Over one million Americans have lost their lives while serving their country. As Memorial Day approaches, it is important that we as a nation reflect on those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

Many people have never asked themselves, "What can I do to honor these individuals?" or even taken the time to think about the significance of this day, other than it being just another federal holiday.

John F. Kennedy said, "A Nation reveals itself not only by the citizens it produces, but also by the citizens it honors, the citizens it remembers." Americans around the world can take this message to heart by pausing for one minute at 3:00 p.m. (local time) on May 29 to reflect on these words.

There are several different ways government departments and agencies can get involved in the "National Moment of Remembrance." Listed below are some suggestions to help agencies get the word to their employees and beyond.

• Send out a signed memorandum by the head of the department or agency to all employees encouraging them to participate.
• Include remarks in speeches that are given by department and agency officials in events leading up to and on Memorial Day.
• Include an informational message on the bottom of pay stubs to remind people about the "National Moment of Remembrance."
• Display a "National Moment of Remembrance" poster in the lobby of the department or agency.
• Distribute leaflets to employees in the lobby of the department or agency on Friday, May 26th asking people to participate in the "National Moment of Remembrance" on May 29th.
• Link from your department and or agency web site to the "National Moment of Remembrance" web site at http://www.whitehouse.gov/remembrance/index.shtml.
• Observe the "National Moment of Remembrance" where appropriate by playing "Taps" at 3:00 p.m. local time at locations such as VA hospitals, national parks, federal prisons, United States embassies, military installations, and ships at sea and other locations under department and agency jurisdiction.
• Recognize their employees who have lost loved ones in service to our country by creating a "Roll Call of Remembrance" web page. Employees can provide their name, relationship to deceased, name of loved one, when they died, where they died and branch of service (other, i.e. foreign service).