Both holidays (Veterans Day and Memorial Day) were established to recognize and honor the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces.
Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May, was originally set aside as a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
Veterans Day is intended to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military—living and dead—whether in wartime or peace. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank living Veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served—not only those who died—have sacrificed and done their duty.
To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000 the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.
The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a two minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation.
On Oct. 7, 2016, President Obama signed the Veterans Day Moment of Silence Act. The law requires that the President issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe a two-minute national moment of silence on Veterans Day at 3:11 p.m. Atlantic standard time, 2:11 p.m. Eastern standard time, 1:11 p.m. Central standard time, 12:11 p.m. Mountain standard time, 11:11 a.m. Pacific standard time, 10:11 a.m. Alaska standard time, and 9:11 a.m. Hawaii-Aleutian standard time.
This article is featured in VA’s 2023 Veterans Day Teacher Guide. Learn more about Veterans Day at Veterans Day – U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (va.gov).
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VA remains open for business and is closely monitoring the Change Healthcare (CHC) cybersecurity incident.
VA’s Veteran Buddy Check Week is planned for Oct. 21 – 25, 2024.
Carry The Load, an organization dedicated to remembering the fallen, will visit 34 VA National Cemeteries traveling 20,000 miles along five separate routes covering all continental 48 states known as the National Relay for Memorial May 2024.
Great commentary. I saw a bumper sticker that read “Those of you who burn the flag or kneel before it, have never received one folded.”
There is no one who prays for peace more fervently than a member of our armed services, whether active duty, guard, reserve or even retired.
Let’s not forget it was originally Armistice Day ,,, remembering the day to mark the “War to end all wars”. Yet America backed away allowing France and England to redraw the post war map without rhyme or reason, insuring endless regional and world conflicts.
The American Republican Party killed the League of Nations. And, the resurgence of the German anti USA miliary was almost instantaneous. Without a Marshall plan Germany was ripe for Hitler’s taking. Let’s remember some of this in addition to honoring our vets. I am a disabled vet.
HOW DID THE COAST GUARD GET LISTED BELOW THE space force. The COAST GUARD IS THE LONGEST CONTINOUS
SERVICE.
Every calendar I look at shows Veterans Day as November 11, 2023.
I wear poppy every November. This year Veteran’s Day is 11/10, but if you prefer to honor veterans for the month, why not. In the United Kingdom, November is remembrance month. Honoring those who have served, those are still with us & those who are not.
Anyone who lives in or loves The United States of America should read these comments, history, and instructions of the Flag and its representation. Post this in every issues of the Days of Remembrance and other National Holidays. It’s a great reminder of what the Greatest Country ever, The United States of America, was, is and should continue to be.
Thankyou for explaining this about these two days – I had always sort of ‘wondered’ about the meanings.
Have a good time in your activities.
Did I miss something? The article does not mention the date of Veterans Day.
You didn’t mention that Veteran’s Day originally was called Armistice Day, when World War I ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918.
Since then, WW2 ended on two different days in 1945, Korea and Viet Nam didn’t officially end yet, and we pulled out of Afghanistan on a rather arbitrary date. SO I guess renaming it to Veteran’s Day is OK.
The article was very informative. thk you
Why not a whole month? We give others a full month, why not veterans who served the country?
Veterans Day
William L Shade, LTC, USA Retired
There is a conventional story we all learned in school which we celebrate the day World War I which ended at 11 AM on the 11th day of the 11th Month of 1918. One hundred plus years ago. Unfortunately, the soldiers on both sides did not relief as over 1100 Soldiers and Marines died that day with Henry Gunther a man of German desent, from a heavily German neighborhood in East Baltimore given the somewhat dubious recognition of being the last American killed at 10:59 AM. While I earlier indicated that the war was over, it was only over on the Western Front which was fought between Germany and the combined forces of Britain, France, the United States. Everywhere else, the fighting continued. On a lighter note, WWI was when the introduction of Daylight Savings Time originated, Wristwatches were adopted over pocket watches, Blood banks created, Trench coats created, to name a few of many.
Originally the day was celebrated as Armistice Day. On the first observation of this day, President Woodward Wilson addressed the nation. Reflecting on the final paragraph which reads:
“To us in America the reflections of Armistice Day will be solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service, and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of nations.”
On June 4, 1926, the congress requested the president issue annual proclamations calling for the observance of November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. A congressional act in 1938 made November 11 a legal holiday.
In 1945 a WW II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama had the idea to expand to celebrate all veterans not just those who died in WW I. Weeks was honored with the Presidential Citizenship Medal in 1982 as the driving force and is generally recognized as the “Father of Veterans Day.” I challenge all of you consider the slight of hand made here. We went from honoring the dead to all veterans who served. Fear not we moved honoring the dead to Memorial Day which had previously been Decoration Day whose birth was because of the Civil War. I wonder if any who served were part of the decision process?
As a member of several service organizations, I get several messages, letters and brochures telling me that I can get a meal here or there, a discount here or there or other equal benefits. On one hand I find this nice but on the other I wonder. Armistice Day was sacred because it was intended to evoke memories of fear, pain, and the suffering especially of those left behind. In short, it was hallowed because it was supposed to protect us from future wars.
As a young man, I remember that one aspect of the day was the wearing of a Red Poppy. For those of you unfamiliar with the Red Poppy it was observed and worn by our countrymen for many years to recognize those who have fallen. Always leading up to and on Armistice Day. It started because a Canadian Lieutenant Colonel, John McCrae noted that Poppies grew across the graves of the fallen. He pinned a poem to foster the wear of the poppy to honor the dead.
Thank you for a powerful lesson and reminder. Well said.
Your added commentary was very enlightening –thank you, sir!
Thanks for this comment.
Thank you for this. It’s important that history not be lost and that it be accurate.
Thank you for your service and to all that have served or fallen in service.