While Veterans Day and Memorial Day are public holidays honoring patriotic veterans, the two could not be any different. These two days are celebrated differently, with the individuals honored also being different. This guide looks at the various comparisons between these two significant days and what they mean for American service personnel.
Defining Veterans Day and Memorials Day
Memorial Day is the day the nation celebrates service personnel who have passed away on active duty. This day honors the brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, and patriots who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while on duty. This is, therefore, a somber holiday marked in remembrance of the above-listed veterans.
Veterans Day celebrates living veterans who have enrolled in the military in service of the country. This day honors the patriots who pledge their loyalty to defend the country in the various dockets of their profession. Numerous organizations will often offer citizens various deals, such as the 2023 Veterans Day Deals on various purchases made on this day for celebrating personnel on active duty.
Origin of Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day
The first celebration of Veterans Day dates back to November 11, 1919. This day marked the end of World War 1. This day was formerly known as Armistice Day and marked the end of the conflict with Germany. The war ended on November 11 at the 11th hour.
Memorial Day was formerly known as decoration day up until 1971. This day commemorated the end of the civil war, which claimed the lives of thousands of soldiers. The country held the first celebration of this holiday a year after the end of the war to remember and honor the fallen veterans.
How Is Veterans Day Celebrated vs. Memorials Day?
Veterans Day is observed through parades held in various towns and church services. Families can also hold an intimate get-together to honor veterans who have served in the military. Some citizens and loved ones also fly the American flag outside their homes to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans. Volunteering at a local veteran facility will also go a long way in showing gratitude for the veterans.
Memorials day is often celebrated at the respective national cemetery of the fallen soldiers. Volunteers will often decorate the cemeteries of the country’s heroes with American flags, each placed by the grave of the respective veterans. Participants and family members can also place flowers on the graves of the fallen veterans, an element reminiscent of its earlier reference as Decoration Day.
Memorial services can also be held to honor the sacrifice of national heroes, with citizens encouraged to participate in charitable acts of service. One way of doing this could be donating to organizations intended to help families of veterans. Citizens can also observe the national moment of remembrance marked on Memorial Day at 3 pm, which entails a minute of silence. Lastly, towns can also hold annual parades through the town centers.
When Are The Holidays Celebrated?
Veterans Day falls on November 11, while Memorial Day is marked on the last Monday of May. The latter gives those celebrating a three-day weekend a significant time for the veteran’s loved ones.
Is the Armed Forces Day Similar To Veterans Day and Memorial Day?
While Veterans and Memorial Day celebrate living and fallen soldiers, these holidays will differ from Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day is another day that honors veterans who are still serving in the military. This day is marked on May 1.
Veterans Day and Memorial Day mark significant holidays for veterans in the United States, both vital for honoring the sacrifice of service personnel defending the country. That said, both holidays are different, with the days marked at different times of the year. In addition to this, Veterans Day and Memorial Day are also celebrated in different ways, with their origins marking diverse periods that helped shape the country’s history.
