(Metro News Service) Memorial Day often is celebrated with the excitement of a long weekend and the prospect of firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue. But Memorial Day is also a time to reflect on the men and women who gave their lives to defend American freedom.

Memorial Day was established to honor individuals who died while serving the United States in the Armed Forces. Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of the fallen heroes who dedicated and lost their lives in the pursuit of service. The following are some ways to honor those sacrifices this Memorial Day.

· Observe the National Moment of Remembrance. The National Moment of Remembrance is an annual one-minute moment of silence that takes place at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day. Established by Congress in 2000, this unifying moment encourages Americans to pause their activities and reflect on the high cost of freedom. The time is significant, as it is a period when most people are enjoying Memorial Day festivities that were made possible by the sacrifices of Armed Forces personnel.

· Honor the American flag. Memorial Day features a unique flag protocol. To properly honor the fallen, the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon. Afterwards, it should be raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization. The transition marks the nation's mourning in the morning hours and then the legacy of fallen veterans later in the afternoon.

· Coordinate flag placement for cemeteries. Organizations like Flags for Fallen Vets and scouting groups make an effort to place small American flags at the grave sites of deceased veterans. Many cemeteries feature sections exclusively for veterans. Similarly, families can visit cemeteries and leave a penny or a stone on the headstone of a veteran, which shows others that someone has visited to pay their respects.

· Talk to the next generation. To ensure that the memories of fallen soldiers do not fade into obscurity, living veterans can speak with youth about their service experiences and those of their fallen friends. Schools or local municipalities can organize speaking engagements.

Memorial Day is much more than sales at the furniture store or a day spent manning the grill. It is a day to remember and honor service members who never made it home to see their great country again. Ensuring that their efforts are remembered and giving thanks to all veterans is a great way to commemorate Memorial Day.

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To find Memorial Day ceremonies and celebrations happening in Kern County, visit https://www.kerncountyfamily.com/PublicArticle/4246/2026-Guide-to-Memorial-Day-Weekend-in-Kern-County.