What's the difference between Memorial Day and Veteran's Day?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:24:29 -0500

Both of these days are set aside to honor the military but for different reasons. Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember those who "gave all" for your country. A day that we recognize them by placing flags and wreaths at their headstones. While Veteran's Day is a day to honor everyone who served in the military, a day to honor those who served in every war (conflict) the U.S. has engaged in.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Nov 11 at 2015 5:31 PM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:31:44 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I think it's pretty clear-cut...just like you said. Memorial Day is for a select group of people for whom the government cashed that blank check we all write when we join up. Veteran's Day is to recognize that while we didn't give ALL...we do give some.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Nov 11 at 2015 5:39 PM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:39:53 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I look at Veterans day as it honors those who served and who are currently serving as well as remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

When memorial day is celebrated it is a time to devote to those who have fallen. I struggle when people say happy memorial day?

Response by SPC Mark Beard made Nov 11 at 2015 5:57 PM

SPC Mark Beard — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 17:57:33 -0500

CORRECT

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 11 at 2015 6:02 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:02:11 -0500

Keep in mind in Commonwealth Nations "Remembrance Day" is today which is the equivilient of Memorial Day. This lends to the confusion. There is ALSO "Armistice Day" in the other European Nations which further compounds it.

When the US codified BOTH Memorial & Veterans Days, we could have prevented this by swapping the dates.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 11 at 2015 6:29 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:29:44 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, you're absolutely correct, of course. However, I read this one time about Memorial Day and the reasoning about why the flag is lowered and then raised to the truck at noon. I don't know if it's the real reason and these are not my words, but I've always appreciated the sentiment behind it.
"On Memorial Day, the flag is hoisted briskly to the truck of the flagpole and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then again hoisted to the truck for the remainder of the day.
The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, the flag (and their memory) is again hoisted to the truck by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifices be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice."
At the end of the day, the flag is again raised to the truck from the half-staff position and lowered to the flag detail from the top.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Nov 11 at 2015 6:35 PM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 18:35:23 -0500

I was just having that discussion... Even though I won, I lost... It would seem, no matter the holiday, its reason or its meaning, the life of one doesn't trump the death of another.
Memorial Day = Celebrated the last Monday in May, Memorial Day is the holiday set aside to pay tribute to those who died serving in the military.
Veterans Day = This is designated as a day to honor all who have served in the military and originally began as Armistice Day to honor the end of World War I, which officially took place on November 11, 1918.
Even though I am correct, technically, I really should pick and choose my battles better...
And with that, I think I'm done with Veterans Day for today....
Thanksgiving? HERE I COME!!! :)

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 11 at 2015 8:02 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:02:34 -0500

Memorial Day is for dead veterans (current and past).

Veteran's Day is to recognize LIVING veterans...

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 11 at 2015 9:15 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 21:15:26 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Veterans Day was established on Nov 11, 1954 by President Eisenhower after over 12 million service men and women served in WWII. This was an change to the national holiday of Armistice Day which was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919.
Memorial Day was established to serve as memorial to the war deaths from the US Civil War primarily; but, has served as a day to honor all war dead focusing on those who died in service to this nation in uniform of one of the military services.
Memorial Day is focused on the dead while Veterans Day serves to honor the living and the dead.
Like many veterans I remember those who served with me who died in service to this nation throughout the year and don't need a particular day to remind me to honor them. That being said I appreciated that this nation has a Memorial Day, an Armed Forces Day to honor those currently serving, and a Veterans Day to honor those who have served.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 12 at 2015 1:28 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 12 Nov 2015 01:28:08 -0500

When people wish me a "happy" Memorial Day or thank me for my service I reply: "You're welcome, but please reserve your thanks for Veteran's Day. Memorial Day is to remember those men and women who paid the ultimate price and/or never made it home."

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Nov 13 at 2015 12:44 AM

Cpl James Waycasie — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 00:44:15 -0500

Yes there is a difference, but both days still brings to my mind those who served, those passed away, and those still serving. Kind of hard not to think of all of them just because you are thinking of those days being associated with the Military.

Response by SSG Keven Lahde made Nov 13 at 2015 12:54 AM

SSG Keven Lahde — Fri, 13 Nov 2015 00:54:29 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I think you said it best. No matter how big or small the war was, we are all Brother and Sister-in-arms and we need to be there for each other!!! Thank you again Ma' am for another great post!!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2016 5:17 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 17:17:11 -0500

Veteran's Day is for those who served both dead and alive. Memorial Day is for those who lost their lives in the line of duty serving our country.

Response by PO1 Nellie Pope made Oct 3 at 2019 6:39 AM

PO1 Nellie Pope — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 06:39:38 -0400

How do you.celebrate veterans who have died for other reasons than war.?