7 ways your business can respectfully commemorate Memorial Day 2025

Memorial Day is a time to remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 

But how can small business owners observe this solemn day in a way that feels meaningful and respectful without misstepping or turning it into a hollow marketing gimmick?

Some businesses have found powerful ways to pay tribute. Take Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale, who hosts an annual Memorial Day mattress giveaway for veterans in Houston. In 2025 alone, over 200 mattresses were gifted, supported by local veterans’ groups, creating a tangible impact and heartfelt community connection.

Or American Legion Post Unit 260, which honors the day by distributing red poppies at local supermarkets, a tradition that raises funds for disabled veterans and culminates in ceremonies remembering those who gave their lives.

But not every effort lands the right way. 

In 2013, a popular restaurant chain offered “10 free wings” to military members on Memorial Day. What seemed like a small thank-you sparked a backlash; many felt it reduced the profound sacrifice of service members to a mere food deal, missing the deep respect the day demands.

These examples show how Memorial Day calls for thoughtful actions and messages. As small business owners, it’s important to celebrate with intention, honoring the true spirit of the day. In this blog, we’ll share ways your business can respectfully mark Memorial Day, support veterans, and connect with your community with gratitude.

1. Be thoughtful with your Memorial Day message

If you’re planning to post on social media or update your website for Memorial Day, take a moment to choose your words with care.

Avoid saying “Happy Memorial Day.” This holiday is about remembrance, not celebration. Instead, use language that honors our veterans and acknowledges their bravery and courage. But also ensure that your message isn’t purposefully sad. This day calls for a tone of respect and gratitude, not sorrow or sadness that overwhelms people.

A major media outlet once promoted a Memorial Day piece with an image that leaned heavily into heartbreak and loss. While those feelings are real and important, such imagery risked making the post feel more like a moment of mourning than a tribute.

Instead, choosing visuals that highlight stories of resilience, honor, and remembrance, like photos of families sharing memories or veterans proudly standing together, creates a warmer, more uplifting connection with your audience.

As a small business owner, think carefully about your messaging, images, and tone. Aim to inspire reflection and gratitude without leaning too far into sadness. Share something meaningful, highlight a veteran’s story, share a piece of Memorial Day history, or spotlight a local event that pays tribute. 

2. Offer a military discount

Offering a discount to military personnel is a tangible way to say, “We value your sacrifice.”

If you haven’t done this before, Memorial Day is a meaningful time to start. Whether it’s a weeklong offer or something that lives year-round, extending a special rate to veterans, active-duty members, and military families is a small way to show your business stands with them.

It’s also a way to let your broader customer base see your values in action. People love supporting businesses that give back, especially when it’s done with sincerity.

3. Invite a veteran to speak

Sometimes the most powerful way to understand Memorial Day is to hear it firsthand.

If you know a veteran in your network – a customer, friend, or community member – consider inviting them to speak to your team. It doesn’t need to be formal. A short talk over lunch or a coffee chat can open the door to deeper reflection and real conversations.

If no one is available to speak, consider sharing a recorded interview or a video that talks about a veteran’s experience. Giving your team or customers access to real stories helps ground the day in humanity, not headlines.

4. Commit to hiring veterans

While Memorial Day lasts one day, your commitment to veterans can last much longer, and one of the most meaningful ways to honor their service is to hire them. Veterans bring unique strengths to the workplace: leadership, discipline, adaptability, and a mission-first mindset. These qualities make them valuable team members, especially in small businesses where every role matters.

It’s a heartfelt gesture and a smart business move.

Through the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), your business can receive up to $9,600 in federal tax credits per eligible veteran hire. In fact, veterans made up 6.68% of all WOTC-eligible hires last year, ranking fourth among all qualifying categories.

Even if you’re not hiring right now, take time this Memorial Day to think long-term. What could your business look like if it actively opened doors to those who’ve served?

Also read: Certify your new hires to claim the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

5. Create a space to remember

Set up a small tribute in your shop, office, or storefront: a flag, a framed quote, a candle, or a table of remembrance. Invite customers to write the names of fallen loved ones on cards and add them to the display. Even a single photo and a message of thanks can become a point of reflection.

In the rush of daily life, it reminds us why we pause on Memorial Day: to remember real people, real families, and real sacrifice.

And for your business, it shows that you care. Customers notice when a business takes time to honor something bigger than sales. That emotional connection builds trust and loyalty, especially among military families.

6. Recognize your veteran employees

If you have veterans on your staff, Memorial Day is the perfect time to say something beyond “thank you.” Here’s how you can do that:

• Start with a team-wide message: Share each veteran’s story and service history (with their permission). Let their colleagues know who they are beyond their job title. Add a message from leadership expressing sincere gratitude — not just for their military service, but for the qualities they bring to the business every day.
• Make a meaningful gesture: Whether it’s a handwritten note, a bonus, an extra day off, or a small gift, show your appreciation in a way that feels personal. If you’re offering Memorial Day sales or discounts, let your veteran employees benefit first.
• Highlight them publicly: With their consent, post their stories and photos on your social media or company website. Let customers see the faces behind your business and the values you stand for.

Recognition like this strengthens your workplace culture, deepens team loyalty, and reminds everyone that service and sacrifice don’t go unnoticed.

7. Give back to the community and donate

If your business is running a Memorial Day sale, consider dedicating a portion of those proceeds to organizations that support veterans and military families. You don’t have to make a massive donation. Even a small gesture( $1 per sale, or a flat donation amount) sends a message that you care and that your business stands for more than profit.

You can choose a cause that aligns with your values, like supporting children of fallen service members, helping wounded veterans transition into civilian life, or funding memorial scholarships. One such cause is Children of Fallen Patriots, which helps military children pursue higher education. A student beneficiary shared:

“Children of Fallen Patriots has aided me immensely in my pursuit of a college degree. Thanks to Fallen Patriots, I was able to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from a great university, Southern Methodist University. Without their help, I would not have been able to achieve this goal of mine. They have made an immensely positive difference in my life and I know they are doing the same for so many others.”

That’s the kind of impact your donation can have: real futures, changed for the better. It’s a meaningful way to honor Memorial Day through action, not just words.

You could also host a small fundraiser, set up a donation jar in your shop, or promote a local veterans’ charity on your social channels. These acts of generosity (especially when they’re tied to real causes) build connection, trust, and genuine community goodwill.

The bottom line

Memorial Day deserves more than a generic email or quick social post, and how you acknowledge it reflects your values as a business.

But meaningful gestures require time and headspace, two things that are hard to come by when you’re also juggling day-to-day administrative tasks like responding to customer inquiries, managing your team, tracking expenses, and doubling as a bookkeeper. While we can’t take meetings or HR off your calendar, we can take bookkeeping completely off your plate.

At CoCountant, we provide bookkeeping and accounting services to business owners like you, so you’re free to focus on the parts of your business that require your presence and leadership. 

From tracking sales and managing cash flow to handling payroll and making sure taxes don’t catch you off guard, we take care of all the bookkeeping and accounting details so you never have to double as a bookkeeper. 

Here’s how we can help your business:

• Daily bookkeeping: Accurate and up-to-date recording of all transactions, giving you a clear picture of your financial health at all times.
• Reconciliation: Matches your records with bank statements to eliminate discrepancies and ensure accuracy.
• Tax-ready financials: Keeps your books organized and compliant so you’re fully prepared when tax season arrives.
• Payroll & 1099 support: Ensures your employees and contractors are paid correctly and on time.
• Direct bookkeeper access: Communicate directly with your dedicated bookkeeper for continuous and efficient communication.

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