Honestly, I used to feel kind of awkward about Memorial Day in USA because my family’s not super patriotic and I didn’t know anyone in the military. But a few years ago, my friends and I started doing stuff that made the day feel important in our own way. Instead of just having a barbecue, we started sharing stories about people we knew who did something brave or helped others, not just soldiers. It kind of became our way of honoring people who sacrificed for others, even if we didn’t know them personally or wave a flag around.

Some of my friends do volunteer work or donate to groups that help veterans’ families, which is pretty cool. Others just take a few quiet minutes to think about people who died fighting for something bigger than themselves. You don’t have to attend a big parade or post patriotic memes online. Even little traditions, like watching a war movie together or making cards for veterans, can make it feel more meaningful. I think as long as you do something thoughtful, you’re keeping the spirit of Memorial Day alive.