How do you all observe Memorial Day...? Partying or solemn reflection?

[FirstLight]

Memorial Day, the quinessential beginning of Summer... we think of BBQs, Beach time, 3 day weekend for family and fun... how many Americans actually KNOW or care what Memorial Day is for?

Living in a tourist town, I see the influx of people and the celebratory attitude. Everyone's buying burger buns and sunscreen... little american flag toys for the kids even.
Do people really know or care why they have a 3 day weekend?
I suppose it's much like Labor Day - we take advantage of the extra time off, but have little knowledge that the fight for labor rights was often violelnt as well...

My dad was a Korean War vet, I never knew if he had friends from that time who may have died in Service. But he always flew his flag on these events, and watched old war movies as a remembrance.

For me, I am hiding from the tourists at home, and using the time to work on the deck and yard, do some low key stuff around the house. I'll light a candle monday in remembrance and quietly honor those who fught for the liberties we are LOSING now...

[wcmagumba]

1. I will solemnly reflect of past wars and losses...My father was in the Nat Guard and did not serve overseas but

I had an uncle who served in Korea and twin uncles who served in Vietnam so my family has been involved...

[The Blue Flower]

2. My dad was in the S. Pacific for 4 years

He spoke of nothing else for the rest of his life. You wouldn't even know he had a family. He saw a lot of combat and death. I was married to a USMC Nam vet. We were engaged to be married before he left for his tour of one year in 1969. He returned a vastly different person and the marriage ended after 14 years. I always reflect on the sacrifice so many like them made. At least they made it home. My sisters and Mom and I had to live with our dad's trauma until his death 20 years ago. My chlldren had to live with the results of their dad's trauma. Going to war is a heavy, heavy deed.

[FirstLight]

5. Heavy ...indeed.

My cousin came home from 'nam a different man. I was very young, but remember meeting his baby and wife as she waited for his return ... Shortly after she left hhim and cut off everyone. I think he turned into a very abusive alcoholic to deall with his trauma. He never remarried and died young from alcohol related issues.

War is hell. And our Vets that *did* make it home are not receiving the suport they deserve or require either. It's a travesty.

[anciano]

3. Solemn reflection.

[SWBTATTReg]

4. We usually go to the graveyard over at the small white church in Plad MO. Our family has been buried there for

generations. My sister and her family are going up to visit, clean up if needed, put flowers/flags on. It's a really nice and peaceful spot, by itself, overlooking the hills, and near a fire lookout tower.

[FirstLight]

6. I feel drawn to go to the Cemetery this year as well...

Maybe i'll get some red and white carnations and wander around and place them on those with military affiliation on their stones...
Even though my Dad came back alive... I feel like I need to honor him on that day too.

[JoseBalow]

7. Old war movies on TCM

[FirstLight]

8. That was my daddy...

He loved his old black & white movies... how he could sleep in his chair with all that blasting etc was beyond me!

[Grim Chieftain]

9. We used to go to cemeteries in three different towns

It took us four to five hours on the Sunday morning before Memorial Day. Lots of flowers and loving prayers for those who have passed, many of whom were veterans. Since we are baby boomers, our vision is a bit compromised and our stamina isn't what it used to be, but those who we have lost are still remembered.

[Niagara]

10. Growing up, my mother had several artificial flower arrangements on a

headstone saddle that could be placed on top of a headstone.

My mom would take the artificial flower arrangements out of storage every Memorial weekend, my mom would drive out to the cemeteries and place these flowered headstone saddles on the headstones of deceased family members.

My mom had several different artificial flower arrangements and she drove to several different cemeteries to place them. The artificial flowers would flow over the headstones while making our deceased family members commemorated and making their final resting place beautiful.

Of course these headstone saddles with the artificial flower arrangements were always collected on Labor Day weekend, cleaned off with a gentle spray of the garden hose, completely dried out in the sun and put away back into storage for the following year.

There were also headstones in the cemetery that had tiny American flags and a veteran star grave marker announcing that this particular deceased person was a veteran and served in the military.

I do remember having some family orientated cookouts around Memorial Day.

I don't have an issue with friends and family getting together to break bread and to spend time together. I don't believe that there's enough quality time spent with our loved ones.

However, if cookouts turn into drunken brawls with class 4 fireworks going off, that would be a completely different scenario.

I work this Memorial Day and that's alright with me. It won't be a long day. It's also my SO's birthday on Monday.

[OldBaldy1701E]

11. I usually reflect and think about those whom I know that made the ultimate sacrifice.

Maybe do a few shots in salute. We are moving so I did not put up our flag.

Plus, these days, I don't see much to celebrate.

[LogDog75]

12. Quietly

On days like Memorial Day and Veteran's Day I stay home and quietly observe the purpose of the day. I refuse to attend any sales or buy anything, unless it's an emergency or needed, because the purpose of these days is not for sales.

[yellowdogintexas]

13. Resting up from 4 hard and long days at the Charles Schwab Challenge

I love doing this every year.

[electric_blue68]

14. It depends weather wise. Don't have a get together, but I did reflect on those who have protected us

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

15. I cook some burgers on the grill, maybe have a beer with my burger.

At some point, I'll pause to think of my old Command Sergeant Major, and when I say old, he was almost forty- that's old to us 20-year-old draftees.

I got out of the army when my two years were up. He did his Sergeant Major stuff for another year until he got hit by a NVA rocket. RIP.