There are many ways to honor Memorial Day, but gratitude seems to be at the heart of most commemorations.
And gratitude is part of the mission of Blue Star Museums, a nationwide summertime program that involves hundreds of cultural institutions and thousands of active duty military personnel and their families. The participating cultural institutions have committed to waiving admission for summer 2011, as many did last summer.
The program opens on Memorial Day, and extends through Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 5). Some 1300 spots across the country will join in.
Several Southern California museums will participate, including the Grammy Museum at LA Live, The Autry, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and the San Diego Hall of Champions.
Museums will ask for particular IDs from visitors who are active duty. Check the list before visiting and make sure you arrive with the proper identification. You'll also want to make sure the place you'd like to see is open on Memorial Day itself, if you choose to start your Blue Star summer on day one.
