In 1954 the official November 11th holiday name was changed from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day” – this change was made to ensure that the holiday honored all Veterans of all American wars, not just World War I (aka "The Great War"). Memorial Day always falls on November 11, does NOT change to the closest Monday to thus give Americans a long weekend.
Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, the official holiday Memorial Day is now observed on the last Monday in May, a day specifically designed to honor those who died in service or as a result of combat wounds.
Memorial Day does not now and never has officially honored the living members of the military or living United States Military Veterans, a fact that seems lost to many Americans and on the majority of present mass media reporters. Memorial Day was originally called "Decoration Day"... a late 1860's time to decorate with flowers the graves of deceased American Civil War Veterans. However, there presently seems to be many in the USA who disagree, holding to firm belief that Memorial Day should officially honor all deceased military Veterans, and there is personal agreement on that point. On Memorial Day many do choose to honor their family's deceased military Veterans, look no further than most any USA cemetery at the many American Flag drapped Veteran headstones... yes, even found in the National Cemeteries. How can this family and Federal Organization practice be considered a problem?
Note to the mass news media: Armed Forces Day is the day that celebrates the men and women currently serving in the United States Armed Forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard. Established in 1949, this annual holiday is observed on the third Saturday of May. This day is a unified day to honor all branches of the military and show appreciation for the service members' sacrifices and dedication to protecting the nation. Current active duty members of the U.S. military are NOT considered Veterans (Title 38 of the U.S. Code) -- the title Veteran is earned by former members (both living and deceased) of the U.S. military who were discharged or released from a service under honoroble conditions.
The following nine links support recent selected posts done over the past 5 years that honor family and non-family past Veterans of the United States Military:
A World War II Sailor, click HERE
Four military veterans of World War II and Vietnam, click HERE
A Revolutionary Soldier, click HERE
Two Great-Great Grandfathers and American Civil War Veterans, click HERE
Honoring more Revolutionary War Veterans, click HERE
Two cousins and World War I U.S. Army Veterans, click HERE
An American Civil War casuality Private James Cady Stanton, click HERE
Two U.S. Army Colonels Mortally Wounded-In-Action at the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg, click HERE
Three distant cousins Killed-In-Action during the Revolution and in World War II, click HERE
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