12 Ways to Honor the Fallen on Memorial Day

Did you know that Memorial Day was once called Decoration Day? The name arose after the Civil War when citizens decorated the gravesites of fallen soldiers with flowers. It has since become a public holiday to remember and honor all Americans who have died in military service. While the three-day Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer when swimming pools open and people gather for barbecues or go on short vacations, the last Monday in May holds a more somber meaning for many American families. Here are 12 ways to honor the courageous men and women who served and gave their lives for our nation’s freedom.  

1. Display the flag.

Fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn till 12:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. You may also choose to fly the POW/MIA flag to honor prisoners of war and those missing in action. These official guidelines ensure respectful handling and display of the flag.  

2. Join the national moment of silence.

At 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, Americans are asked to pause for a minute of silence in a moment of unity, no matter where they are. This National Moment of Remembrance is often marked by the playing of taps.  

3. Attend a Memorial Day parade or observance

Look online for a local parade in your area. The official Jacksonville Memorial Day Observance will be at The Veterans Memorial Wall. You can find details here.  

4. Watch the National Memorial Day Concert.

This concert features the National Symphony Orchestra as well as military bands and choral groups and is broadcast live from the U.S. Capitol Building’s West Lawn. Tune in on Sunday, May 25, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on PBS.  

5. Visit a national cemetery or memorial.

Many cemeteries have memorials and pathways commemorating soldiers and veterans. Attend the cemetery’s Memorial Day ceremony or place flowers at the graves. You can find a listing of national or state cemeteries here. Did you know The Veterans Memorial Wall in Jacksonville (mentioned above) is the second largest memorial wall in America? 

6. Take a virtual tour of a war memorial.

You don’t have to travel to visit our nation’s military museums and memorials. Narrated tours (like this one by actor Tom Hanks), videos and other online resources – including virtual tours of national war memorials – can deepen your knowledge and bring more meaning to Memorial Day.   

7. Reflect in faith.

Attend a religious service, spend time in prayer or simply reflect with gratitude on loved ones and strangers who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s future and peace in the world. Here’s a list of Jacksonville area places of worship. 

8. Post a tribute on social media.

Share the photo and story of a loved one or friend who served on our Facebook page.  

9. Make a donation.

Veterans’ agencies and national organizations are always in need of financial support. Look for reputable charities that provide wounded troops services, military social services and military family support. In the Jacksonville area, you can make a monetary donation or furniture/clothing donations to a Jacksonville veteran associated chapter called Vietnam Veterans of America. 

10. Wear a red poppy.

Red poppies symbolize the blood shed during wartime. Artificial ones are made and handed out to raise money for veterans’ causes. Wear one to remember the fallen and commemorate the sacrifice they made for our country. Or you could choose to memorialize veterans by wearing a Veterans Awareness Ribbon, which was created to bring awareness to all veterans causes.  

11. Celebrate a hero.

Even if you aren’t personally connected to someone who has served, you can still call, text or visit someone who has lost a solider. Join them in celebrating the memory of this hero. 

12. Show your appreciation.

It means a lot to Gold Star families that others honor the loss of their service member. Saying kind words costs you nothing and shows respect for their loved one’s ultimate sacrifice.    

Our nation’s heroes call us home. 

At Cypress Village, we have a thriving population of veterans and make every effort to be one of the best senior living communities for veterans in Florida. Our location offers a range of conveniences, including accessibility to VA health care and no state tax on military pensions, as well as proximity to military museums, libraries and recreation spots such as Fort Mose Historic State Park. Our resident veterans group proudly organizes a Memorial Day and Veterans Day program every year. Learn how you can be part of the vibrant veteran-friendly community at Cypress Village by calling 904-507-4962 today or contacting us here.