Happy (Virtual) Memorial Day: The unofficial kickoff of summer! While we usually spend this 3-day weekend lounging at the pool or enjoying a backyard BBQ, things are unfortantly a little different this year due to COVID-19.
As we kick-off phase 2 of the Memphis “Back to Business” reopening plan, let’s not take for granted what service to our community and our country really mean. And this year, on Memorial Day, let’s not let COVID-19 stop us from honoring the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in our country’s armed forces.
Here are several ways you can get everyone in your own, special tribe involved in virtually commemorating Memorial Day 2020:
Rediscover American History
Before you get started with the festivities, remind everyone in your family why everyone gets a day off for Memorial Day, and how the holiday is different from Veterans Day.
Memphis National Cemetery and Corinth National Cemetery Wreath Laying Ceremony
At both cemeteries on Memorial Day, the VA plans to honor veterans and service members “with the solemn dignity and respect they have earned through their service and sacrifice.” The event is closed to the public, but you can catch the highlights on local television stations. Check WMC Action News 5 for more details and showtimes.
Watch The National Memorial Day Parade
The 2020 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. has been canceled. Don’t fret, the event has been turned into a made for tv event: “The National Memorial Day Parade: America Stands Tall.” Tune in on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25. The event will air on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox stations nationwide.
Watch The National Memorial Day Concert
Tune in to PBS at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24 to see Actors Joe Mantegna and Gary Sinise host a special presentation of the National Memorial Day Concert. This year’s event will feature new performances and tributes filmed in different locations around the nation and renowned stories from past concerts. The event includes Trace Adkins, the National Symphony Orchestra, CeCe Winans, and more.
Watch Ancestry’s Virtual Memorial Day Parade of Heroes
Ancestry is holding a Virtual Memorial Day Parade of Heroes on Facebook. The 45-minute event will be hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and will memorialize the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Through exclusive veteran interviews and special tributes, the Virtual Memorial Day Parade aims to bring to life stories of strength and hope. The event features musical performances Tori Kelly and more. Catch live on Facebook on Monday, May 25, at 10 a.m.
Host a Patriotic Sing-Along
Live from the comfort of everyone’s living rooms, bedrooms, or wherever you have an internet connection is the first annual Memorial Day Sing-Along. Simply choose your favorite teleconferencing app, pick a date and time, invite everyone in your contact list, set your tone to pitch-perfect, and head over to Spotify for their specially curated Memorial Day Playlist featuring patriotic songs that honor our country and our veterans.
Fly the Flag
The easiest way to celebrate Memorial Day is to mount the American Flag outside your home. “On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset.” Here are more guidelines from the U.S. Flag Code established by Congress in 1942.
How are you planning on (virtually) spending your Memorial Day? Drop us a line on twitter and let us know!
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