Memorial Day: Ways to Honor the Fallen
Kick off summer with a three-day weekend filled with sunshine, BBQ, and a pool party. But this Memorial Day, we’ll also set aside time to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedoms.
Memorial Day began after the Civil War as Decoration Day when women’s and religious organizations started decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. as a time to remember fallen soldiers and now honors all U.S. service members who died while serving. It’s an honor and recognition of service we should all remember, but for many, it’s a deeply personal day to mourn loved ones who didn’t make it home.
In the spirit of remembering our fallen heroes, below are some ways you can honor their sacrifice.
Carry the Load Walk
Carry the Load, a national non-profit organization founded by two Navy SEALS and headquartered in Dallas, “exists to preserve the sanctity of Memorial Day through community gatherings and storytelling to unite Americans in appreciation for the sacrifices made by a few who carried the load for all.”
If you can’t make one of the walks, consider donating to the organization, which has raised $46 million since 2011 for our country’s military, veterans, first responders, and their families. Visit CarryTheLoad.org to donate.
Their primary event is the Dallas Memorial Walk, a 20-hour march starting at Reverchon Park (3505 Maple Ave, Dallas), where the gates open at noon on Sunday, May 25. Opening ceremonies are at 3:30, and the walk kicks off at 4:30 pm. Throughout the day, they’ll have music and food trucks at Reverchon Park. After a two-mile walk through the streets of Dallas, they’ll walk the length of the Katy Trail overnight, including a silent march at midnight. The walk concludes at 1 pm, Monday, May 26, with a storyboard processional in which family members and friends will carry placards with their fallen loved ones’ names and photos.
Carry the Load – Lewisville will gather at Railroad Park, Soccer Field 6, in Lewisville at 9 am Saturday, May 24. Gather as a community to reflect, connect, and show our support for our nation’s heroes. The walk is a three-mile loop, which includes a stop at Lewisville Fire Station 2. This is a family-friendly event.
Another Carry the Load Memorial Day walk is at Nebraska Furniture Mart in the Colony, at 8:30 am May 25, where they’ll gather as a community to reflect, connect, and show our support. Enjoy inspirational speakers and a walk to honor the fallen at this family-friendly event! Together, We #CarryTheLoad.
Display the U.S. Flag
To display your flag in accordance with the US Flag Code for Memorial Day, fly the flag at half-staff until noon to remember those who have sacrificed their lives for our country, then raise it to the top of the staff as our commitment to uphold the values of liberty and justice for all. If you’re not able to fly your flag at half-staff, attach a black mourning ribbon to the flag.
Wear a Poppy
The practice of wearing a poppy on Memorial Day in 1915 with the publication of the poem “In Flanders Field,” by Lt. Colonel John McCrae. The opening lines, “In Flanders fields the poppies blow | Between the crosses, row on row,” refers to the graves of those who had been killed during the second battle of Ypres in WWI.
Today, millions of poppies are distributed annually by the American Legion Auxiliary to raise funds for veterans, active servicemembers, and their families. Wear it on National Poppy Day, the Friday before Memorial Day. Legion-Aux.org/poppy
Moment of Silence at 3 pm
At 3 pm local time on Memorial Day, a national moment of silence is observed to remember those who have died in service to our country. Many radio stations also observe this minute-long reflection by playing “Taps.”
Watch the National Memorial Day Concert
For over 35 years, this multiple-award-winning television event has honored the military service and sacrifice of all our men and women in uniform, their families at home, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. KERA airs the program at 7 pm, on Sunday, May 25, then replayed later that night. It’s also available to stream on YouTube, the PBS app, and PBS.org. It will remain available for two weeks following the live broadcast.
Visit a Military Memorial
While there are no battlefields to visit in the area, there are several memorials in Denton County including a monument by the courthouse in the Denton Square. You could also check out the Texas Veterans Hall of Fame Museum in the Golden Triangle Mall in Denton, or the brand new Medals of Honor Museum in Arlington.
Volunteer at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery
The American Red Cross – Service to Armed Forced North Texas Region will assist with the annual Memorial Flag Placement at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on Sunday, May 25, 9 am in Section 107. The cemetery is located at 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy. in Dallas. Bring a ruler to ensure proper placement of the flags and dress for the outdoors.
Make a Donation to veterans
More than 41,000 Veterans call Denton County home, and the Denton County Veterans Coalition serves as an advocate for Veterans and their families. DCVC facilitates collaboration among Veterans organizations and community resources to resolve individual and collective Veteran issues. Visit VeteransOfDentonCounty.org
