Memorial Day in our town is like many others across America. It begins with a parade up Main Street, led by several elderly veterans, the Scouts and school bands playing everything patriotic. A minister dedicates the day, we all join in for "The Pledge of Allegiance" and and a fifth grader recites "The Gettysburg Address." The event culminates with a bugle solo, "Taps," which always commands silence and tears, followed by several rounds of gunshots into the air.

I'm not a supporter of war, but I do support our troops. I'm the daughter of a WWII B-24 ball turret gunner, who gave me a true sense of American pride. That same pride fills me anytime "The Star Spangled Banner" opens a ballgame or "Taps" closes a commemoration. And, whether or not I ever support a war, I am always grateful to those who put their lives on their line to protect our freedom.

That same gratitude is shared by many corporations and small companies via special discounts to military personnel and their families. For example, SeaWorld has been offering soldiers' families free admission to the theme park since 2005, the year they debuted the "Here's to the Heroes" grand finale with Shamu and friends.

Closer to the self-storage homefront, in honor of Memorial Day, USStoragesearch.com rounded up more than 3,000 member facilities to provide a free month of storage as well as discounts on packing supplies. 

Offering military discounts is not exactly a novel idea, but one that should be commonplace for the self-storage industry, says ISS contributor Mel Holsinger in his Manager's Memo column. It makes good sense and its good for business to reach out to military men and women who'll be needing to store their belongings while fighting a war on foreign soil.

So please, consider how you can say a special thank you to the sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and all who defend are United States. Discounts are a good start. Have any creative ideas? Click on the link below and share your comments with others.