What Veterans Day 2015 Means

2015-10-19T11:48:31-04:00

With Veterans Day only a few weeks away, it's a good time for everyone to start thinking about what the holiday means. Everyone - from civilians to service members and military families to veterans - has a different perspective on what Veterans Day means and should mean.

So, the question now is...what does Veterans Day mean to YOU?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Oct 19 at 2015 11:50 AM

2015-10-19T11:50:43-04:00

Veterans day honors all veterans. It used to be Armistice Day which was in remembrance of those who served in WWI. Now it serves to honor all veterans of the US Armed Forces.
In November 1919, President Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"
The United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I when it passed a concurrent resolution on June 4, 1926, with these words:
Whereas the 11th of November 1918, marked the cessation of the most destructive, sanguinary, and far reaching war in human annals and the resumption by the people of the United States of peaceful relations with other nations, which we hope may never again be severed, and
Whereas it is fitting that the recurring anniversary of this date should be commemorated with thanksgiving and prayer and exercises designed to perpetuate peace through good will and mutual understanding between nations; and
Whereas the legislatures of twenty-seven of our States have already declared November 11 to be a legal holiday: Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), that the President of the United States is requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.
Source http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp

History of Veterans Day - Office of Public Affairs

The history of Veterans Day

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-10-19T11:51:47-04:00

It is when I celebrate those that served with me.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Oct 19 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-10-19T12:07:25-04:00

For most people, sadly, it means an excuse for another sale at the mall or big box.

Few non-military/veterans actually stop and consider what the price was of their unprecedented freedom...

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Oct 19 at 2015 12:11 PM

2015-10-19T12:11:19-04:00

A day of recognizing those that have served and those that paid the ultimate sacrifice of service for their country.

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Oct 19 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-10-19T12:21:21-04:00

It's a day to remember anyone who has at one point decided to write a blank check to protect and serve their country payable with the amount up to and including their life.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 19 at 2015 12:32 PM

2015-10-19T12:32:06-04:00

What bothers me is we read the names of those who fell in our wars, most of them were just kids who never got to go to college, raise a family, walk their daughters down the aisle and play with their grand kids ..It bothers me a lot especially when you knew some of the fallen ..

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Oct 19 at 2015 12:50 PM

2015-10-19T12:50:25-04:00

Veterans' Day is a chance to recover from whatever damage I caused (to myself and others) after the Marine Corps birthday. Seriously, I celebrate all of OUR past & present hard-chargers. It's a great day of reflection. Proud to (still be able to) stand with each of you.

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Oct 19 at 2015 1:15 PM

2015-10-19T13:15:37-04:00

No offense, but why start a thread, when i just posted the same thread up a few days ago?.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/rp-all-ranks-pretend-if-you-will-i-am-a-random-civilian-and-i-approach-you-asking-what-is-veteran-s-day-how-would-you-respond

Back to topic: Veterans Day ( much like Memorial Day) is about honoring those who have earned the title of Veteran. We honor our fallen U.S. Military service personnel sure, but in general all those who have served during wartime and were discharged honorably.

RP, all ranks: Pretend if you will I am a random Civilian, and I approach You, asking what is...

Hello RP: As you no Armistice, Rememberance, and Veterans Day are fall on November 11 of every year. Pretend if you will that I am a Civilian, and I approach you; asking what is Veteran's Day. Break this down for me what your answer would be.This thread is meant to serve as a guide, lots of people do not know what Veteran's Day is, and a lot of people ask Veteran's. Some people freeze up when asked questions (retaining to anything), help give...

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Oct 19 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-10-19T13:20:40-04:00

Veterans Day is everyday. The moment someone can walk outside and enjoy the fruits that America has, it was due to the hard work, blood, and tears of a veteran. Now people and stores see it as a way to get a day off work, and to make another reason to have a sale. Doesn't change how I see Veterans Day. We are the reason anything is allowed, and we are the defenders of everything that will be.

Response by SSG Ricardo Marcial made Oct 19 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-10-19T13:22:35-04:00

Veteran day for me is every day, as a veteran I always extend my hand and say thank you to a veteran, every branch, new or old veteran. It's great to hear their appreciation for the acknowledgement when that conversation begins from a simple thank you. So a yearly Veteran's Day, really for those that never served, for me it's every day.

It also means recovering from the Marine Corps Ball. One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila..........floor,

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 19 at 2015 2:11 PM

2015-10-19T14:11:36-04:00

General Dunford dedicated the Veterans Wall Of Honor at our high school & I plan to spend some quiet moments at this wall next month Some of the names were close friends so it is the least I can do is to stop by and remember them..

http://www.bchigh.edu/veteranswallofhonor

Boston College High School - Veterans Wall of Honor

Response by PO3 Michael James made Oct 19 at 2015 4:58 PM

2015-10-19T16:58:36-04:00

Veterans Day, To me it appears that ALL Government officials and offices are Closed; while our Veterans continue to work to try to make ends meet !!

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Oct 19 at 2015 7:29 PM

2015-10-19T19:29:33-04:00

One day with many meanings. My son was born on Veterans Day.
1SG Jennifer Myers from A Co WTB Alaska passed away on Veterans Day last year.
I reflect on both of them, and my brothers in arms both past and present.

Response by SGT James Allen made Oct 20 at 2015 5:19 AM

2015-10-20T05:19:13-04:00

Veterans Day is a very special day to me and my family. Never does a day go by where I don't think of current and past members of my family who have served this great nation dating back to the French Indian War. It makes me proud to have that type of history in my family.

Response by SPC Edward Tapper made Oct 21 at 2015 9:18 PM

2015-10-21T21:18:53-04:00

While many civilians don't really know the difference in Memorial Day and Veteran's Day, I would love to teach them all. Memorial Day is a very personal time for me to reflect and remember that this country was bought and paid for by the brave men and women who, so unselfishly, gave their lives for our freedoms.

To me, Veteran's Day is a time to celebrate all the men and women who have been bold enough to stand up for America and wrote a blank check, payable up to certain death, to the citizens of the United States of America. They have served, and continue to serve, in some fashion, to give honor to all those who are now serving and to continue the remembrance of all our fallen during Memorial Day. It's a time to increase awareness of returning soldiers who have suffered lost limbs, lost eyesight or hearing, those who have suffered a TBI or from PTSD or even worse, homelessness. It's a time for all veterans to support each other and show each other gratitude for their service, as many civilians will not. It's a time for veterans to start educating the civilian sector about what this country's freedoms mean to them and inform them how it is, That they still have the freedoms they so carelessly enjoy, without a second thought.

To ALL my brothers and sisters on RallyPoint, as this Veteran's Day approaches, I thank you all for your selflessness and devotion to the greatest country in the world. I also encourage you to raise awareness of the many different issues facing veterans, today.

In HIS Service,
Pastor Eddie Tapper

Response by Lois Plancarte made Nov 7 at 2015 7:04 PM

2015-11-07T19:04:17-05:00

The least we could do for our soldiers that came back & for those that didn't. These were husbands, sons, daughters, mothers, brothers & sisters to someone. They gave the of themselves to protect millions of us that they have never met yet without hesitation will take a bullet for us. How can you thank someone you don't even know the names of nor the families to thank & send condolences.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-11-09T13:42:27-05:00

This is what it means to me: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-can-we-learn-veterans-day-jason-schulz?trk=prof-post

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 5 at 2021 10:45 PM

2021-08-05T22:45:37-04:00

Thanks for sharing