Veterans Day is always celebrated on November 11th of any given year. This year, however, November has taken on a special meaning. On October 31, 2022, President Biden declared November 2022 as Military Families and National Veterans Month.
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Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day in November?
Veterans Day is a celebration that pays tribute to both living and deceased veterans. A veteran is anyone that served in any branch of the armed services. Veterans Day has long been a tradition in the United States and in other countries. The history of Veterans Day goes back to World War I. Major operations against Germany ended on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, the 11th month of 1918. The following year, “Armistice Day,” become a celebrated holiday in the United States.
Congress passed a resolution that officially made November 11th, a national observance in 1926. In 1938, Veterans Day became an official federal holiday. In 1954, the name changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. President Dwight D. Eisenhower wanted to change the name to pay tribute to the many veterans of World War II and the Korean War. President Eisenhower really wanted the name change to honor all service members
Other Celebrations
The United States is not the only country that celebrates Veterans Day. Countries such as Great Britain, Canada, and Australia also celebrate Veterans Day in November. The Commonwealth also celebrates, Remembrance Day, another Veterans Day celebration. These states include Great Britain, Australia, and others that also remember the sacrifices of veterans on November 11th. It is not uncommon for other countries in Europe to observe a minute of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11th. The Commonwealth States are not the only ones to use the poppy as a symbol of remembrance American Legion, a non-profit for wartime veterans also uses it to symbolize the sacrifice of American veterans.
The Meaning Behind the Poppy
The poppy gained popularity in Europe after World War I. The flowers grew abundantly in France and Belgium. Research attributes their rapid growth to the lime deposited there following the war. The poem “In Flanders Fields” memorialized the poppy flower as the symbol of remembrance. The poem was written in 1915 by Lieutenant Colonel John McRae, who was fighting on the front lines:
In Flanders Fields
“In Flanders Fields, the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”
The poem was written a day after one of McRae’s friends was killed in battle and buried in a shallow grave. To this day, the poem is read at Veterans Day memorials and ceremonies across the world. Its significance holds a deep meaning to those veterans that served.
The Importance of Veterans Day Today
Since the attack on our country on September 11th, 2001, thousands of men and women have answered the call to serve the nation. Since the War on Terror began in 2001 and ended in 2021, approximately 7, 075 service members from across the service have paid the ultimate price for protecting our freedom. This November marks the anniversary since the last troops left Afghanistan last year. Although the War on Terror has not been the only major conflict, in recent decades it is significant to note since its the most recent.
MilitaryFares and Its Connection to Service
MilitaryFares is a small company that founded in 1997. The purpose of MilitaryFares is to help service members find discounted travel deals. From hotels to cruises to flights, MilitaryFares has a wide range of travel deals for the everyday needs of any military family. Its locations in the United States and Europe make it easier for the company to find more exclusive deals to support military members and their families.
A TV Coincidence
You may be wondering, what is the connection that MilitaryFares has to service? Let’s go back to post-World War II Europe, in which American soldiers were stationed all over parts of Germany. Specifically, the town of Augsburg in Bavaria had a heavy military presence. This is where Rudi Seiberlich was born. Growing up in the 60s, he always had an admiration for the many American service members he watched help in his town. Among Rudi’s many interests as he was growing up, was that of space. He was very interested in the Apollo missions and the impact they made on the world. One day, as Rudi was watching the latest reports on the Apollo missions, his name flash across the TV. Well, part of his name.
As Rudi was watching TV, he saw Admiral Carl Joseph Seiberlich, the commander of the USS Hornet on TV. The USS Hornet was responsible for the recovery of the crew of Apollo 11 and Apollo 12. Admiral Seiberlich was the commanding officer that directed all operations related to the Apollo recovery. At the discovery that he could potentially be related to a man that had direct interaction with one of his passions, Rudi decided to craft a note to Admiral Seiberlich. As a young teenage boy, Rudi took the note to the entrance of the military base and asked the military policeman to kindly ensure his note was delivered to Admiral Seiberlich.
A Travel Idea
Rudi waited for many months to get a response and much to his surprise, he received one! Afterward, Admiral Seiberlich not only wrote him back but also gave him an autographed picture of himself with President Nixon. He also confirmed that they were distant relatives. This launched the beginning of a friendship between Rudi and Admiral Seiberlich.
They kept in touch throughout the years giving each other updates on what they were pursuing. In the late 90s, Rudi shared that he started a travel company in Europe. Admiral Seiberlich immediately thought that Rudi should offer the same service to military members. And thus, MilitaryFares was born!
