Before the grill gets lit, I'm taking a minute to remember the men and women who didn't come home. They deserve at least that.

Some of them were 19 and never got to see 20. That's what today is about, and I won't let myself forget it.

At 3 p.m. today I'll stop whatever I'm doing for a minute of silence. It's a small thing, but it's the least we owe the fallen.

I know today is heavy for you. I'm thinking of the friends you served with who didn't make it back, and I'm here if you want to talk about them, or not talk at all.

Dad, I know Memorial Day isn't about you. It's about the guys from your unit you still talk about. I'm remembering them with you today.

Grandpa, I'll never forget the stories you told me about the friends you lost in Vietnam. Today I'm saying their names with you.

Every one of them was somebody's son or daughter, brother or sister, best friend. Remembering them all today.

My great-uncle's name is on the memorial in our town square. Every year we leave flowers there, and every year I wish I'd known him.

The fallen gave up every ordinary day we take for granted: Monday mornings, family dinners, growing old. Let's not waste ours, and let's not forget them.

If you hear Taps today, stop for a second. Someone gave everything so that song could play over a free country.

Soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen and Guardians. Every branch has lost people it will never stop missing. We remember them all today.

We're keeping the cookout small this year and starting it with a toast to the ones who never got to come home. Thanks for remembering with us.

Thinking of your granddad today. Thank you for always making sure our kids know his name and his story.

They didn't get to come home, so the least we can do is carry their names forward. We remember.

I know you'll be at the cemetery this morning with your old platoon. Give them my respect. I'm remembering your buddies with you, brother.

Thinking of you and your son today. I'll always remember his laugh and how he could fill a room. He is not forgotten, and neither are you.

No words fix this, and I won't pretend they do. I just want you to know I'm remembering your daughter today, and I'm proud I knew her.

Today the whole country says we remember. You remember every single day. Sending you love from across the miles.

I know Memorial Day can be one of the hardest days of the year for you. If you'd like company at the cemetery, or just someone to drop off dinner, I'm here.

Your husband was one of the bravest, kindest people I've ever known. Thinking of you and the kids today, and every day.

We're placing flowers for your brother this morning. He's in our hearts, and so are you.

Your dad's service made a difference to this country, and his kindness made a difference to me. I'm remembering him with you today.

I didn't know your son, but I read his story this week and I'll keep it with me. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.

Every year we tell our kids about the young man from our street who never came home from Afghanistan. Your family's sacrifice is part of our family's story now.

If you want to talk about him today, I'd love to hear the stories. If you need quiet, I'll respect that too. Either way, I'm thinking of you.

As Memorial Day gets closer, I've been thinking about you and about your son. I still remember the summer he helped us move, cracking jokes the whole time and refusing to take a dime. He was the kind of person who showed up, and he showed up for this country too. I know today will be crowded with flags and speeches, and some of it may feel like a lot. For me it isn't about a ceremony. It's about him, and about you. If you'd like company today, I'm only a phone call away. With love and respect.

There's a flag in our yard today for your husband. He's remembered on this street, and you're never alone here.

Please accept our family's deepest respect on Memorial Day. Your loved one's service and sacrifice will be remembered, and we're keeping all of you in our thoughts.

Grief doesn't follow a calendar, but I know this weekend weighs a little more. Sending you all my love, and remembering your hero right alongside you.

Mom, I know today you'll be thinking about Uncle Ray the way you do every year. I'll bring the coffee and we'll go to the cemetery together.

This weekend kicks off summer for a lot of us. Before it does, let's remember the ones who never got another summer.

Memorial Day isn't about a sale or a day off. It's about the Americans who died in uniform. Say a name today if you know one.

Visited the national cemetery this morning. Rows and rows of small flags, each one a life cut short. We remember.

Not a happy day, but a grateful one. Remembering every service member who didn't make it home.

Our family will pause at 3 p.m. for the National Moment of Remembrance. Join us, wherever you are.

