Memorial Day is one of the most important days on the American calendar. And yet, many of us aren’t sure how to honor it the right way. Should you say Memorial Day thank you for your service to a living veteran? Should you focus only on those who gave everything? And what’s the best way to show respect if you can’t attend a parade or visit a cemetery?
Good news. You don’t need a grand gesture to make a difference. A few thoughtful words, a handwritten card, or a simple act of kindness can carry deep meaning on a day built around gratitude and remembrance.
Here’s how to make your Memorial Day about more than just the long weekend.
What Makes Memorial Day Different From Veterans Day
There is much confusion about the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. Memorial Day is a day to remember those who have lost their lives while in service to protect our wonderful country. Veteran’s Day is a day to say thank you to all of those who have served our country. That being said, I do feel that on Memorial Day we should take some time to appreciate those who have done remarkable things to protect and preserve our rights as Americans.
Even though Memorial Day honors fallen service members, saying thank you for your service on Memorial Day to a living veteran is still a kind and welcome gesture. Most veterans appreciate the recognition no matter the occasion.
How Can You Visit and Support Veterans on Memorial Day
One great way to say thank you to veterans this Memorial Day is to visit a Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital. Take your time to visit with some of the veterans and allow them to share their stories. They have experienced interesting things. Thank them for the service.
Another way to say thank you to a veteran this Memorial Day is to visit a national cemetery. You can bring a group of friends and pull weeds and plant flowers. Then pick one special name and find out more about this person. You can write a sincere letter of thanks to his family showing that their loss is appreciated.
Donating to one of the plethora of Veteran’s organization is another way to say thank you to veterans this Memorial Day. There are many organization out there that need funding to help get veterans on their feet again after fighting for our country or help in the healthcare of our veterans.
What to Say to Veterans on Memorial Day
Knowing what to say to veterans on Memorial Day can feel tricky. You want your words to sound genuine, not rehearsed. Here are a few simple messages that come from the heart.
Examples
- “Your service and sacrifice will never be forgotten. We are grateful.”
- “Because of brave people like you, we get to enjoy the freedoms we have today.”
- “On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave everything. And we thank those who served alongside them.”
- “Your courage inspires our entire team. We are proud to know you.”
- “We honor those who didn’t come home, and we honor you for standing beside them.”
Writing tip: Keep your message short and sincere. You don’t need to be poetic. A simple “thank you for your service” on Memorial Day means more than a long, complicated note. Speak from the heart, and let the veteran know you see and respect what was given.
Why a Handwritten Card Still Means So Much
In a world full of quick texts and emails, a handwritten card stands out. A physical card is something a veteran or a military family can hold, display on a shelf, and revisit for years.
When you sit down and write a personal note, you are telling someone their sacrifice matters enough for you to slow down and put pen to paper. And that kind of effort speaks volumes.
A premium thank you card with a short, heartfelt message can honor a veteran in a way that lasts far longer than a social media post. Whether you send one to a veteran you know personally or to the family of a fallen hero, the card becomes a keepsake of real, lasting appreciation.
How Can Your Business Honor Veterans on Memorial Day
Businesses have a unique chance to go beyond the usual Memorial Day sale and do something more meaningful. Sending personalized greeting cards to veteran employees or veteran-owned partner companies is a powerful way to show gratitude.
Here are a few simple ways your company can get involved.
- Send a thank you card to every veteran on your team with a personal note from leadership
- Place a card and a small flag on the desk of each veteran employee before the long weekend
- Mail a handwritten note to the families of fallen service members connected to your company or community
- Partner with a local veterans group and donate a portion of Memorial Day weekend proceeds
Even a small, thoughtful gesture from a business carries real weight. When your company name is attached to genuine respect, clients, employees, and partners all notice.
How to Observe the National Moment of Remembrance
Every Memorial Day at 3:00 p.m. local time, Americans are asked to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance. For one full minute, the country stops to reflect on the sacrifices made by fallen heroes.
You can observe this moment in many ways. Pause at your desk. Gather with coworkers or family for a silent reflection. Read a short passage out loud. Or simply bow your head in quiet gratitude.
