TRIVIA: Differentiating between military and veteran holidays
TRIVIA: Differentiating between military and veteran holidays
By The Signal Audience Engagement Editor Arturo Guerra
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There is no shortage of federal or national holidays that apply to military members, veterans and/or their families. However, it can be confusing as to which holiday represents or honors what exactly.
People are often unsure about how to greet someone during these holidays. For example, one probably should not tell a veteran or active duty member “Happy Memorial Day” or mistake it with Veterans Day (and vice versa), instead ask about their branch of service or favorite memories about their buddies while serving.
Scroll down to learn more about major holidays observed that apply to military personnel, families and veterans.
By The Signal Audience Engagement Editor Arturo Guerra
-----
There is no shortage of federal or national holidays that apply to military members, veterans and/or their families. However, it can be confusing as to which holiday represents or honors what exactly.
People are often unsure about how to greet someone during these holidays. For example, one probably should not tell a veteran or active duty member “Happy Memorial Day” or mistake it with Veterans Day (and vice versa), instead ask about their branch of service or favorite memories about their buddies while serving.
Scroll down to learn more about major holidays observed that apply to military personnel, families and veterans.
Vietnam Veterans Day
This day commemorates the final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam in 1973 and was declared as such by a presidential order signed by President Richard Nixon in 1974. The Vietnam War lasted approximately 21 years from 1954-1975 and divided Americans. By the time troops were pulled out, over 58,000 Americans had lost their lives. Veterans returning home were met with hostility and not recognized for their sacrifice.
Silver Star Banner Day
This day begins National Military Appreciation Month, but is meant to honor the wounded, ill and dying military personnel by flying a Silver Star Banner. The Silver Star is the third-highest military decoration for valor in combat over a short term, but the day in general is meant to pay respect to service members who have been affected by combat.
Armed Forces Day
The first official Armed Forces Day took place on May 20, 1950, but was created in 1949 after the Department of Defense unified each military branch instead of celebrating different individual days. This day is meant to unite citizens and honor U.S. military heroes for patriotic service who are serving or have served. It also serves as a way to educate the public and expand knowledge of the military and the role they play in the community.
Memorial Day
This day, founded in 1868, was initially called “Decoration Day” because of the flowers and flag decorations placed on Civil War soldiers’ graves from both the North and South. It is meant to honor military members who died while serving and reflect on American patriots who made the ultimate sacrifice. Ways to honor the fallen include laying flowers and planting flags on graves at a local Veterans cemetery and observing a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time.
Korean War Veterans Day
This war between North and South Korea lasted from 1950 – 1953 and was a product of the Cold War after the Soviet Union and the U.S. divided Korea into two sovereign states in 1948. Often referred to as “the Forgotten War,” veterans of this war faced factors such as extreme cold injuries (i.e. frostbite), noise (i.e. mortar explosions and gunfire), exposure to radiation and asbestos to name a few. Occupational hazards resulted in veterans suffering long-term and severe health consequences years or even decades after initial exposure that were not recognized by the government until much later.
Purple Heart Day
Originally called the “Badge of Military Merit” in 1782 when it was created by George Washington and forgotten about until 1932 when it became known as the Purple Heart. The badge is awarded to those wounded or killed while serving, although certain injuries or wounds do not qualify for the award, such as frostbite, disease and food poisoning not directly caused by enemy agents.
Patriot Day
More commonly known to some as 9/11, this day honors those who were lost or injured during the terrorist attacks that occurred Sept. 11, 2001. A moment of silence is typically observed at 8:46 a.m. to mourn the almost 3,000 lives lost that day.
National Day of the Deployed
This day recognizes all the military personnel deployed around the globe, as well as their families, who are sacrificing or have sacrificed their lives to defend our country. Most military members remember the harsh conditions while on deployment and how lonely it gets being separated from family and friends back home. Organizations like Military One Source do what they can to put together care packages and make dealing with military deployments a little easier.
Veterans Day
Originally called “Armistice Day” after the declaration of an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany in World War I on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. This holiday was commemorated by President Woodrow Wilson the next year. After the Korean and Vietnam Wars, lobbying efforts effectively changed “Armistice” to “Veterans” to recognize veterans of all wars. Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and II on or near Nov. 11. It’s common to observe two minutes of silence at 11 a.m. on this day every year.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
This day is meant to honor and remember those lost during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that would lead to the formal entry of the U.S. into World War II. Although it is not a federal holiday, many people come to pay their respects at the USS Arizona Memorial, one of the battleships sunk during the attack. Flags are flown at half-mast each year.