Today is Memorial Day, and it’s not all about having a vacation day to celebrate with picnics and bbq’s with family and friends. There is a history to both days--while they both involve our military, they give celebration, focus, and remembrance to different groups.
What’s the Difference?
I have to always look it up to remind myself exactly who is honored on this day, as I tend to get it confused with Veteran’s Day. Our military does so much for our country, and I just want to make sure I get it right!
Memorial Day
Memorial day is about honoring and remembering those soldiers who have lost their lives while serving in our military and protecting our freedom.
- Celebrated on the last Monday of May.
- In 1971, it was declared a national holiday.
- Originally known as Decoration Day, and was to honor Union soldiers during the Civil War.
- Commonly we celebrate this day by visiting cemeteries, hold parades and family gatherings.
Veteran’s Day
Veteran’s day honors our military veterans – living or dead-- who have served their country in the United States Armed Forces and were not discharged under dishonorable conditions.
- Celebrated annually on November 11th.
- Originally known as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I (November 11, 1918).
- A recent common practice (since the Vietnam War) is for living soldiers to pay their respects is to lay pennies on gravestones of soldiers as a sense of remembrance.
- Leaving a nickel meant they trained in boot camp together.
- Leaving a dime meant they served together.
- Leaving a quarter meant they were with the fallen soldier when he/she was killed.
Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day both have their place in our country’s history and its people. Hopefully these tips help you keep these two honorable holidays straight!