking Action: Remembering
- Taking Action: Learning Through Stories
- Taking Action: Acting for Those Who Serve
- Memorial Day Picnic Fun
- Memorial Day Sing A Long
Memorial Day:Create a Keepsake 
Create your own Memorial Day keepsake flag inspired by the “Flags In” practice that takes place at ArlingtonCemetery and other veteran’s cemeteriesaround the country for Memorial Day weekend. We also lower the US Flag to half staff until noon on Memorial Day to honor our fallen heroes. Then we raise it again to show that life in our nation continues.
If you write a letter of thanks to a current service person, consider making a flag for them too!
The Memorial Day Book List features recommended children's books suggested by our Freedom's Feast partner, the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Enjoy learning more about the armed services by taking our Military Trivia Quiz.
Visit us on facebook and twitter for movie suggestions and more ways to celebrate the holiday weekend.
Enjoy a meaningful and memorable Memorial Day.
Please visit us again for Independence Day!
© 2012 Freedom's Feast
