Celebrating Memorial Day 2020

Summer season is officially kicking off and Memorial Day 2020 will definitely feel different than in years past. While many things have changed over the past few months, our gratitude for the brave military men and women who have died while serving in the military remains the same. An additional shout-out cannot be overlooked to the health care community, essential workers, delivery drivers, grocers, restaurant employees, and those out every day, making our world safer and easier to navigate in today’s world.

This year, many of us will be celebrating with our immediate family and virtually with the ones we love. Don’t skip the celebration and going the extra step, even if it’s just putting a flag out and breaking out a few red, white and blue decorations.

Teach Your Kids How to Fold the American Flag

Memorial Day would be an excellent time to teach your kids how to fold a flag. Stand across from someone and hold the flag to your waist, the surface parallel to the ground. Fold the lower half of the stripe lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely. Fold the flag once again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside. Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the top edge of the flag. Turn the outer end point inward, parallel to the open edge, forming a second triangle. The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded. When the flag is folded correctly, only a blue field of stars in the shape of a triangle should be showing.

Be a Grill Master

To add to the fun, pull out your grilling tools, clean off the grill and get ready to enjoy a little barbeque. I met Matt Moore, an entrepreneur, cook, musician, host, pilot, and the quintessential Southern gentleman. He is also the author of The South’s Best Butts along with countless other cookbooks. We met a few years ago when we were both featured on the Hallmark Channel. He gave me one of his cookbooks that I continue to enjoy today. If you are looking for some excellent ideas for barbeque and sides, check out Matt’s, The South’s Best Butts: Pitmaster Secrets for Southern Barbecue Perfection.  

Everyone Loves a Parade

Depending on where you live, there may be a community celebration aired virtually for you to enjoy. Better still, have your own by including your kids in a family parade. Let them make floats with their bikes, wagons and scooters. Dress up the dog, put on red, white and blue t-shirts and bring out some instruments. March around your front lawn and make some music. Make a pitcher of homemade lemonade and a platter of hamburgers, spending time honoring those who died in service to their country. Afterwards, relax and watch a movie such as Platoon, Saving Private Ryan or The Tillman Story.

Take a Virtual Tour of the White House

A trip to our nation’s capital would be amazing, however, since travel is limited and you are hunkering down at home, march on over to  Google Arts and Culture and take a virtual tour of the big, white house where the President lives. There are so many interesting things to see and kids of all ages will be intrigued. There is something for everyone to enjoy.

Get Creative

Grab some chalk or paint and create a piece of art. Draw the American flag on canvas, the sidewalk or in a letter to send to a soldier or veteran. Many of us knows someone who is currently serving or has served in the military. Ask for their name and address and spend some time thanking them for their service. Drop it in the mail and make someone’s day special.  

However you choose to spend the day, remember the reason you are celebrating this Memorial Day.

You may also like Digging In the Dirt is Good For Your Soul. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on The Huffington Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest,  Instagram and Twitter.