There are many reasons a day like Memorial Day – as Americans honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military – means a great deal to us here at Krause Funeral Homes. Our caring staff has a long history of paying tribute to veterans, and this dedication comes from a very personal place: The second generation of Krause funeral directors all took great pride in serving their country.
Memorial Day is officially celebrated on the last Monday of May, with many remembering our fallen warriors by attending memorial ceremonies, lending a helping hand to our living veterans, and paying respects at cemeteries nationwide. It’s all about fulfilling a calling to honor those courageous men and women who have served and given their lives for the causes of freedom, liberty, and peace.
Remembering Those Who Served
We believe it vitally important to remember and appreciate every man and woman who has served – because each one has sacrificed for our country. The number of lives lost is staggering, with well over one million Unites States military personnel giving their lives in true acts of heroism and courage.
Dating back to the 1860s, Memorial Day stemmed from a desire to honor those who died in the Civil War. It’s estimated that more than 600,000 soldiers died from combat, starvation, accidents, and disease during that 4-year span. After WWI, the holiday broadened to honor all Americans who died fighting in any war.
We believe it’s important to remember we should honor our veterans not just in death, and not just this week, but all the time, and certainly while they are still with us. As Memorial Day approaches, consider paying tribute in this way:
Decorate a grave with flowers
Whether it’s tidying and laying flowers, a wreath, or a flag at the final resting place of a veteran loved one or “adopting” a gravesite, this simple act of respect and remembrance honors their memory.
Wear America’s colors
As displayed on our nation’s flag, white signifies purity and innocence, red stands for hardiness and valor, and blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice. On Memorial Day, the color red and the poppy flower symbolize a remembrance of those who died in war. Show your patriotism by donning these colors as a show of support for those who lost their lives protecting our country.
Take a moment of silence at 3 p.m.
The “National Moment of Remembrance Act” was signed into law in 2000, specifying that every American should pause for one minute at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day each year. Pause in an act of national unity to reflect on the sacrifices made by the men and women who died defending the freedoms and values we enjoy today.
Our experienced team is honored to help families of veterans navigate the paperwork needed to make sure all appropriate honors and benefits are received. When it comes time to lay a veteran to rest, we immediately know what to do to ensure an honorable farewell. Every veteran has a unique story to tell and we make sure this comes to fruition while saying goodbye. These are stories we need to hear so that our past is never forgotten.
We can also help arrange for burial in national cemeteries, coordinate services with military honors from all military branches, present a U.S. burial flag, and more.
If you would like more information on Krause Funeral Homes or the services we offer for veterans and their families, please contact us. We are here ready to say thank you to the many brave men and women who have defended our freedom.
This Memorial Day, take time to show your gratitude to the Wisconsin veterans you know. All of us at Krause offer a sincere thank you to those who served and continue to serve today. Walking alongside the families of veterans is one small way our team extends its gratitude. We encourage you to take time out of your day to reflect on the sacrifices military men and woman have made and continue to make every day.