Memorial Day events are often marked with solemn crowds dressed in red, white and blue, watching ceremonies commemorating veterans.

This year, crowds are prohibited and many commemoration ceremonies are canceled.

Some Pennsylvanians will celebrate Memorial Day the way they've spent most of the pandemic: by staying close to home and family.

The challenge will be mixing memories with new experiences.

“Usually, we go to some type of park,” said Diane Garbin, who lives in Cranberry Township with her husband and two sons. “Actually, we're going to go downtown this year.”

Garbin said her family of four has been riding out the pandemic together.

Garbin's sons, who are 19 and 16 years old, are both home from school. She and her husband have also been working remotely.

“We've been spending a lot of time together,” Garbin said.

This Memorial Day, her family is looking into a downtown bike ride.

“We like to be active,” Garbin said.

Suzy Duer, a Zelienople mother of six, said her family also plans to spend Memorial Day outside.

Although the Duers usually celebrate Memorial Day with a visit to the pool, they're making new memories this year.

“I'm taking the kids to Lake Edinboro,” Duer said. “(We're) just looking to do something different.”

Duer said she's enjoyed having her children, who are in different levels of education, home from school. The last few months have been about family time.

John Cyprian, director of veteran services in Butler County, reminds citizens that Memorial Day is about more than family: It's also about Constitutional rights.

“Memorial Day is the day that we get together to remind ourselves of the Constitution,” Cyprian said, which he refers to as a “living document.”

Since the pandemic closed schools, businesses and religious institutions in March, many Pennsylvanians have questioned their ability to claim those rights.

While celebrations might be different this year, Cyprian said Memorial Day is a good time to reflect on what the American way of living costs.

“There was blood spilled for you,” Cyprian said. “If you start forgetting that, what's that say for us as a country?”

Lori Maloney of Cranberry Township said she usually sees her brother and father during a family picnic on Memorial Day.

But this year, her brother doesn't plan to drive down from New York. Maloney's father died a few months ago. She expects this Memorial Day will be spent closer to home.

“My husband will be golfing,” Maloney said. “I'm hoping we will go to a park on Sunday.”

Cyprian said Butler County's 15,000 veterans are “humanitarians” who continue giving of themselves, despite pandemic-induced regulations.

“They will adapt,” Cyprian said. “But don't push them too far.”

The American people are the same way, according to Cyprian.

“They'll comply with crises to a certain point,” Cyprian said. “There's a lot of governmental overreach.”

Cyprian said without making Memorial Day political, it's important to recognize that politicians work for citizens and not the other way around.

“I think it's a time to reflect,” Cyprian said.

Garbin said one of the best things she's seen come out of the pandemic is creativity. People have found ways to work within or around regulations to still live life the best way they can.

“You don't have as many options,” Garbin said, “so you just make do.”

For some citizens, that means adapting holiday plans.

“Our tradition is just to get together with our in-laws,” said Joanne Fyda, a Zelienople resident.

Fyda's family may spend the day at a lakeside cabin or celebrate with a cookout. Either way, Fyda said they're trying to stay in touch with family.

Cyprian said he plans to attend a Memorial Day service organized by the county Veterans Services office Monday in the city.

He said the event traditionally includes a review of Gen. John A. Logan's plans for establishing a national Memorial Day and a look at the Gettysburg Address, among other things.

“That service is the essence (of Memorial Day),” Cyprian said.

For Garbin, this Memorial Day isn't so different from other years.

“If this was a normal Memorial (Day), it would mean that we all came together,” Garbin said.

The pandemic has been stressful for many. Between financial pressures and health concerns, the past few months have tested the bonds of friends and families. But when it comes down to finding the strengths of those bonds, there's still much to celebrate.

“As much as we get on each other's nerves, we're still family,” Garbin said.

“Enjoy your family,” Cyprian said. “But take a moment of silence. This day is about people who died for us.”