Please don’t mistake Veterans Day for Memorial Day.

In the USA, we have different days than the UK, Canada, and Europe to commemorate veterans. November 11 is Armistice Day, but Americans only swooped in at the last minute of WWI, so we don’t really learn much about it. I took my family to visit the memorials in Flanders.

Veterans Day on 11 November honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The original concept for the celebration was for a day observed with parades and public meetings and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926.

With the approval of legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Later that same year, on October 8th, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first “Veterans Day Proclamation.”

Memorial Day is a federal holiday the last Monday in May, in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. We don’t ever say, “Happy Memorial Day.”

Armed Forces Day is an unofficial U.S. holiday earlier in May to honor those currently serving in the armed forces.

My grandfather served his whole life in the US Navy.

My dad served a tour in the Navy, then retired from US Army Reserves.

My husband is looking forward to retiring from the US Air Force. His grandfather and uncle also served in the Air Force.

We’re a military family.

We’ve been fortunate to live in many interesting places like Hawaii and Germany.

We’re resilient, even through the stress of moving around frequently and deployments. Being a military spouse has its challenges. Military kids are unique for sure.

Resources:

What does Veterans Day mean to you?

Linking up: Random Musings, Create with Joy, April Harris, Mostly Blogging, Little Cottage, Welcome Heart, Marilyn’s Treats, Kippi at Home, InstaEncouragements, Purposeful Faith, Suburbia, LouLou Girls, OMHG, Our Three Peas, Grandma’s Ideas, Anchored Abode, Soaring with Him, Fluster Buster, My Girlish Whims, Ducks in a Row, Ginger Snap Crafts, Katherine’s Corner, Penny’s Passion, Debbie Kitterman, CKK, Answer is Chocolate, Momfessionals, Simply Sweet Home, Fireman’s Wife, CWJ, Chic on a Shoestring, Everyday Farmhouse, Being a Wordsmith, Anita Ojeda,

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Memorial Day is more than a holiday about barbecues and picnics and pool openings.

I realize it’s the official start of summer.

Please don’t wish people, “Happy Memorial Day!”

Please don’t mistake Memorial Day for Veterans Day.

Veterans Day honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Day is an unofficial U.S. holiday earlier in May to honor those currently serving in the armed forces.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Many historians date the origins of Memorial Day back to the Civil War.

Volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died in military service.

Why Poppies?

In 1915, following the Second Battle of Ypres, Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian doctor, wrote the poem, “In Flanders Fields.” Its opening lines refer to the fields of poppies that grew among the soldiers’ graves in Flanders.

In 1918, inspired by the poem, YWCA worker Moina Michael attended a conference wearing a silk poppy pinned to her coat and distributed many poppies to others present. In 1920, the National American Legion adopted the poppy as their official symbol of remembrance.

Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance on April 25, in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders “who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations” and “the contribution and suffering of all those who have served.”