The next Federal Holiday is Columbus Day. What does this day mean to you?

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:08:56 -0400

Columbus Day is interesting for many reasons. First it is one of the two days named for somebody. Used to be more but then President's Day bumped out the days to honor President Lincoln and Washington.
Since my birthday usually falls within a few days of Columbus Day, I sometimes was able to get three-day weekends as a birthday celebration.
I hope that each of my friends and RallyPoint contacts will be able to enjoy the coming Columbus Day weekend.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 8 at 2015 4:12 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:12:03 -0400

I spent many Columbus Days in the Military. On some days I was on duty and in my early days I spent some Columbus Days on some form of restriction for misbehavior. Thankfully I grew up.
Since my wife and I share the same birthday which falls near Columbus Day we have been able to celebrate 3-day weekends around our birthday.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 4:28 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:28:31 -0400

I've worked so many holidays that it is just another day to me.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Sep 8 at 2015 4:36 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 16:36:59 -0400

Alas, no Columbus Day off for me so it's pretty meaningless.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Sep 8 at 2015 5:06 PM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 17:06:15 -0400

Ah, well, I'm surprised it wasn't rolled into 'President's Day' along with Lincoln's and Washington's birthdays. Because, ya know, what importance do the founding fathers have?!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 8:16 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 20:16:47 -0400

People who complain about Columbus Day obviously hate having time off from work.

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 8 at 2015 9:03 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 21:03:08 -0400

Old Chris did a lot for us. I might still be digging potatoes under the watchful eye of a British overlord if it were not for him.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 9:06 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 21:06:33 -0400

I don't work, but when I did, I liked all the federal holidays whenever I was scheduled off. Columbus Day was just another day worked or off. Never did anything special. LTC Stephen F. .

Response by SFC Joseph Weber made Sep 8 at 2015 9:38 PM

SFC Joseph Weber — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 21:38:33 -0400

Maybe we should make Columbus day Columbus/McKinley day. That would make Ohio happy about losing their mountain.

Response by SGT Forrest Stewart made Sep 8 at 2015 10:14 PM

SGT Forrest Stewart — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 22:14:12 -0400

Columbus day, of course, is in remembrance of Columbus "discovering" America, which is debatable depending on who you talk to.
The last couple places I've worked don't recognize Columbus day nor Veterans day as reason to close down. Presidents day, incidentally, is another. I do believe, however, that the United States as a whole should take pause and reflect on what these days really mean, rather than just another day off from work.
The people these holidays are intended to honor gave their heart and soul to make a difference in this world for the good of all people, not just a few here and there.
Hats off to all who give of themselves to make our Country a better place.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2015 11:41 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Sep 2015 23:41:54 -0400

There is so much about this story on his third trip that is rarely mentioned. He found this island, Cubagua, that was rich in pearls, and hid the discovery as he wanted it for himself. The king and Queen found out, and that is when his story take the turn for the worst. He died poor and alone. This Island is right next to the Island I was born, and the reason they call Venezuela such, was meant to mean "little Venice" for the houses built in one of our lakes, over columns made of tree trunks, over the water.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Sep 9 at 2015 8:55 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 08:55:09 -0400

LTC Stephen F. I can't even remember the last time I got time off for Columbus Day. It was a holiday that we all use to look forward to in grade school (a long time ago), because there would be a lot of discussion in our history class around Columbus and how he did or didn't discover American, but we knew we got a day off school. You ask kids about it today and I don't think they really care or maybe its mean and I've lost touch because my daughters are now 24, 22, and 17

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Sep 9 at 2015 11:41 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 11:41:30 -0400

A day off is a day off. On deployment we worked during all holidays.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 9 at 2015 4:09 PM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 16:09:43 -0400

Columbus was a piss poor navigator who thought he was in a different part of the world for six months. He was the original navigation course fuck up. If I wanted to celebrate Columbus Day, I would go get myself lost. Nevermind that he wasn't even the first European to sail to North America. Had the Vikings not had issues with the Skraelings (term used to describe indigenous North Americans), we wouldn't care about Columbus. Some of us don't care about Columbus. I am one who works on that day, and don't mind because I have zero regard for that dumbass.