RVing just might be the most ‘Merican way possible to spend Memorial Day — and personally, I don’t think it’s even close. Here’s why. On the day that the entire nation reflects on the enormous cost of liberty, experiencing that freedom to the fullest is one of the ways we honor the fallen — from the days of our forefathers to the present.
We’ve been given a great country. On Memorial Day, your RV clears the road to some of our nation’s most hallowed emotional territory. And as an added bonus, even if you’re behind the cockpit of a luxury Class B, you’re still basically carting around a wagon with your possessions in it. (Last I checked, pioneering is a pretty American thing to do.)
Here are the best ways to max out Memorial Day from your RV like a patriot. So, wherever you are on the road, you can celebrate this country and honor those who have sacrificed so much for us.
Camp Near a War Memorial
These days, seems like memorials only make the news if someone is defacing them. But politics aside, there’s little debate over the value of remembrance. In the quiet corners of our country, there are innumerable memorials to those who have fallen. And they’re all worth a visit.
Most of the well-known memorials are in Washington D.C., which might make it the best American RV destination for Memorial Day weekend. But wherever you’re camping, there’s likely one in driving distance. Some of our lesser known favorites are: the U.S. National Memorial Arch in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania and Grosse Point War Memorial in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. Each of these memorials is surrounded by history, and a visit to any is an opportunity to learn more about each conflict.
Visit a National Cemetery
This may sound somber, but that’s OK. Memorial Day is a day when we’re supposed to reflect directly upon the human cost of what we value. Little does that like being in proximity to our country’s fallen. It’s a potent but necessary reminder.
National cemeteries are also where many veterans and Gold Star Families go to remember loved ones they have lost. These cemeteries are situated across the country, and many observe Memorial Day with special ceremonies. Some, like Arlington National Cemetery, have national significance. Others, like the Presidio (the name for San Francisco National Cemetery), have a richer local history. Each, however, stands as a testament to the sacrifices that veterans and their families make on behalf of the nation we love.
Explore an Iconic American City
In 2009, four weeks before I shipped out to deploy to Iraq, I visited New York City for a weekend. The trip was amazing — a glowing reminder of many of the best things about the land of the free and the home of the brave. There were patriotic things to do, like the 9/11 Memorial, but my favorite was the Intrepid Museum, which lets you explore a retired WWI US Navy ship the USS Intrepid. Still, the most ‘Merican thing to do was just to wander, appreciating the diverse sights, sounds, and smells of one of the greatest cities in the world.
There are other cities that hold a special national significance, too. Consider Wallydocking near Boston’s Freedom Trail, where you can wander the historic streets where our freedom was incubated. Or park near Gettysburg (we especially love Gettysburg Battlefield Resort), the Alamo, Philadelphia, or Mount Rushmore. Each has plentiful options for RV parking, and plenty of patriotic sights to see over a freedom-filled weekend.
Send a Care Package
Memorial Day honors those who have fallen in defense of our freedom, but spreading the love to those currently deployed is a fantastic way to honor them. Several civilian organizations facilitate these care packages, including the USO, or civilian organizations like Operation Gratitude.
While in Iraq, my unit and I would receive care packages from time to time that were sent from some great Americans with no idea who we were. Packages would just arrive and be distributed to everyone. There would be cards in the packages, addressed generically, and always signed with love. Every time these packages arrived, it didn’t really matter what was in them. It always meant something that somebody was thinking of us.
Visit a Campground Memorial Day Celebration
Many large campgrounds, especially family-oriented locations like KOAs, have Memorial Day celebrations. Each will vary in the activities available, but each is certain to be a collection of diversely patriotic Americans gathering to let freedom ring. There’s usually lots of live music, games and rides for kids, and special food available. Because RV parks are already gathering places for like-minded American adventurers, when you add the extra emphasis of a patriotic weekend, there’s an extra friendly energy.
Celebrate Your Freedom
Most anyone who served, whether for a few years or a career, would agree that the best way for you to honor those who fought for our freedom is to live out your own. Live your best life, remembering that not everyone has the same liberty we do, and aggressively pursue your happiness in your own way. Remember the cost. And remember what’s at stake as we continue this great American experiment. Do those things, and you’ll join millions of Americans in living out the legacy that every fallen veteran has given us.
