WWTBAM Bored

This is a sincere philosophical question I've had for a long time. We have two holidays to celebrate and remember those who served in our Armed Forces: Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is the older holiday, having first been celebrated during or shortly after the Civil War. For a long time, it was called Decoration Day and only generally became known as Memorial Day after World War II. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day after World War I and was renamed Veterans Day after World War II (for obvious reasons). Veterans Day honors and remembers all U.S. veterans, while Memorial Day pays tribute who died in various wars.

It seems to me that both days should be held in equal regard by the public, and, if anything, we should be more inclined to honor all veterans, including those who are still here to accept the recognition, but Memorial Day is celebrated as a holiday by almost everyone while Veterans Day is mostly limited to government and bank employees (like me). The obvious answer is that Memorial Day serves more as a "start of summer" holiday for most people, like Labor Day is the end of summer, while Veterans Day is only a week or two before Thanksgiving and people and businesses don't feel the need for a holiday as much. I would hope that we would be above deciding how much tribute our veterans are worth based upon how closely a particular day fits in with people's vacation plans.

But the cynic in me says no.

Anyway, to all who have served in the Armed Forces and their families, our warmest appreciation on this day, regardless of who views it as a holiday or not.

I think I missed something. What's the question? --Bob

This is the first time since 2011 that I've had Veteran's Day off. Just one more day I don't get paid. We have two days at Thanksgiving, three at Christmas, and New Years coming up. I'd rather work.

Bob78164 wrote:I think I missed something. What's the question? --Bob

The question is why is Memorial Day more widely recognized than Veterans Day.

silverscreenselect wrote:

Bob78164 wrote:I think I missed something. What's the question? --Bob

The question is why is Memorial Day more widely recognized than Veterans Day.

I'd argue that on recognition of the actual reason behind the occasion, they're more on a par with each other than it seems. Memorial Day is only a more "name brand" holiday because it's a more universal day off. The majority of references to Memorial Day are strictly to its status as a day off and have nothing to do with veterans or remembering/honoring them...

Next May, pay attention to how many times the holiday is mentioned that actually concern its veterans memorial meaning. What's seems like is "missing" from Veterans Day are those strictly-holiday references since most people still work...

lb13

For what it's worth, the sports world sells Veterans Day (weekend) hard, and doesn't do that much with Memorial Day (except for NASCAR).

Ritterskoop wrote:For what it's worth, the sports world sells Veterans Day (weekend) hard, and doesn't do that much with Memorial Day (except for NASCAR).

There are six NBA games scheduled today. Last Monday, there were also six games scheduled. Next Monday, there are nine games scheduled. None of today's games are nationally televised. None start before 7:00.

On MLK Day, there are 14 NBA games scheduled, three on TNT. Nine of these start at 5:00 or earlier. Presidents Day falls during the All-Star break this year, so there aren't any games scheduled.

Memorial Day honors those who gave the ultimate sacrifice while Veteran's Day gives a more formal reason to say 'Thank you for your service'. We should need that but so it goes. You already knew these anyway. But I do feel they are distinct holidays.

What bothers me, okay, more than one thing....

Hearing someone say 'Happy Memorial Day'. That is totally inappropriate.

In the past at work, we have had a small ceremony on 11/11 at 11 am at the flag pole. Today they said to have a Moment of Silence at 11 am. It was so busy here I don't think many others honored our Veteran's with any thoughts at all.

silverscreenselect wrote:This is a sincere philosophical question I've had for a long time. We have two holidays to celebrate and remember those who served in our Armed Forces: Veterans Day and Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is the older holiday, having first been celebrated during or shortly after the Civil War. For a long time, it was called Decoration Day and only generally became known as Memorial Day after World War II. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day after World War I and was renamed Veterans Day after World War II (for obvious reasons). Veterans Day honors and remembers all U.S. veterans, while Memorial Day pays tribute who died in various wars.

It seems to me that both days should be held in equal regard by the public, and, if anything, we should be more inclined to honor all veterans, including those who are still here to accept the recognition, but Memorial Day is celebrated as a holiday by almost everyone while Veterans Day is mostly limited to government and bank employees (like me). The obvious answer is that Memorial Day serves more as a "start of summer" holiday for most people, like Labor Day is the end of summer, while Veterans Day is only a week or two before Thanksgiving and people and businesses don't feel the need for a holiday as much. I would hope that we would be above deciding how much tribute our veterans are worth based upon how closely a particular day fits in with people's vacation plans.

But the cynic in me says no.

Anyway, to all who have served in the Armed Forces and their families, our warmest appreciation on this day, regardless of who views it as a holiday or not.

I think maybe it's because it's from WW1, so far away from now. I realize no one has minimized it particularily, but, could be.

What I meant was, when you are at the games, there is a lot of pomp, and flags, and honoring of veterans.

Ritterskoop wrote:What I meant was, when you are at the games, there is a lot of pomp, and flags, and honoring of veterans.

MLB does a lot of this as well, and I think most of it is self serving and phony. Honoring our veterans and using them to look good and/or make a quick buck can look awfully alike...

lb13

Historically What is now Memorial Day was not a mainstream holiday in the former confederacy. I remember my Dad telling a story about being hired to pick cucumbers because the black workers were Celebrating Decoration day. Cucumbers have spines that will tear up soft white boy hands. This was in Beaufort SC around 1940.

The movie Harriet has a scene of a raid led in part by Ms. Tubman near Beaufort.

PS I Believe The VFW was founded to accommodate Spanish American and WWI vets separate from Civil War vets