In the United States we have 3 National holidays that celebrate our military. Unfortunately it seems most people either don’t know anything about them or they get them all mixed up and push them together. Ok so here is a civics lesson
Memorial Day is the last Monday in May every year. This is the day we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their life for this nation in the face of an enemy. This is a day of mourning and remembrance. For far too many it’s the welcoming of summer, a long weekend and a chance to drink beer and bbq. But for many they do take a moment to remember and recognize the Fallen.
Armed Forces day is the 2nd Saturday of May. This is the day we THANK those currently serving. It’s a chance to shake the hand of a man or woman in uniform and thank them for the job they doing.
Veterans Day is Nov 11th every year. It’s a day to thank those who served and came home. It a day to embrace them and say we are glad you came home and job well done. As the mother of a fallen soldier I want this one day to be happy and celebrate my son’s brother who came home. To be happy that these men are here and to thank them and all those who have served and came home. This is not a sad day.. it’s a day of gratitude and celebration.
What people do not seem to understand is that, when they center us Gold Star Families out on Veterans day, they are taking a moment from those who served and came home and from us. A Moment that we want to celebrate others not mourn our own. Yes, we want our sons and daughters remembered but for this one day we want our Veterans celebrated and we want to sit quietly in the back ground and just take in the celebration of gratitude towards these men and women who wore the uniform, protected this nation and came home to carry on. Leave the mourning of our sons and daughters who are Fallen for Memorial day and the rest of the year.. but for today ..Veterans Day… honor them by focusing your full attention and gratitude to their brothers and sisters in arms who came home.
Thank you Veterans.. I am glad you are home..
I am aware of the difference in the days, but few people are. People have told me on Memorial Day how that day “is for me”. I tell them that it’s not. Veterans’ Day is for the guys that come home, Memorial Day is for the Guys that don’t. As a Veteran, Trust me, Every day is Memorial Day for us.
Knottie- I read Pat Dollard regularly. I’ve read your comments over there and just realized you have your own site. I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m a mother and can’t imagine what you have been through in the past three years. Please accept my condolences and my gratitude for your son’s service.
I never knew that Veteran’s Day was to celebrate the men and women that who made it home. I thought it was to honor all of our soldiers. Thank you for enlightening me.
God bless you and your family.
-Amy
As you know, most GS’s know these days but I had to verify one of them. Armed Forces Day, according to Wiki, is the 3rd Satuday in May, not the second. It is the Saturday that is near the end of Armed Forces Week. Thanks for your blog…..It is really informative.