Beyond the BBQ: What Memorial Day Means to This Long Beach Mom

I feel like Memorial Day weekend often sneaks up on us.

It’s tucked at the end of May, just as school is starting to wrap up, summer camps are promoting, and the calendar fills with swim lessons and weekend getaways. For many of us mamas in Long Beach, Memorial Day can feel like the unofficial kickoff to summer: a three-day weekend, maybe a barbecue, beach time with the kids, and a much-needed break from the school routine.

But I recently found myself thinking about what this weekend really means, and how we could talk to our kids about it.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance, a time to honor the men and women who died in service to our country, not about fireworks or mattress sales or even just “a day off.”

It’s about sacrifice.

It’s about stories, many of which will never be told in full.

It’s about the people behind those stories: sons, daughters, spouses, parents.

And as a mama, the weight of that sacrifice hits differently.

If you’re like me, you might be trying to figure out how to strike the balance between celebration and commemoration. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far:

1. Start With a Conversation

Even young kids can grasp the idea of honoring others. Talk to your kids about the real reason behind Memorial Day. You don’t need to get heavy or somber; you can explain that it’s a day to remember people who helped protect our country and to say thank you in our own way.

2. Attend a Local Ceremony or Flag Placement

Long Beach has several Memorial Day observances and events. If your kids are up for it, visit a local cemetery where volunteers place flags on veterans’ graves. Even just walking through and pausing to look at the flags can be a powerful experience.

Check out:

• Green Hills Memorial Park (nearby in Rancho Palos Verdes) for their traditional ceremony. They also have a recorded live stream of the event too.

• Rosie the Riveter Park — great for a local, walkable moment of reflection and learning.

3. Write Letters or Make Cards

While Memorial Day specifically honors those who have died in service, we can extend our support to living veterans. Creating cards or writing letters with your kids can be a simple, hands-on way to connect.

4. Pause for the National Moment of Remembrance

At 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, all Americans are encouraged to pause for a moment of silence. It’s a small act, but powerful when done with intention, even if you’re standing in the sand or handing out popsicles.

5. Donate or Support a Cause

Consider making a donation to an organization that supports military families, veterans, or Gold Star families (those who have lost a loved one in service). Let your kids be part of the process and show them how we give back.

6. Honor Through Storytelling

If you know someone who served — maybe a grandparent, an uncle, or even a friend of the family — tell their story. Take out those photos. Share a memory. Light a candle. Make their name part of your weekend. If you don’t have a personal connection, consider reading books or watching short documentaries appropriate for your kids’ ages.

One of the things I love most about Long Beach is how connected we are. We are a city that shows up for parades, for our schools, for each other, and I believe we can show up for Memorial Day, too. Let this weekend be a blend of celebration and reverence. Let’s make the most of the sun, the sea, and our beautiful city, but let’s also make a moment to say thank you.