Honoring Memorial Day with a Veteran

Memorial Day is a very important day for many Americans. It is a day to honor the men and women in the military who gave their lives while serving our country. This day is often especially important to your senior loved ones. Because of this, they likely want to do something that helps them to honor this day and show their appreciation.

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that approximately one in four seniors is a veteran of the armed services, and as such, they are likely to know individuals who died in combat. For them, Memorial Day can be a time that fills them with many mixed emotions, and it is important to be sensitive to their needs.

Whether your senior loved one lives on their own, with you, or in an assisted living facility, you can aid them in flying the American flag. This is an excellent way for them to show their patriotism and do something personally that shows how much they honor Memorial Day. The size or location of the flag does not matter, just as long as they are involved in the flag flying process.

If your senior loved one knows any veterans who have passed away, they can take flowers or a flag to their gravesite. This is a meaningful way for them to pay their respects to those who have served and passed on.

Remembering those who have gone before us helps future generations feel connected to their heritage and strengthens families. Gather your family for a picnic and ask your senior loved one to tell stories about their comrades at the cemetery. Some cemeteries are designed to be beautiful park-like settings. They have rolling green lawns, ponds, forested areas, and even trails for walking or biking. These can be great places for a picnic and to feel close to your ancestors as you enjoy the peaceful setting with your living family members.

But, Memorial Day can be a painful time for some family members who are still grieving, so if there are others at the cemetery please be mindful of them.

Decorating gravestones is the most common way that families honor their ancestors and loved ones. Some families adorn graves with flowers, others with flags. Still, others leave pebbles or coins. It is also common to leave small tokens of remembrances at the graveside. Make sure to check the cemetery’s guidelines on grave decorations.

Finally, the most important thing is supporting your loved ones by honoring the holiday in a way that is special to them. Take time to really listen to their needs and respect their requests.

“Veterans are a symbol of what makes our nation great, and we must never forget all they have done to ensure our freedom.”- Rodney Frelinghuysen

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“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves.” – Pico Iyer Traveling can provide an insightful perspective into your life, but when you're grieving, that perspective often widens into something much more. Grief can be isolating and lonely. Traveling can serve as a reminder to yourself that there is a whole world out there outside of the walls of your home and familiar places that may remind you of your loss. A vacation may be the last thing on your mind. However, it can aid in your grieving journey by not forgetting that you are grieving but making it easier to remember good times with your loved one. We’ve come up with four ideal vacations to consider to enrich your heart and soul, melt away stress and have a deeply rejuvenating and meaningful adventure. The Cruise Vacation Being away at sea can be healing for grieving on both an emotional and health level. Nothing says adventure like booking a voyage and being whisked away on a ship to forget about real life for a week or so. On a cruise, you’ll be waited on hand and foot and have access to food around the clock, on board entertainment and an environment of elegance and fun. Plenty of sunshine gives your body a Vitamin D dose, which boosts the immune system and offers natural anti-depressants from positive endorphins. Fresh ocean water also produces positive mental function and respiratory health. As a big plus, there are cruise packages for every budget. You can book anything from a quick 3-day cruise to Mexico or the Caribbean, to a 14-day Alaskan or Mediterranean voyage. The Therapeutic Vacation While there is a time for adventure, for some the grieving journey calls for complete relaxation. In this case, an all-inclusive resort package in a tropical location may work wonders. Perhaps a more budget-friendly option is a getaway to a cabin or bed and breakfast? Many people choose to book stays specializing in therapeutic relaxation and spa treatments. All of these are awesome options if you want to lower the cortisol levels in your body and enjoy the soothing relaxation of treating yourself. In the United States, locations like Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Asheville, North Carolina can offer plenty of rest and relaxation. If you’re thinking of adding stamps to your passport, the Icelandic or Irish countryside can rejuvenate you. The Physical Activity Vacation Many people choose to grieve by engulfing themselves into rigorous physical activity. This is a great way to de-stress while improving your health and adding years to your life. Some people might choose vacations with world-class fitness centers or challenges, while others prefer to embark on natural physical challenges including climbs, hikes, and trails. Climbing Japan’s Mt. Fuji not only to physically exert yourself but also to boost your emotional health through confronting and conquering a challenge. You’ll have stories for life when you decide to explore natural rainforests or go kayaking through British Columbia or New Zealand. The Sight-Seeing Vacation Taking in breathtaking monuments, structures or natural wonders do a lot to expand your horizons and touch your emotions. These vacations work to put life and the world into perspective, which is essential in any grief journey. There are countless sights and landmarks to see. A trip to check out the Grand Canyon, Eiffel Tower, New York Skyscrapers, Swiss Alps, Great Wall of China, Pyramids of Africa and the list goes on. You can’t go wrong with any of these vacations. Comb through them to see which touch your heart and fill needs that will help your mental, physical and spiritual health.
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