Veteran's Day/Memorial Day

demopolite · 11-10-2006

At lunch today, the topic of conversation came up: what is the real difference between Veteran's Day and Memorial Day.

Bamalaw (Navy brat) was of the opinion that Veteran's Day was specifically to honor veteran's of foreign wars, while Memorial Day was meant to generally honor all people who have ever served in our military.

Anyone have any thoughts on the difference between the two?

RonBurgundy · 11-10-2006

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday that is observed on the last Monday of May (most recently observed May 29, 2006). It was formerly known as Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates U.S. men and women who have died in military service to their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911.

Veterans Day is the American name for the international day called Armistice Day. It falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War One. It is both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states. The same day is observed elsewhere as Remembrance Day or Armistice Day. All major hostilities of World War 1 were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Armistice Day was first commemorated in the United States by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919, and many states made it a legal holiday. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 inviting all Americans to observe the day, and made it a legal holiday nationwide in 1938.

The day has since evolved as a time for honoring living veterans who have served in the military during wartime or peacetime, partially to complement Memorial Day, which primarily honors the dead. There has been some discussion of whether a person's veteran status depends upon his/her retirement or discharge from any of the armed forces. However, the term applies to any that have honorably served their country or that have served in a war zone as directed by their superior officers or as directed by lawful orders given by their country.

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Eagle101 · 11-10-2006

Memorial Day was originally created to honor the deceased veterans of the Civil War. It has envolved to honor and remember all deceased veterans. We honor the veterans killed in battle and those who died after serving. This is the time to visit the burial places of our departed veterans, place flags and special ceremonies.

Veterans Day was created to honor the veterans of the World War, or the Great War or what we now call World War One (Which ended on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month). It now honors all veterans, past and present. This is where we have special ceremonies like the ones we had yesterday at DHS and today at Marengo Nursing Home.

RhondaRoo · 11-10-2006

Thanks for the information.