Teaching the meaning of Memorial Day to your children can be tricky. It's easy to get lost in the rush of picnics, parades and fun during what many see as the unofficial start to summer. However, communities all around the United States will hold celebrations to pay respect and remembrance to those who have died serving our country. These events can be a wonderful way to teach your children about the true meaning of Memorial Day.
Pittsburgh West Memorial Day events
🇺🇸 Thornburg Memorial Day Parade and Picnic
🇺🇸 Bridgeville Memorial Day Parade
🇺🇸 Carnegie Memorial Day Parade
🇺🇸 Coraopolis Memorial Day Parade
🇺🇸 Crafton Memorial Day Ceremony
🇺🇸 Kennedy Township Memorial Day Parade
🇺🇸 New Brighton Memorial Day Parade
🇺🇸 McDonald Memorial Day Parade
🇺🇸 Monaca Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony
🇺🇸 Red, Wild & Blue Day at Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium
🇺🇸 Sewickley 131st Annual Memorial Day
🇺🇸 7 Ways to Honor Memorial Day with Your Children
Pittsburgh West Memorial Day deals
- Memorial Day Weekend: Make a film part of your plans this long weekend! If you’re a veteran or active-duty service person, just ask for a free bag of popcorn at concessions at the Lindsay Theater with our sincere gratitude.
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Did you know...
- The Grand Army of the Republic began decorating the graves of fallen service members with flowers in May 1868, which was then known as "Decoration Day."
- In 1971 Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday, to be observed on the last Monday in May, moving it from the static date of May 30, in order to create a 3-day weekend.
- On the Thursday before Memorial Day, small American flags are placed at each of the 400,000+ gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries nationwide.
- To encourage more people to observe Memorial Day, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2000, which asks people to stop what they are doing at 3 p.m. local time and observe a minute of silence to honor those who lost their lives defending the country.
- On Memorial Day, the flag should first be raised to the top of the staff, then slowly lowered to half-staff, until noon when it should be raised to the top of the staff for the rest of the day.
- Red poppies are considered the Memorial Day flower. It's referenced in the poem "In Flanders Fields." and refers to the fields of poppies growing among soldiers' graves during WWI. Make your own DIY Poppies for Memorial Day.
"We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them." ~Francis A. Walker
