As we spend this Memorial Day gathered with family and friends celebrating the unofficial start of summer, let us first and foremost acknowledge what this day of observance truly means.
Patch invites residents to help us honor the men and women who died serving our country by sharing their stories in the comments and uploading photos right to this post. Just click "Upload Photos and Video."
Do you know a local veteran—be it a relative, friend or community member you'd like to see recognized? We encourage you to thank them for their service here, too.
In a column on the Huffington Post, Second Lady of the United States, Dr. Jill Biden, writes that "from a big initiative to a small gesture, Memorial Day is the perfect time to offer a simple act of kindness to our veterans and military families."
Send a message of thanks to our troops or a military family. Pledge hours of service. Start your own volunteer project.