Today I'm remembering my cousin, who died serving in Iraq. He was funny, stubborn, and loyal to a fault. Miss you every single day.

Since 1868, Americans have decorated the graves of the fallen at the end of May. Today we keep that promise.

To every Gold Star family scrolling past today: we haven't forgotten. Not the names, not the faces, not the cost.

The flag flies at half-staff until noon today, then goes back up to full staff. The nation mourns its fallen, then carries on in their honor. Remembering them.

Every one of them had plans. A trip, a kid to raise, a life to live. Remembering what they gave up for us.

Freedom isn't free. Today we remember who paid for it.

Small-town parade, a bugle playing Taps, a few hundred people standing quiet in the sun. That's Memorial Day done right.

Teaching the kids why we put flags on the graves this morning. Some lessons you can't learn from a textbook.

Our office will be closed Monday, May 31, for Memorial Day. We hope you'll take a moment over the long weekend to remember the service members who gave their lives for our country.

As Memorial Day approaches, we're thinking especially of colleagues who have lost family or friends in military service. You're in our thoughts this weekend.

Before we head into the long weekend: thank you for a great week, and please join us in remembering the men and women who died serving our country.

We invite everyone to join the National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time on Monday, wherever you are. One minute of silence for those who gave everything.

I know Memorial Day is personal for you. I'm thinking of the friends you lost in service, and I hope the weekend gives you the space you need.

Thank you for letting us leave early Friday so we can travel to visit family graves. It means a lot to those of us honoring loved ones this weekend.

Wishing you a meaningful Memorial Day weekend. However you spend it, let's carry a moment of gratitude for those who didn't come home.

From all of us at the firm: we're observing Memorial Day in remembrance of the Americans who died in military service. Our offices will reopen on Tuesday.

Rest up this weekend, and if you pass a cemetery with flags on the graves, take a second to remember why they're there.

Our hearts are with every employee whose family carries a Gold Star. Your loved ones are remembered here.

Our team is volunteering Saturday morning to place flags at the county veterans cemetery. Everyone is welcome to join us.

A quick note before the long weekend: Memorial Day honors those who died in service. Let's keep them in mind between the barbecues.

Remembering the ones who didn't come home.

Not happy, just grateful. Remembering the fallen.

Thinking of the fallen and the families who miss them.

Saying their names today.

We remember. Today and every day.

Pausing at 3 p.m. to remember the fallen.

They gave everything. We won't forget.

Thinking of you today, and of him.

Flowers on the graves, flags at half-staff, hearts full of gratitude.

A quiet morning for the ones who gave everything.

For every empty chair at the table today.

Remembering your brother with you today.

Grateful, humbled, remembering.

Let's live lives worthy of their sacrifice.

Heavenly Father, receive into Your peace the men and women who died serving our country. Comfort the families who miss them, and let their sacrifice never be forgotten. Amen.

Lord, be near to every Gold Star mother and father today. Hold them up when the grief feels heavier than they can carry. Amen.

God, we thank You for the courage of those who laid down their lives for others. Teach us to honor them by working for peace. Amen.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13) Remembering the fallen in prayer today.

Lord, for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, medics and chaplains who didn't come home, we give You thanks. Grant them eternal rest, and grant us grateful hearts. Amen.

Praying today for the families who'll visit a grave instead of hosting a cookout. Lord, be their comfort and their strength.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. Remembering our fallen service members in prayer this Memorial Day.

God of all comfort, we lift up those who served beside the fallen and still carry the memory of that day. Bring them peace and healing. Amen.

Whatever your faith, I hope you'll join me in a quiet prayer or a moment of silence for the fallen and the families who love them.

Father, thank You for the lives of those who gave everything for this nation. Help us honor their memory not just with words, but with how we live. Amen.

Lord, we pray for peace, so that fewer families will ever know this grief. Bless the memory of the fallen. Amen.