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Celebrating Memorial Day
M
emorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the American military. For many people the holiday is about the kickoff of summer, shopping, and picnics. This year, in addition to the usual activities, take time as a family to honor those who gave their lives on behalf of our freedom. Here are some easy family activities that you can use as teachable moments with your children to celebrate Memorial Day. Celebrate with a parade! Many neighborhoods, communities and cities have Memorial Day parades. Check local listings, newspapers, and on-line community activities and find a parade near your home that your family can participate in. Dress up the family in red, white, and blue. Make “freedom hats” out of construction paper complete with stars and
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stripes. Decorate bicycles and wagons to make your own family float.
Visit a local memorial site, monument or cemetery. You can purchase inexpensive small American flags and you children can place them at the memorial or cemetery markers. You can also check with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) for information regarding special ceremonies taking place in your area on behalf of the fallen. Watching a service of this type with children provides opportunities to teach them about the nation’s history and the important cost of freedom. Hang an American flag on your house. Recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Sing the Star Spangled Banner. Lead your family in prayer for the nation. These activities do not take a lot of time but can have lasting impact and meaning on your family.
Enjoy family patriotic craft activities. This can include drawing and coloring the American flag. Take the project a step further and write one line of the Pledge of Allegiance on each stripe of the flag. Decorate a paper towel tube with construction paper and stickers. Staple silver metallic paper shreds inside the tube, creating your own safe sparklers. Metallic paper shreds can be found in the party supply section of most craft stores. Create a red, white and blue wreath out of tissue paper, stickers, glitter and glue attached to poster board. Think creatively and involve the entire family. This Memorial Day honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom with special and meaningful family fun.
Available at all HEB, Randalls, & Central Market locations in the Greater Austin area
Al Jones, Ph.D.
Head to Heart Ministries www.headtoheart.org
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