For businesses, leading a company-wide pause at 3:00 p.m. is a simple but powerful way to set a respectful tone for the day.
Remember the Real Meaning Behind Memorial Day
Take Memorial Day to thank our veterans. Sure it has become known as the kick off to summer weekend and a time for barbecues and friends, but the real purpose for this holiday is to recount the sacrifices of our soldiers. Do not let the day go by without appreciating the real meaning behind Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is a time to slow down, look around, and be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy every single day. Whether you visit a cemetery, write a card, donate to a cause, or simply pause at 3:00 p.m., every act of remembrance matters.
Say thank you. Mean it. And carry that gratitude forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Memorial Day honors service members who died while serving the country. Veterans Day, celebrated in November, is a day to thank all who have served in the military, whether living or deceased.
Yes, absolutely. While Memorial Day focuses on fallen heroes, most living veterans appreciate hearing those words. A sincere memorial day thank you for your service is always a kind gesture.
Keep your message simple and respectful. Something like, “We honor those who served and sacrificed. Thank you for everything” works well. You don’t need a personal connection to express genuine gratitude.
Yes. Sending personalized thank you cards to veteran employees or veteran partners is a meaningful way for businesses to show respect and appreciation on Memorial Day.
Americans are asked to pause at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for one minute of silence. Businesses can lead a company-wide pause to honor fallen service members together.
Thoughtful article. It’s good of you to share the history.
Thank you for clearing this up!!
It’s so important to thank and honor those who are fighting and have fought for our freedom!
Listening to Veteran’s stories is truly a fascinating ordeal. Highly recommend.
I’ve never heard of visiting a National Cemetery…..I’m surprised you’re allowed to cater to the graves like that…I know what you’re suggesting is not disrespectful, but aren’t there strict rules for the grounds like other cemeteries?
Writing a letter to the family is a nice sentiment. Many families are proud of their lost loved ones and enjoy when people show appreciation for their ultimate sacrifice.
Homeless Veterans is a HUGE national concern. Many vets are jobless/homeless and it’s unbelievably sad that someone so generous gets left out in the cold . . . literally. I like to make care packages and hand them out, especially in the colder months.
Take some time out of your Memorial Day to think of those who have served you. Our family has a moment of silence at our annual BBQ to reflect on the meaning of the day.
Both Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day are holidays that we as Americans should observe. People have fought and died for us, it would be absurdly ungrateful to not acknowledge that fact.
Such a wonderful blog post! I think it’s important to remind everyone out there what the true meaning of our national holidays are.
My grandfather served in the Army and some good buddies of his never made it back from overseas. We go to the cemetery at this time every year to see the display of flags in the military section and to remember his friends.
The VA hospitals are in dire need of volunteers to visit the patients and bring a little sunshine into their lives. Please remember our vets who made it home, and the vets who never will come home again.
I think the soldiers who gave their lives serving our great country would embrace all the fun and good times we associate with the Memorial Day start of summer. Celebrate in honor of them, in their memory.
Thank you for your reminder of what Memorial Day means. It is a sober day, maybe with tears if you have someone who served and died. Be proud, stay proud of what they did. And enjoy a day of the freedom they fought for.
Every year I buy a poppy from a VFW guy outside my supermarket. It’s just $1, a small gesture, but it’s a reminder, going back to our American Revolution, that brave men and women have fought for all the freedoms we enjoy today.
Backyard cook-out season always started with the Memorial Day weekend. I remember times we had rain and had to grill in the garage, with the doors open of course. Nothing would stop the hot dogs & hamburgers! Those were happy days and I miss being a kid, with no worries or any idea of what the holiday stood for. I now appreciate the sacrifices that were made.
Growing up in Louisiana, this weekend didn’t mean the start of summer since we were outdoors all year long with picnics and grilling. But up north I see why you can’t wait for winter to be over & for summer to start. I hope it’s a sunny day for all the parades for the veterans.
When I was a teenager, marching in my town’s parade with my high school cheerleaders, I never gave a thought to the meaning of Memorial Day. All my uncles had come back from World War II. And they never talked about it in front of me.
