Memorial Day: 5 Ways to Get Involved and Support Our Troops

Memorial Day weekend is a great time for barbecues and relaxing with friends and family. It's the time when summer begins and, for all you ladies out there, May 28 means you are granted permission to wear white pants. 

This weekend, there's also all kinds of ways to honor those who lost their lives in service and those who are still serving our country overseas in Afghanistan and Iraq.

1. Attend a Memorial Day Parade

It's quick and easy to find where and when a local parade is taking place. Simply type in your town and 'Memorial Day Parade' into google and you should be given information on parades near you.

2. Volunteer With Veterans or Military Families

There are approximately 25 million living veterans in America. You can show your support by volunteering at a local VA hospital or facility. Military families may also need a helping hand. Type your zip code into this database for local opportunities.

3. Build Homes for Injured Vets

With Homes for our Troops, you can volunteer to help build specially adapted homes for severely injured veterans. If you aren't handy with a hammer, you can help by hosting a fundraiser.

4. Donate Blood

There will be blood drives across the country this weekend and as the Red Cross notes on their website, "every minute of every day, someone needs blood." Type your zip code into this database and find a blood drive near you.

5. Send a Message of Thanks to Our Troops

A few thoughtful words can go a long way. This Memorial Day, take a few moments and send a note of thanks to a soldier overseas.