Commemorating Memorial Day at Work

Memorial Day is right around the corner and will be observed on Monday, May 31, 2021: the final day of Military Appreciation Month, which is celebrated in the U.S. each May.

With COVID-19 restrictions easing up, you may see a return to “typical” Memorial Day activities like cookouts and BBQs, flash sales, and pool parties, which begs the question: is this really the best way to celebrate Memorial Day? After all, wasn’t this holiday founded to honor and commemorate those who sacrificed their lives for our country?

It’s true that nearly every U.S. national holiday has been commercialized: Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and arguably more than any other, Christmas. But the commercialization of holidays like Memorial Day and Veterans Day seems especially irksome. In light of that context, here are our best tips to help your organization honor this holiday appropriately.

Below, you’ll find some key data points as well as best practices for celebrating Memorial Day at work.