Observing Memorial Day as a Veteran

Memorial Day can be a difficult time for many veterans. Contrary to the celebratory nature of days like Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day takes a moment to acknowledge those who have given their lives in the line of duty protecting their country, families, and fellow service members. This day is somber and can come with many difficult memories and challenges for veterans. Having a plan to observe Memorial Day and properly pay respects and thanks to fellow service members is paramount to expressing gratitude and caring for personal needs this May. 

Veterans constantly put their physical and emotional well-being on the line to serve their country, with each day bringing new challenges, stresses, and potentially life-threatening situations. With the life-threatening nature of answering the call of duty, loss can be familiar for many service members. Yet, acknowledging the loss of brothers and sisters in arms in the line of duty can still be incredibly difficult. Moreover, these challenges do not end when a person is discharged from service, with many veterans continuing to hang on to the experiences, memories, and traumas of their time in the military in civilian life. 

For many, reliving the life-changing events that led to the loss of a fellow service member is extraordinarily difficult, with many feeling doubt, guilt, or survivor’s guilt in the face of such memories. These events can also be linked to further personal traumas, with anxiety, depression, flashbacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more all being common in veteran life. Coping with this is already difficult, and Memorial Day can bring these intense feelings and memories back to the surface.

Memorial Day is important for honoring and respecting those who have fallen in the line of duty. However, for veterans continuing to carry their memories and dreams, the day is intensely heavy. Knowing how to honor those who have lost their lives, as well as support veterans still living, can be difficult to balance, with education and support being necessary for veterans, their families, and their communities. 

Memorial Day is an important time, with many veterans and families looking to honor those who sacrificed everything for their country. Planning effective ways to honor those fallen while tending to personal needs, challenging memories, and reminders of traumatic experiences this Memorial Day is crucial for developing a healthy approach to the holiday. 

The day marks a very difficult time for many, and knowing that emotions will be high with feelings of depression, loss, guilt, grief, and more all being common can make the day feel fragile and tense. Expecting this type of atmosphere is paramount to empowering veterans and their families to navigate Memorial Day. Having support available to curate an atmosphere where veterans are empowered to grieve is necessary. 

Allowing veterans to be human, providing them a space to talk about their challenges, and creating a safe space for veterans to express feelings of loss are essential to honor the memories of those who gave their lives in the line of duty. 

Veteran support groups and dedicated veteran communities like those available through Hawaii Island Recovery’s Hawaii recovery center are instrumental during this time. One of the best ways veterans can acknowledge the memories of brothers and sisters in arms is to keep their spirit alive through stories – sharing their memories, accomplishments, and more this Memorial Day. Telling stories can be a great way to honor those who have lost their lives while keeping them in the hearts of everyone they touched. 

Meeting with veteran support groups can provide a safe and understanding place to truly discuss the impact of these fellow service members while also finding the support of a truly understanding and sympathetic community. 

With the hustle and bustle of daily life, it can be difficult to step back and truly honor those lost. A moment of silence is a great way to put aside the stresses and entropy of daily life and truly focus on the sacrifices made this Memorial Day. For some, having a moment of silence at home with the memories of brothers and sisters in arms can be a great method of remembrance. 

Communities will also observe Memorial Day by having group military services. Attending these can be a great way to meet other veterans in solidarity and community. While the service members being remembered will differ from person to person, it can be a great way to show respect and thanks while also finding new camaraderie as a veteran. 

Finding a way to observe Memorial Day can be important and can help contextualize each veteran’s experiences in the military. However, Memorial Day is also a time when symptoms of depression, trauma, and many challenging emotions can manifest. Having support to empower veterans to navigate these challenges, address unhealthy coping mechanisms like substance use, and come together is crucial, and the veteran community at Hawaii Island Recovery is dedicated to helping veterans observe the day and its spirit in a safe and supportive environment. 

Memorial Day can be incredibly difficult for veterans across the country, regardless of what era or branch they served. At Hawaii Island Recovery’s Hawaii recovery center, we understand the need to address, confront, and process the weight of the day to truly memorialize and honor those lost. Our treatment programs are designed to address the needs of veterans, from the effects of substance use and trauma to survivor’s guilt, grief, and more that can still profoundly affect the lives of each veteran in daily life. We also provide an accepting community of veteran peers all sympathetic to the challenges of veterans and are familiar with loss themselves, all working to create an atmosphere of healing. Call us at (866) 390-5070.