By: Sophie Normand

Memorial Day weekend is the universal sign that summer is finally starting. It’s also an important day of remembrance to salute all those Americans who have given their lives for us and to say thank you to our veterans. Memorial Day is usually a time for barbecues, parties, fireworks, and parades, but with the social distancing rules still in place in many parts of the country, things are going to look a little different this year. That doesn’t mean that we have to give up our Memorial Day traditions completely! Check out IMPACT Collective’s list of fun things to do this Memorial Day weekend below:

Host a Zoom barbecue

While it’s not quite the same thing as a real barbecue with friends, Zoom has given us the next best thing! Get your friends together with your favorite dish, a nice cold drink, and toast the long weekend virtually.

Volunteer with an organization that supports veterans

Even though there are restrictions on activities and social interactions right now, there are still lots of opportunities to get involved in a range of organizations that support veterans. For example, Operation Gratitude puts together care packages that get sent to deployed troops, first responders, veterans, and military families. Check out their website for a whole host of ways to virtually get involved!

If you’re interested in getting involved to support COVID-19 relief efforts, in honor of Memorial Day, check out some nonprofits like World Central Kitchen, or DC Dream Center. These organizations have been putting care packages and meal packages together to safely deliver to those in need in the DC area and could always use another hand!

Do a virtual tour of Arlington National Cemetery

 Arlington National Cemetery has been closed to the public for a while now, due to the social distancing and stay-at-home orders. However, it is possible to take a virtual tour of the Cemetery through their website. There are also a few videos you can watch on Arlington National Cemetery’s YouTube page, to learn more about the Cemetery and some of the history.

Watch the National Memorial Day parade on TV

 The National Memorial Day parade has been one of the major events in the DC area (and in the country!) for years. Unfortunately, the parade isn’t able to happen live this year. However, there will be a pre-recorded television special broadcast on ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox stations across the country instead. To read more about The American Veterans Center’s statement on this, check out their website here.

We wish that things were different and that we could celebrate our Memorial Day traditions together. Even though we can’t get together in person yet, there are still lots of fun ways to celebrate Memorial Day in the nation’s capital this year! We look forward to celebrating with you again someday soon—and happy Memorial Day from your friends at IMPACT Collective!