Memorial Day is a national US holiday that takes place at the end of May. As most Americans have this day off from work, many of them use it to grill hotdogs or shoot hoops in the backyard with pals. For others, Memorial Day implies a far more somber meaning and is a time to pay homage to the men and women who served the US military yet are now deceased.
If you had a loved one who served in the military and has passed on, you can probably relate to this sobering day of the year. With this in mind, here are some thoughtful ways to honor and remember fallen soldiers on Memorial Day and every day of the year.
Walk Down Memory Lane
One of the best ways to honor veterans who are no longer with us is to remember them. You can do this by going through photographs or even making a scrapbook devoted to a fallen serviceman or woman. You might even want to convert old film of military loved ones and convert it into digital movies. This gesture of remembrance helps keep memories alive of those loved yet lost.
Reacquaint Yourself With Their Military History
Just as remembering fallen soldiers is an expression of honor, so too is refamiliarizing yourself with your loved one’s history in the military. You can do this by asking friends and family for more details about your loved one’s experience in the military.
You might also consider looking through your family history or consulting a genealogy site to learn more about all the members of your family who served in the military. This is a great way to enliven the memory of the dearly departed veterans, both current and in the past.
Investigate Survivor’s Benefits
If your loved one served in the military and has passed on, as a spouse or family member, you may be eligible for survivor’s benefits. You can begin your research by obtaining certain military forms, which will need to be produced in order to verify military service and ultimately integral in determining if you are qualified for survivor’s benefits.
While this may seem like a peculiar way to honor fallen soldiers, it is a valid suggestion. After all, if you’re loved one’s time in the service can be of personal financial benefit to you, then this is a way of recognizing their sacrifice.
Visit Their Burial Site
Whether your loved one was interred in a military cemetery or laid to rest finally on a family plot, it’s always a good idea to visit their gravesite as a way to honor them. Think about leaving flowers or a token by their grave to express your feelings of gratitude and show that you are still thinking of them.
Help Veterans Still With Us
Those who serve in the military often remark that it is like being part of another family. Therefore, you can honor and remember fallen soldiers by caring for veterans still here. Consider volunteering for a veteran service non-profit.
You might also contribute to charities, fundraisers, or non-profits for vets either with time, materials, or with a financial donation. In this way, the servicemen and women who have passed on can still be remembered through improving the lives of military comrades.
Share Your Story
Another great way to keep your loved one’s memory alive and honored is to share your stories and memories with others about him or her. This can be as simple as gathering friends and family and exchanging tales about a mutually beloved service member.
Or, you can go a step further by writing a story about your loved one and having it published in a newspaper or community website. This tip can help you relive the good times over laughter and fond memories of your loved one while also sharing with others.
Conclusion
While the grief of losing a loved one can never be expected to go away entirely, honoring fallen soldiers and remembering military service members is an effective way of coping with the pain and loss. And although the fallen servicemen and women in our lives are no longer with us, they should be remembered – not just for who they were – but also for their service in the military.
