I will enjoy the three day weekend, do some grilling and all the fun stuff. But, hearing 'Happy' Memorial Day always rubbed me wrong.
Not sure if there is a correct expression other than 'Thank You'.
I did not serve, but Dad did. 9 years Army/NSA. Got in just after WWII, so no active combat at that time that I know of. He never talked much about it. I'm not aware of any wartime losses in my family except for possibly my first US ancestor Johan Conrad Bloss who was believed to have died in the Revolutionary War.