{"id":26474,"date":"2020-05-25T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/05\/25\/memorial-day-survival-tips-for-gold-star-families\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:19:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:19:47","slug":"memorial-day-survival-tips-for-gold-star-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2020\/05\/25\/memorial-day-survival-tips-for-gold-star-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Memorial Day survival tips for Gold Star families"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Memorial Day 2020 will be unlike any other \u2014 but you already know this. Like most events and holidays so far this year, COVID-19 has stolen the traditional Memorial Day ceremonies and remembrances<\/a> we\u2019ve come to expect and cherish. The National Cemetery Administration<\/a> remains committed to honoring all who have served and died in the line of duty, in wartime and times of peace, but ceremonies and remembrance activities at Arlington National Cemetery and veterans cemeteries across the country will be different this year <\/a>because of the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This feels personal. Like another loss. And it is \u2014 but this time it\u2019s temporary. Memorial Day has been an American tradition since the days of the Civil War, more than 150 years ago. It has evolved and changed over the years but that\u2019s a topic for another time. And in years to follow, we\u2019ll again see individual flags on the tombstones of our loved ones; we\u2019ll go to parades to honor the fallen, and we\u2019ll gather as family and friends, individual communities, and as a nation to remember the thousands of husbands and wives, sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, and brothers and sisters whom we know by their first names.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do we handle Memorial Day this year?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with most things in life, there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all solution. But with a little planning and some determination, we can find ways that\u2019ll work for us this year. Let\u2019s start by going over a few key points:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Gold Star emotions are raw around Memorial Day.<\/b> This is true in any given year. The anxiety of COVID-19 only makes things worse. Helpful hint: Protect your emotions like you would an open wound. Keep your distance from people, places, and things that will only irritate this wound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Grief increases our hypersensitivity.<\/b> Being cooped up for more than eight weeks has done nothing but decrease our tolerance levels to the annoying people, places, and things mentioned earlier. Helpful hint: Keep this thought nearby and revisit often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Be extra good to yourself.<\/b> Before Memorial Day, do what it takes to recharge your batteries, increase your energy, and build resilience. Helpful hint: It may take a little outside-the-box brainstorming to come up with ideas, if the pandemic has eliminated your go-to ways of recharging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Gold Star families are strong. And tough.<\/b> We are stronger than we realize. And when people, places, things \u2014 and pandemics \u2014 get us down, remember that we\u2019ve already faced the worst thing that could have happened to us, and we\u2019ve survived! Helpful hint: Repeat as often as needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\t