We strive daily to provide the best services and cheapest travel tickets for all service members and their families. We understand that serving is a selfless sacrifice and we also understand the intricacies of military life. Our discounted military tickets and fares.
The Difference Between Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Armed Forces Day
You may be wondering what the difference is between all of these holidays and how Veterans Day is different from the others. We are happy to explain the military cultural differences. As we previously covered, Veterans Day was a holiday that was started to commemorate the end of World War I. One fun fact to remember is that Veterans Day went through several date changes before President Gerald Ford returned it to its original day of November 11th.
The key difference between Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Armed Forces Day, is that each holiday centers its attention on a specific group of veterans. For instance, Veterans Day celebrates those who have served. What does that mean? It means that the day is specifically centered around those that previously had military service. However, this does not mean that you cannot thank current service members for their service. However, you should focus your attention on those that have served in the past.
Memorial Day
On the other hand, Memorial Day is a holiday that you should tread carefully with. The last Monday in May is when Memorial Day is celebrated. It pays tribute to service members that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation. Memorial Day honors fallen service members. During this holiday, it is not appropriate to thank military service members for their service as this holiday honors the fallen.
Memorial Day traces its history back to the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War. Many would pay tribute to the thousands of Americans that died by bringing flowers to memorials and gravesites. Memorial Day can elicit a lot of emotions from service members that have lost friends or even from family members that have lost loved ones. Approach this holiday with care and remember that this is about honoring those that died in service to the nation.
Armed Forces Day
If you are wondering when it is appropriate to celebrate those who are currently serving, we have an answer for you! Armed Forces Day is also a holiday that occurs in May. It is celebrated on the third Saturday in May. The next Armed Forces Day is May 20,2023.
It was originally created in 1949 to help bring awareness to the American public of what the profession of arms was all about. Although the holiday was created in 1949, it was official established on February 27, 1950, by President Truman. Armed Forces Day is the appropriate time to thank currently serving service members for their service.
In conclusion, we hope that this brief guide on how to differentiate between Memorial Day, and Veterans Day, I have found Armed Forces Day to be helpful.
How Does the Military Celebrate Veterans Day?
There are many military traditions in the culture of the Armed Forces. Each service has its own unique traditions yet similar customs to celebrate those that have served. Whether its Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marines, they each take the time to honor the service of
Army
As the biggest service component, the US Army has many celebrations to honor those that have served. In many cities where there are Army posts, there are parades and special programs dedicated to honoring Army veterans. Furthermore, many Army posts take the time to add a yellow ribbon to the tombs of those that have passed during this holiday.
Air Force
The Air Force is similar to the Army in their traditions to celebrate the service of veterans. What makes the Air Force special is its use of special flyovers to commemorate the holiday. Many Air Force bases have special celebrations, parades, and balls.
Navy
The Department of the Navy often does Navy weeks in different cities. For Veterans Day they have celebrations all over the world at their different naval bases. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro spent this time this year in NYC.
“It’s great to be back in New York City to celebrate these two momentous occasions,” Del Toro said. “I can still remember watching the Veterans Day parade during my years growing up here. These events represent the appreciation everyday citizens of our Nation have for the nearly 20 million veterans that have served in the United States Armed Forces.”
United States Marine Corps
The Marines are probably the service with the most traditions around this holiday. The Marine Corps’ birthday is the day before Veterans Day and that usually means that the celebrations start early for Marines. Typically celebrated with a ball and cake-cutting ceremony, Marines traditionally are given a 96-hour liberty to mark both holidays together – and recover from their service birthday festivities. Indeed, the birthday, also known as Marine Corps Day, was originally celebrated on July 11 from 1799 until 1921 when Major General Lejeune issued an order to formalize the tradition and establish the official day to honor the birthday of the Marine Corps. The ceremony traditionally includes a guest of honor, a reading of Gen. Lejeune’s birthday message and the current Commandant’s message, recognition of the oldest and youngest Marine present, and a cake cutting.
Veterans Day Facts
19.5 million – the approximate number of veterans in the United States.
9 million – the number of veterans over the age of 65.
5.06 million – the number of veterans receiving disability compensation.
2 million – the number of female veterans of those receiving disability compensation.
500k – the number of World War II veterans still living in the United States.
1.56 million – the number of veterans in California, the highest number in the country.
1.46 million – the number of veterans in Texas, the second-highest number in the country.
11% – the percentage of veterans who experience homelessness.
50% – the percentage of veterans experiencing homelessness who also live with a mental illness like PTSD.
In Conclusion…
We are happy to support veterans with discounted tickets, special travel deals, and other discounted prices. Follow our website https://www.militaryfares.com
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