Today I’m sharing free printables and other resources for celebrating Memorial Day. Although our family will be spending the afternoon picnicking and swimming at our local pool, we are taking time this morning to discuss the origins and meaning of Memorial Day and to remember the soldiers who gave their lives defending our country and preserving our freedom.
We encourage you to set aside some time for remembering our fallen heroes, as well. Here are some additional resources to help you do so.
Free Resources for Celebrating Memorial Day
Why Memorial Day is Different than Veterans Day
This Washington Post article includes a brief video explaining the difference and a couple of infographics that show the military death count form each of America’s major wars.
The Ultimate Sacrifice
This coloring page highlights a central themes in Scripture: “Greater love has no one than this, that one would lay down his life for his friends.” Can you think of a more fitting Bible verse for Memorial Day?
Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
Memorial Day was originally known as “Decoration Day” — a day set aside for honoring soldiers who’d died during the Civil War and adorning their graves with flags, wreaths, or flowers.
In Flanders Fields
Here is a free printable version of John McCrae’s poignant WWI poem, In Flanders Fields, that you and/or your children might enjoy coloring. McCrae was a Canadian physician who wrote the poem in honor of a fallen comrade.
Changing of the Guard
If you’ve ever visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, you may have seen the changing of the guard in person. If not, you can observe this solemn ceremony on YouTube.
We hope these resources will help make this Memorial Day more meaningful. How do you plan to spend the day?
More American Heritage Printables
Want more fun printables for folks who love America and long for it to be great again? You can browse through all of our past patriotic posts by following this link: American Heritage Printables. And for more great quotes from our past commanders-in-chief, check out this President’s Day post.
Or maybe you’d prefer a bound volume. If so, check out my devotional journals. The one in the center of the lineup below, God Bless America, was made just for patriotic citizens like you.
Packed with inspiring thoughts from our founding fathers and other great Americans, this journal will inspire you to think deeply about what it means to be a citizen of this great country. What is our responsibility to the rest of the world? How do we ensure the guiding principles on which our nation was established are never forgotten? Consider how you feel about these matters and use the space provided to write down your thoughts.
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