10 Ways to Observe Memorial Day, the Right Way

Memorial Day is a time to honor and show your respect for the brave and courageous men and women in our armed forces who've made incredible sacrifices to protect our freedoms. Unfortunately, we've somehow found a way to turn this day of homage into a festival of overeating and relaxation on your day off.

With the help of www.MyMemorialDay.org, here are 10 easy ways to observe this Memorial Day, the right way, and still have time to enjoy that family barbecue:

1.  Thank a Veteran

2. Place a flag on a Veteran's grave

3. Visit a military museum or historical site

4. Conduct an oral history with a Veteran you know

5. Knit a scarf for a Veteran

6. Organize a school observance

7. Honor your Veteran with a tribute gift

8. Read a book about WWII history

9. Honor a Veteran on Facebook

10. Write a Letter to the Editor (your Patch Editor -- mariesam@patch.com)