<p><strong>Memorial Day</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; A solemn, but critically important holiday is Memorial Day.&nbsp; A designated time at which many pay their respects for all those who served in the military, especially those who gave their lives in the line of duty, this is marked across the country, and beyond.&nbsp; There is a lot of potential hidden in this special, sacred day, but many are not aware of it.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What potential is available with Memorial Day?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Memorial Day is a holiday dedicated to honoring, in particular, those who lost their lives in serving their country.&nbsp; Honoring those from all conflicts and wars, at any and all points in history, this holiday is intended to bring everyone together in order to pay their respects.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In modern times, this holiday can also be used to honor living veterans of all ages.&nbsp; This is where the potential comes into being.&nbsp; In true spirit to its original intention, there is the power to use the respect and honor in this holiday and use it as energy in speaking out about the need for services, treatment, etc for living veterans.&nbsp; This adds more respect to the holiday, and also pushes it to mean more for those who continue to serve, or love someone who does.</p> <p><strong>How to make Memorial Day mean more for veterans?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We all pay our respects and use our potential differently.&nbsp; When it comes to helping the holiday mean more for veterans, in particular, there are several ways in which everyone can step in, and step up.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Observe the holiday in a respectful manner:</strong> While many do attend ceremonies, gravesites, and more, some do not.&nbsp; The best way to make Memorial Day mean more for all those who know someone who served, is to be respectful in celebrating it.&nbsp; From attending parades, to paying your respect at gravesites, and beyond, there are many ways in which you can observe this important day.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Use the holiday to volunteer in a veteran service:</strong> Additionally, you can consider the idea of spending the holiday as either motivation to begin, or actively spend the holiday itself, volunteering for a veteran service.&nbsp; It could be a veteran&rsquo;s home, it could be a soup or food kitchen, it could be homeless intervention services for veterans on the streets, etc.&nbsp; Find a volunteer opportunity that meets your skills, comfort level, and energy to help make a difference in the lives of veterans.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Use your voice to demand more services for veterans:</strong> Perhaps one of the most powerful ways that you can make this Memorial Day could be to actively use your voice to demand change in veteran programs and services.&nbsp; By actively speaking out in favor of veterans and asking for more programs, budgets, and opportunities for veterans of all ages, we can change the operation.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Memorial Day can mean more&hellip;</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The importance of Memorial Day cannot be overstated.&nbsp; A core part in ensuring that this is a respected holiday is by ensuring that we, as individuals, are doing everything in our power to help those who served, both past and present.&nbsp; While it already means something to most of us, helping turn it into an outcry for more, can help it mean more to us, we well as the veterans who are being honored.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As we step forward to pay our respects, the potential impact of Memorial Day sits, waiting to be put into practice.&nbsp; Make this year count by adding your voice to the conversation in one, or all, of the suggestions above.</p> <p>Sources:</p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history">https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/memorial-day-honor-the-dead-by-helping-the-living-201205284797">https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/memorial-day-honor-the-dead-by-helping-the-living-201205284797</a></li> </ul>