Memorial Day is this Monday, and we always think of it as the unofficial start of summer, a day of BBQing or shopping, a (possible) long weekend away from work and perhaps traveling to see family and friends.
But it is also a day where we remember those who died serving our country.
My family and I will be traveling to see some relatives and enjoy a BBQ. But we’ll also spend some time at a local National Cemetery placing flags on fallen solders’ gravesites.
What are your Memorial Day weekend plans? Let me know.
I came across some fascinating Memorial Day facts from wallethub.com that I’d like to share with you:
- 75% of Americans plan to BBQ over the Memorial Day weekend
- 41.4% of Americans are likely to take advantage of Memorial Day deals
- 39.3 million Americans plan to travel over the Memorial Day weekend (a 2.7% increase over 2016)
- 88.1% of Memorial Day weekend travelers will drive to their destination (a 2.4% increase from 2016)
- 2.9 million people are expected to travel by plane over the Memorial Day weekend (5.5% increase over 2016)
And some sobering statistics:
- 42+ million: The number of veterans who’ve served the country in war time
- 1.3 million: Members of the armed services have lost their lives in conflict
- 260,000: Graves at Arlington National Cemetery that are adorned with American flags each Memorial Day
Reminder: Our Panel Support Center will be starting the Holiday Weekend a little early. Our team will be available Saturday from 10 a.m. ET to 2 p.m. ET to assist you. We will be closed on Monday in observance of the holiday. We’ll be back on Tuesday May 30, at 9 a.m. ET.
Planted grave site flowers. No other activities due to Covid-19.
On Memorial Day we spent it with hubby’s brother & daughter. We had the normal burgers & dogs with all the fixings. Our niece also fixed baked beans, pot. salad, mac/tuna salad, chips & for dessert we had fresh fruit in their juices over vanilla ice cream. Before we went up to their house I sent messages to my loved ones who were in the military. I am so proud of my brother who served in Viet Nan before they released him to come home when he had 3 children in 1 year, my son who was in the reserves & came so close of going to Desert Storm, my first granddaughter who served 2 terms in Afghanistan plus all my other family & friends who served in other wars.
I spent my Memorial weekend, first and foremost, going to the cemetery to pay respects to my Dad who was a Korean War Veteran and my Mom. I miss them both so much…. Then I spent the weekend attending my High School Class Reunion which was a 3-day event. We had a blast. It was our 40-year reunion by the way…. It was so great to see classmates some of whom we had not seen in years. My husband and I both graduated from the same school, with a class of 26 in 1977. We did not date in high school but started dating shortly after. We will celebrate our 39th wedding anniversary on September 2, 2017. We could not have asked for a better Memorial Day weekend than the one we had this year.
I’m a Veteran and a member of the American Legion. Other members and I served a meal to area veterans and their families yesterday after the ceremony at our local Veteran’s Memorial Park. I’m proud to have served my country and will always remember those who are no longer with us.
Hope everyone is having a safe Memorial Day Weekend!
Everyone is having fun with barb q’s and than there is my family with a sick little one. It’s raining here in upper Michigan so for our holiday we are taking some carrots and going to hand feed the dear for a small outdoor activity with my sick little one. We were invited to family barbq as well but my 5 year old only has 2 days of preschool left so it’s not worth it to tire her out and get her more sicker.
Thanks to all the Veterans that gave the best of themselves for the country. May God continue to bless you all and enjoy this Memorial Day. A moment of silence for all of the Veterans that are no longer with us.
Happy Memorial Day to those who died and to those who served or is still serving to this day. I’m spending the weekend with my family this Memorial Day weekend and so far I’m enjoying it with them until of course when they leave. My niece and her family are moving to Ohio and I’m going to miss them but I will still get to see them when I travel up there with my brother. I love them so much so all I’m wishing them is the best of luck. Have a great day everyone and stay blessed.
Spending quality time with family attending our family’s annual Memorial Day bbq that will be held at my parents house Look forward to that
Spending quality time with family attending our family’s annual Memorial Day bbq that will be held at my parents house Look forward to 4th t
Happy Memorial Day! Stay safe!
We observe Memorial Day every year by remembering the men and women who fought to keep us free. It is customary to stop what you are doing at 3:00 pm on Memorial Day and stand at attention in silence to remember all the brave men and women who fought for our country. Pass this along to everyone you know to show our Veterans that we respect and honor them. Freedom is not FREE. Thank you for your lovely article Taylor. Have a safe and happy weekend to all.
We just replaced our American flag and I’m getting ready to put it up. God bless all who are serving and all those who have gone before. THANK YOU
Thank you for your thoughts and information. I will be flying my flags.
USA and USMC….. Semper Fi
On Memorial Day my family and I take the opportunity to visit our loved ones at the cemetery.
Hello everyone! I’m new to the panel. I am very excited! On Memorial Day I take the opportunity to visit all my loved ones.
My younger brother goes to the cemetary in Red Haw, Ohio, where my Mom and Dad and our grandparents and great grandparents are at rest. He goes every year and decorates the graves with flowers and tidies them up. He sent me pictures of the graves this year. My great grandfather, John Gallaway fought in the Civil War in the Ohio 41st Regiment. They fought in the “Western” part of the war along the Mississippi.
My brother and I have fond memories of visiting the family graves with our Dad. It was a tradition that I’m so happy that my brother continues. We also had an uncle who was in WWI and 2 uncles in WWII. More relatives in Korean war and also served in various countries
Thanks for the fun facts
Hi Taylor I live in Grafton WV, the home of the oldest National Cemetery and we are celebrating our 150th Memorial Day Parade this Year!!!!
God Bless all Service Men and Women past and present, and THANK YOU for your service.
My Family put flowers on Graves today . Will celebrate a Birthday tomorrow. Attend church on Sunday go out to eat. Monday attend memorial service at family cemetary. Honoring all are veterans that ha e passed on.
My Son and husband and I put flowers on our loved ones Graves today tomarrow we will celebrate my granddaughters Birthday. Sunday we will attend church go out to eat then on Monday we will go to the cemetary for a memorial service for all our veterans who have passed away. We need a baba cue grill as our old bit the dust and had to throw it away.
Planting and BBQ at home
Great statistics, thanks for assembling them.
I try and go to the cemetery to put flowers on my Loved Ones graves.
Plan on working on the yard on Memorial Day, been getting a lot of rain and have to keep mowing the grass because it’s growing so fast. Other than that, will be just enjoying the day. Hope everyone has a great Memorial Day, remember to keep those that fought for our country in your thoughts and prayers.????
Oops, put wrong flag at end, can’t delete?
Hi, I edited your post and took off that last flag. Thanks for writing! — Taylor
Happy Memorial Day and stay safe.
Doing more spring cleaning.
Hi Taylor, my name is Elda Boardway and I have been a panelist since JANUARY 2011. AND I am very proud to be a part of your Great Company. I love everything about this company. I’M sorry I didn’t read your volume before. YOU have a very interesting colume. My husband Jerry and I are going to be celebrating Memorial Day with a barbecue and we will have our daughter and her fiance and her 2 children and also Memorial Day is very special for the both of us, as JERRY asked me to marry him and I said yes.THANK you for giving me the opportunity to get to share.All of you at NCP have a great and safe holiday.. Sincerely yours Elda Boardway.
Happy Anniversary <3
Very good blog post.
We tend to lose track of a few important factors dealing with our holidays. We’re human n get caught up in all the hype of things.
I’ll be home all weekend so please hug a soldier and/0r
Attending Memorial Day service, also placing flags on veterans Graves Thanks To All Veterans For their service. GOD BLESS AMERICA