The history of our city and the military goes way back to 1542, before we were even called San Diego, when Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo arrived, and used the area for shelter and defense. For 30 years, territorial wars were fought on our soil, and the prime location for the military was established. Being a port city, border city, and part of the Panama canal exposition had a lot to do with the official growth of San Diego during the first World War. Both Teddy and Franklin Roosevelt were proponents of the city being a military hub, and the hospitals and bases were built. From way back then until today, we are very much a military town. So, honoring the fallen on Memorial Day is, and should be, a big deal around here. So, we wanted to pause in remembrance of the soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice on this important holiday.
There’s so many celebrations and events, you can choose which one you want to attend in your community. If you are planning the traditional cookout, or trip to the beach, we have some recipes for you to carry on the holiday in your cooking, but there are many “little things” we can do to honor Memorial Day.
- Wear poppies.
Red poppies were one of the first plants to grow in war-torn battlefields, and the tradition dates back to World War 1. You can get poppies from veterans organizations, and it actually helps the vets. Go to the USAA website, and pay your tributes with their online memorial. - Read the poem, “In Flanders Field”, written by Colonel John McCrae in World War I. The poem illustrates the somber yet victorious remnants of battlefields.
- Display the US flag, and if you can, at half-staff until noon. Display a POW-MIA flag as well.
- Visit a cemetery. Going to Fort Rosecrans or Miramar National Cemetery is that much more special and moving on the holiday meant to honor those buried. You can part of the tradition of placing flags on the graves, if you’d like.
- Pause, for a moment of silence at 3pm. Congress passed a resolution in 2000 for this moment.
- Take a look at some of our nation’s history, or your family history, or old photographs. Like this document from sandiegohistory.org. The Seal Tours have a nice synopsis of San Diego’s military history, along with the famous military sites that are made for Memorial Day visits.
- Read the Decoration Day Proclamation. It will move you. Memorial Day was called Decoration Day from the Civil War when communities started to honor the fallen, until it was officially “Memorial Day” in 1971.
- Watch the Memorial Day Concert on Sunday. Get into the festivities with the mindset of what the day off work/cookout day is all about at 8pm on PBS.
- Visit a Veterans Center, hospital, or nursing home, or even a homeless shelter (here’s a link where you can find the nearest ones to you). So many veterans are alone, and suffering, many times from their sacrifice to our great nation.
- Donate. Send care packages, blankets, and other necessities to deployed soldiers through Support Our Troops. Soldiers can use your unused or even expired coupons through the Overseas Expired Coupon Program. Visit soldiersangels.org to give online through donations or shopping through Amazon, or be a helpful neighbor to soldier’s families through Blue Star Families.
However you celebrate your Memorial Day, we hope you remember what it is all about, beyond the cookouts, beyond the ringing in of summer, and maybe you will take the time to do one of the suggestions above. We are so thankful for the brave men and women who have stood up and fought for our country, and give this day of honor to you.
