How to be Patriotic as a Millennial

Memorial Day is next week, and while it is easy to get caught up in all the amazing deals, bbq’s, lake days, and everything else that Memorial Day entails, you have to remember the true meaning of the day. It is a day of remembrance for all of the fallen soldiers who have served our great country.

Being a Millennial, I get lots of flack on how people my age aren’t patriotic or that Millennials are the least patriotic generation to come. I don’t necessarily agree with this, but I thought of some super easy ways for Millennials to show their patriotism this Memorial Day.

Fly a flag

This one is probably one of the easiest ways you can show patriotism during Memorial Day weekend, or frankly any day of the year. Head to your local Lowe’s and pick up a flag pole, and then bing bang boom you can hang a flag at any time.

The American flag is such an iconic symbol for our country that hanging one outside of your home just shows respect and love for the country we all live in.

Wear red, white, and blue

Again another super easy one. Especially during this time of year, stores are booming with red, white, and blue clothing items. There are also a ton of fun patriotic tees and graphic tees that are perfect for the upcoming warm weather. You don’t even have to combine all three colors into one look. Focusing on red, or stars gets the point across just as well. I personally love wearing red and white polkadots to show a little extra patriotism. I linked a few of my favorite patriotic items here.

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Talk to your grandparents who are veterans

This one I find to be super rewarding, humbling, and just lead to great conversations. My grandpa served in the Vietnam War, and he doesn’t talk about his experience in war much, but I have never met a more patriotic person. He ALWAYS flies an American flag outside of his house, he proudly has a veteran sticker on his car, and he shows his country how much he loves it every day.

Talking to my grandpa about his time overseas was extremely eye opening and made me want to honor veterans more than ever. Hearing the stories and lessons he learned made me very gracious for the people who put their lives on the line to keep us safe at home. Make sure this Memorial Day you hug the veterans in your life a little tighter and be so thankful that they are still with you.

Register to vote

I am a firm believer that every American should be registered to vote. But with being registered to vote comes with the responsibility of educating yourself on the people running and the different parties. If someone registers to vote and doesn’t take the time to do the research to become an informed voter, then it is practically useless.

I think that people, especially Millennials need to be educated voters in order to be heard. I am not saying you need to protest around Washington (but if that is how you show support, then you go girl!), but taking some time to learn about the people who are running the government is extremely important in my eyes.

I have voted for every election since I was 18- nationally, regionally, and even locally for my county. I think it is your civic duty to vote and you are throwing away your rights as a United States citizen if you do not capitalize this great right we have. Just think about how many humans throughout the world do not have the right to vote- especially women? So come on all my boss babes and register to vote!

Go to a parade

Parades are just so fun. Call me lame, but I love parades — all kinds of parades. My family grew up going to all different types of parades- holidays, patriotic, any kind of parade in the area, my family would show support. One thing I remember as a little girl is whenever the American flag passed you during a parade, you stood up as a way to show respect.

If you look at most parades, there are many patriotic aspects to them: the flags, military groups, veteran groups, police departments, fire departments, and so much more. Supporting a parade is a great way to show your patriotism.

This Memorial Day weekend, there are so many parades happening. From downtown Chicago to the suburbs. Take a look at the different parades here.

Volunteer at a veteran’s hospital

Volunteering is always a great way to give back no matter what. But to show some extra patriotism, why not volunteer at a local veteran hospital. Whether that be volunteering with patients in the hospital, or donating resources, or donating your time, anything counts.

I looked up the closest veteran hospital to me, and it is the Jesse Brown VA hospital in Chicago. They have so many volunteering opportunities, I listed some below. I think the magazine/book cart or the beverage cart would be right up my alley. I love making relationships with people and hearing their life stories.

• Information Desk Volunteer
• Volunteer Office Assistant
• Pharmacy Assistant
• Volunteer Menu Assistant
• Discharge Patient Survey Caller
• Patient Escort Volunteers
• Hospitality Beverage Cart
• Amenity Relief Volunteer
• Magazine / Book Cart

Visit a patriotic location

There are so many military attractions in Chicago, that I was even unaware of. From the Vietnam Veteran Memorial, to the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, Solider Field, to Navy Pier. All of these places have something that honor veterans or those in the military. Visiting one of these attractions this weekend would be an amazing way to honor those veterans who have fallen.

Don’t get too distracted by all the fun things going on this Memorial Day weekend. Remember the true meaning of the day. To my fellow Millennials, let’s prove that we are a patriotic generation, and show some patriotism this week, and moving forward.

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