9 Memorial Day Activities In Your HOA To Honor Fallen Heroes

If you want to hold Memorial Day activities in your HOA, there are many ways to do it. These activities are quite diverse, with some requiring a large budget and ample planning, while others only requiring a small fund with little preparation. Regardless, if you want to do something this upcoming holiday, you can get your ideas below.

Top Memorial Day Activities in Your HOA

Memorial Day is a federal holiday dedicated to commemorating the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their nation. Given its deep historical and cultural impact, it is only right for Americans to take this time to celebrate the holiday.

Homeowners associations are no exception. These communities are known for putting together events and activities on important holidays and occasions. This coming Memorial Day weekend, take the chance to honor fallen veterans and instill camaraderie in residents by planning one of the following events.

1. Educate Residents

Even today, many Americans remain unaware of the true meaning behind Memorial Day. For some, it’s merely seen as another day off from work. It’s crucial to ensure that your community understands why Memorial Day is so significant.

A lot of people still confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Although these holidays share certain similarities, they serve distinct purposes. Memorial Day is dedicated to honoring fallen veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice in battle. On the other hand, Veterans Day pays tribute to all veterans.

2. Organize a Flag-Raising Ceremony

One of the simple yet sincere community Memorial Day events is a flag-raising ceremony. For the event, select a designated spot within your neighborhood, ideally a communal area.

To add a meaningful touch to the ceremony, you may also want to enlist the participation of a local veterans group. Encourage homeowners to attend the flag-raising ceremony and converse with local veterans’ group members afterward.

If your HOA can’t plan a flag-raising ceremony, you can ask residents to fly the American flag. Of course, residents should do so according to the U.S. Flag Code.

3. Schedule a Memorial Day Service

Memorial Day serves as a poignant reminder to honor the courageous veterans who gave their lives in service of their country. One of the best Memorial Day activities in your HOA is organizing a Memorial service. This is a fitting tribute to their bravery and sacrifice.

Partner with a local veterans’ group for a genuine and meaningful experience. To set the tone, you can start the service with a flag-raising ceremony. After that, veterans can share their personal experiences with residents.

4. Take the Opportunity to Give Back

Giving back to the veteran community is a great way to commemorate fallen heroes. Encourage residents to participate in the community service project or volunteer for one on their own time. There are many organizations your HOA can collaborate with, including The Fisher House Foundation and Homes for Our Troops.

5. Stream the National Memorial Day Parade

The National Memorial Day Parade stands as a cherished American tradition. Each year, throngs gather along Constitution Avenue in Washington, DC, to witness veteran units and marching bands pay proud homage to the nation’s fallen heroes.

Yet, venturing to DC isn’t always feasible for everyone. Your HOA can organize a live-watching event at a common area or facility as a compromise. Set up a large screen in your community clubhouse or outdoor space. Major networks usually have a live broadcast of the parade. Alternatively, you can stream it online through the American Veterans Center’s YouTube and Facebook pages.

6. Have a Community-Wide Memorial Day Parade

Watching the National Parade is one of your HOA’s most fun Memorial Day activities. Who says you can’t have your own little parade in your community?

To create your own Memorial Day parade, ask residents to volunteer to march down the street with their decorated wagons, bikes, and cars. If you have golf carts in your HOA, you can re-purpose them temporarily.

Everyone can dress in patriotic color schemes, wave flags around, and mingle with neighbors as they chomp on good food and drinks. You can even invite a local marching band to spice things up!

7. Set Memorial Day Walk or Run

Memorial Day walks and runs draw widespread participation nationwide. Organize one for your community if there are no walks or runs in your local area. Designate a trail for the run or walk through the neighborhood or a nearby park. Then, spread the word and ask for participants.

Hosting a Memorial Day walk or run pays tribute to fallen veterans in the community and promotes physical activity. As temperatures rise, though, your HOA should set up water stations along the route to keep everyone hydrated.

8. Plan a Summer Social Event

Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. What better way to welcome the new season and celebrate the holiday than social events?

Here are some great examples of Memorial Day events in an HOA:

• Pool Party. If your HOA has a community pool, plan a pool party to kickstart summer on a high. Of course, ensure everyone still follows pool rules for health and safety.
• Neighborhood Cookout. A barbecue is a great way to bring residents together while enjoying excellent food. People can also show off their grilling skills and family recipes.
• Community Picnic. Why not organize a picnic if you have a park or a large open space? Have residents bring their meals or make it a potluck. You can organize games and other fun activities to round out the experience.

9. Give Residents a Little Nudge

If your HOA doesn’t have the resources to organize a community-wide event, residents can still honor Memorial Day individually. Encourage them to participate by visiting a war memorial in person or virtually. Many memorials offer online tours.

Additionally, residents can pay their respects by strolling a nearby veterans’ cemetery. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website provides a helpful tool to locate these cemeteries.

Have Fun With Memorial Day Activities in Your HOA

Memorial Day offers an opportunity for HOAs to unite their communities in honoring the sacrifices of fallen veterans. And as you can see, there are numerous ways for HOAs to commemorate this significant holiday. By embracing these activities, HOAs can ensure that the spirit of Memorial Day lives on in their neighborhoods.

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• 9 Special Ways To Celebrate Memorial Day With Family
• 5 Wonderful Ways To Honor Veterans In Your HOA
• HOA Social Committee Ideas For Your Community