Observed on the last Monday of May—this year, May 26, 2025—Memorial Day is a time of reverence—a national pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. It’s not just a day off; it’s a moment to reflect on their sacrifice and the freedoms we enjoy because of it.
As we remember those who are no longer with us, we’re also reminded of our responsibility to care for the living—especially veterans who return home with lasting health challenges. This day calls us to action: to honor through remembrance, and to serve through compassion.
The Ongoing Health Journey of Our Veterans
Military service leaves a permanent mark—sometimes in medals, but more often in challenges carried silently. Veterans often return home to face a new kind of battle: managing long-term physical and mental health conditions. Many live with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain, or injuries that require daily care. Others face increased risks for diabetes, heart disease, or depression due to the intense demands of military life.
Unfortunately, returning to civilian life doesn’t always come with the support veterans need. Many encounter obstacles accessing care, including long wait times at VA (Veterans Affairs) facilities, bureaucratic red tape, and the high costs of prescriptions. These difficulties can discourage regular treatment and lead to worsening conditions over time.
Even with dedicated programs in place, the gaps in veteran healthcare are real. For aging veterans or those on fixed incomes, the cost of essential medications like insulin can become an overwhelming burden. These challenges don’t just affect quality of life—they affect dignity. Memorial Day gives us an opportunity to reflect on whether we, as a society, are truly honoring our promises to those who have served.
Why Healthcare Access Matters—Especially on Memorial Day
On Memorial Day 2025, we remember sacrifice. But remembrance alone isn’t enough—it must be matched with action. Ensuring that veterans and all Americans have access to affordable, consistent, and compassionate healthcare is one of the most impactful ways we can carry forward the legacy of those who gave everything.
This is especially true for individuals living with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or mental illness. The cost of managing these conditions in the U.S. can be staggering. For many, even with insurance, prescription copays and out-of-pocket costs for necessary treatments can lead to delayed care or skipped medications.
While this holiday is rooted in military remembrance, it also serves as a broader reminder: no one—whether a veteran or civilian—should have to struggle for basic medical care. Supporting health equity ensures that the values our fallen heroes fought for—freedom, fairness, and opportunity—live on in how we treat one another every day.
Memorial Day and the Unofficial Start of Summer
For many Americans, Memorial Day weekend also signals the unofficial beginning of summer. It’s when the weather turns warm, pools open, and families gather for barbecues or beach trips. While those traditions are part of American culture, they exist alongside the day’s more serious meaning.
This contrast—the quiet solemnity of remembrance and the liveliness of summer’s beginning—can be a powerful reminder in itself. Even our freedom to relax and enjoy time with loved ones is made possible by those who sacrificed their lives in service. It’s okay to embrace the season, but let’s also use this time to reflect, to give thanks, and to recommit to supporting those who still carry the burdens of war and service.
Making health a priority—whether for ourselves or our communities—is one meaningful way to bridge these worlds: honoring the day while protecting what it stands for.
What You Can Do to Help
Honoring our heroes doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes, small acts of awareness and compassion can have the biggest impact. Here’s how you can make a difference this Memorial Day—and beyond:
Support veteran-focused health nonprofits
From mental health services to housing support, countless nonprofits are working on the front lines to meet veterans’ needs. Donating, volunteering, or even amplifying their work on social media can make a tangible difference.
Advocate for accessible healthcare
Whether it’s writing to local representatives, supporting state ballot measures, or voting with healthcare in mind, civic engagement plays a crucial role in expanding access for all.
Start conversations about equity
Talk with friends and family about the challenges many face in affording necessary treatment. Awareness drives empathy, and empathy drives change.
Help someone access affordable medication
When possible, share information about safe alternatives—such as CanadianInsulin—for those struggling to afford prescriptions. Even small efforts to help someone stay on their medication can mean the world.
A Legacy of Sacrifice, A Call to Care
Memorial Day calls us to remember those we’ve lost. But it also calls us to do more—to care, to advocate, and to lift up those who continue to carry the legacy of service. Healthcare access isn’t just about medicine—it’s about justice, compassion, and dignity. It’s about creating a society where no one has to suffer in silence or sacrifice their health because of cost.
As we step into the warmth of summer, let us not forget the true weight of this day. Let it inspire us to build a world worthy of the freedoms we enjoy—and to care for those who helped make it possible.
Because the best way to honor the fallen is to support the living.
