Memorial Day vs Veterans Day - There's a Difference

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 27 May 2014 00:30:05 -0400

Pretty good graphical tool to educate the general population (and some servicemembers).

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made May 27 at 2014 3:00 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Tue, 27 May 2014 03:00:09 -0400

Thank you!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2014 6:28 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 May 2014 06:28:08 -0400

Love it, and will use it to educate friends back home when they ask.
Thanks for the share, MSG.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made May 27 at 2014 7:29 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 27 May 2014 07:29:20 -0400

Thank you, hopefully you posted on that 'other' site as well for public information!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made May 27 at 2014 7:33 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 27 May 2014 07:33:33 -0400

Slightly inaccurate when it comes to Veterans day. That's more of a description of Armed Forces Day. It goes more like :

Memorial Day: to honor all those who have fallen in defense of their country.

Veterans Day: to honor those who have served in war. ("With the approval of this legislation (Public Law 380) on June 1, 1954, November 11th became a day to honor American veterans of all wars".)

Armed Forces Day: to honor all those who have served in the military.

Response by MAJ Dallas D. made May 27 at 2014 9:33 AM

MAJ Dallas D. — Tue, 27 May 2014 09:33:16 -0400

I have to teach this to not only civilians but Veterans as well. When my neighbors told me this weekend Thank you for your service and because of you we are able to BBQ this weekend. I told them thank you but this weekend is not about me it is about our fallen heroes. That is why we have Veterans day and Memorial day. It was funny they all said you know we had never really thought about it but thank you!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 27 at 2014 1:42 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 May 2014 13:42:04 -0400

A great tool for educating those who do not know the difference. However I have seen social media "groups" pouncing on people for not knowing the difference. I don't think public shaming or embarrassment is required. The fact that people are taking the time to be grateful should be applauded, and we as Veterans/Service members should take the opportunity to educate those who do not or were never told the difference in these sacred days.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 21 at 2015 10:32 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Thu, 21 May 2015 22:32:46 -0400

Capt Private RallyPoint Member, maybe a repost of your Veterans Day thoughts on the difference?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 10:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 22:39:14 -0400

On Veteran's Day, I don't mind going out and finding some fellow comrades to shoot the bull with over a pint and a burger.

On Memorial Day, I try to make it to one of the four Soldiers' gravesites that were my men with a flask and a glass, lay a hand on the marker, commit a toast, and pour the rest out. It is not a Holiday for me. More of a duty.
All of them are far away (two in Vicksburg, one in Valley Forge, and one in Southern California, so I can't always go.

This year, it's Vicksburg.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 10:47 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 22:47:30 -0400

Very simple. Veterans Day honors all military members and veterans, whereas Memorial Day honors those who died while serving; although generally now Memorial Day honors all deceased veterans even those who passed away after their military service i(e the practice of placing flags on all veterans graves)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 7:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 07:39:03 -0400

What more needs to be said. Can't memorialize those still here. Yet sometimes we carry our lost ONLY inside and then there are days when we actually feel like we are ALLOWED to grieve again (if only for a while for them). It's not for us the living, it's for those who moved on and we relieved them properly of their watch.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 24 at 2015 6:53 PM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Sun, 24 May 2015 18:53:18 -0400

The difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day ...

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/10/living/veterans-day-memorial-day-difference/index.html

Memorial Day is different from Veterans Day - CNN.com

Don't embarrass yourself: Know the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 29 at 2015 11:49 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 11:49:28 -0400

We have Memorial Day (US Holiday, Last Monday of May) - Honors the Fallen

We have Veterans Day (US Holiday, November 11) - Honors all Veterans.

There is Remembrance Day, which is the Commonwealth (UK, Canada, NZ, Australia) equivalent of Memorial Day which happens on November 11.

There is also Armistice Day, on November 11, which ALSO honors the fallen of allied partners.

So... the US celebrates Veterans Day on the day where almost everyone else is celebrating their version of Memorial Day. It's easy to confuse.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Oct 29 at 2015 1:16 PM

MAJ Jim Steven — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:16:07 -0400

The new rage is to be offended by the phrase, happy memorial day.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Oct 29 at 2015 1:35 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Thu, 29 Oct 2015 13:35:09 -0400

At the end of the day, both are to honor those who served.

Response by SPC Charmaine Kelly made Oct 3 at 2019 1:05 AM

SPC Charmaine Kelly — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 01:05:47 -0400

Memorial day is to honor all those who are fallen vs Veterans day is to honor all those who fought in any war

Response by SPC Charmaine Kelly made Oct 3 at 2019 1:07 AM

SPC Charmaine Kelly — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 01:07:08 -0400

Memorial day flags and wreaths are placed beside their graves