I can hardly wait to get out the grill and toss on the peppers & onions, and the best sausage & steaks! We wait all winter for this holiday to get the summer started. But we always remember what the day is for; we never forget the sacrifices made for us in the USA.
Today is wet and cold but I hope by Monday we’ll have plenty of sunshine for a cook out. I hope we all remember the men and women who went to the Middle East these past 15 years, and gave their lives there.
Thank you vets! Their selfless act of service is what keeps us safe.
God bless America! Keep in mind that the day isn’t just for a BBQ.
I think the meaning of the day is lost on many. Glad you took the time to write this article of gratitude.
I come from a family of many vets. We were fortunate they all returned home over the years. Not everyone is so lucky and what these men and women do is noble and deserves lots of respect and honor.
Well said! The fact that so many people this holiday weekend don’t even think about those who gave their lives for our country but consider the long weekend to be another wonderful opportunity to visit a mall always upsets me. And the retailers don’t help with their sales and their advertising all over the place. It’s pathetic.
Every veteran deserves our thanks for the protection they have given us. It’s sad to think of all the men and women who gave their lives for us and our country.
I’m glad you highlighted the importance of Memorial Day. We tend to forget unless we know someone who served and lost their life. Display a flag if you have one.
You’re right to point out the difference in Memorial Day and Veterans Day. And it’s fitting that we have the two days out of the year to both honor and thank our military men and women.
I can’t wait for the big Memorial Day celebration our town will hold on Memorial Day. We always start with a prayer at the veterans monument in the park, and then we have a short parade over to the park for a softball game, and then a big picnic lunch. Keeping my fingers crossed for good weather!
In school we learned to recite the poem Flanders Fields on Memorial Day. Look it up to see why you’ll see veterans handing out little red poppies for Memorial Day. The poem is truly touching.
Even if you can’t get to a veterans hospital or nursing home to visit, please consider sending out cards to these places . There are elderly men and women who would appreciate our thanks and recognition for their service.
If anyone reads Woman’s World, the magazine at your supermarket checkout, there’s always a suggestion of what to send servicemen. Sometimes it’s phone cards, or toiletries, snacks, etc. Take a look to see if you can send something in a “thank you” package.
My grandfather was in Vietnam and never wanted to see another war. He volunteers in a veterans home once a week, to talk about the old days, watch TV with some of the vets, just to let them know that someone still cares about them.
It’s definitely the time to get out the grill and celebrate the end of winter with lots of hot dogs & hamburgers! Hope there’s plenty of sunshine! But for sure we should start the day with a prayer of thanks to our armed forces, living and dead.
Memorial Day. Remember, and be grateful we are here in the USA and free to celebrate with picnics and ball games, parades and lazy days off. Many people sacrificed their lives for us to live free.
A lot of people see Memorial Day as a 3 day weekend.. They forget the true meaning.
Thank you vets for all you do! They should be honored more than just the one day.
Thank you troops for your sacrifice and keeping us safe.
We went to a memorial service in the morning. I wish more people would attend these things,
Nice blog post, some people forget and think the day is just about the BBQ.
Be grateful on Memorial Day and everyday for our troops. They keep us safe.
I enjoy the day eating BBQ with friends and family and sitting by the pool if it is nice enough, but the real meaning of the day is never lost on me. I know it is more than just a day off to eat and celebrate.
Thank you to our vets for your sacrifice! And thank you to our active duty soldiers for your work.
Can’t thank our vets enough for all they do. We are grateful!
As they said in Team America: World Police…America BLANK Yeah! You can fill in the blank but god bless all our veterans who keep us free.
My father was a vet. My grandfather was as well. I take great pride in honoring them.
Thank you for this gentle reminder of what the day truly means. Everyone going on and on about BBQs, summer, and parades are really missing the ball.
So glad you said this. I have been ‘corrected’ for thanking a Veteran on memorial day – I know the difference between the holidays but think it’s so important to make sure they know while they’re with us how much their service means.
I love all the patriotic songs and seeing a veteran selling poppies before Memorial Day lifts my heart. Three cheers for all the veterans.
This day is special to me now that my sister joined the United States Naval Academy. I am so proud of her!