Talk:Veterans Day

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Move/merge

Hm. Hadn't thought of that possibility. What say we move it? -- Zoe

I don't know how to do it the easy way. Go ahead.(btw i did google search to make certain of the spelling, and the VFW spells it that way.) BF

Better to have one medium stub rather than two short stubs. This article should probably be amalgamated with Armistice Day. If so, under which title? "Armistice Day" is the original (I think) and is still used in Europe (?), "Veterans Day" is (I gather) current US usage (other places too?) and "Remembrance Day" is current Oz & NZ usage (maybe other places too). The important thing is that they all share the 11th November date and are different names for the same thing. Tannin

Not really the same thing. In the US, Armistice Day was specifically in memory of those who died in World War I, but after World War II, Veterans Day was instituted to honor those who died in all wars. -- Zoe

It's the same here in Oz, Zoe. Started as a WW1 thing, now broader. Though we have ANZAC Day as well, just to make it more complicated. Tannin

Keep Veterans Day and Armistice Day separate. They are completely different holidays with completely different goals. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by RawkStah (talk • contribs) November 22, 2005.

Poppy Day

Is Poppy Day associated with Veterans Day? I was looking it up for class today and i came across poppy day as a remembrance for war veterans but it seems to be a new zealand holiday, so is it associated with the USA veterans day?...

-nepegg89

Off from work?

Do people in the USA get a day off on Veterans Day? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 65.217.163.153 (talk • contribs) 20:02, November 10, 2005.

Veterans day is one of the very few federal holidays that Americans do not usually have off. Sometimes private companies and federal institutes will have the day off, but for the most part Americans report to work as though it were any other day. Its really disappointing and they should let out all schools and some companies out on this day honoring the veterans TomStar81 01:14, 11 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Many state governments, including Missouri are also closed. It's also relatively common for banks to be closed for this day as well. Jon (talk) 17:20, 11 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Vonnegut

“I will come to a time in my backwards trip when November eleventh, accidentally my birthday, was a sacred day called Armistice Day. When I was a boy, all the people of all the nations which had fought in the First World War were silent during the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of Armistice Day, which was the eleventh day of the eleventh month. “It was during that minute in nineteen hundred and eighteen, that millions upon millions of human beings stopped butchering one and another. I have talked to old men who were on battlefields during that minute. They have told me in one way or another that the sudden silence was the voice of God. So we still have among us some men who can remember when God spoke clearly to mankind. “Armistice Day has become Veterans’ Day. Armistice Day was sacred. Veterans’ day is not. “So I will throw Veterans’ Day over my shoulder. Armistice Day I will keep. I don’t want to throw away any sacred things. “What else is sacred? Oh, Romeo and Juliet, for instance. And all music is.”

—Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, 1973

I didn't want to just throw that into the article (it would swamp it), but I think that's a notable social commentary on Veteran's / Armistice day. I wonder if it has a place, or at least a mention. Any thoughts? gren グレン 06:43, 11 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

Maybe we can open up a page on Wikiquote and put this there. Wikiquote usually contains phrases such as these, and a link can be placed on this page to take people to the other one. TomStar81 23:05, 11 November 2005 (UTC)[reply]

"POV and Unrelated Websites"

I thought that actually suggesting some ways to celebrate Veterans Day might be nice. Guess not. They were all veterans day websites by the way. Operation Truth does have an agenda controversial to some, but disabled American vets? The VA's own volunteer site? Here's what I wrote: Suggested Activities for Veterans Day:
1. Pay attention to veterans issues. If your favorite news organization does not give them expanded coverage on Veteran's Day, let them know you are disappointed. Spend some time reading about current issues facing veterans and what you can do to honor their service and improve their lives.
2. Find out about local veterans organizations and donate your time or money.
3. Encourage your community and church organizations to contact a VA hospital in your area and arrange a visit.
http://www.dav.org/ * http://www.operationtruth.com/ * http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/
I don't know what the purpose of the holiday is if it is not to honor veterans in some way. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Jenyum (talk • contribs) November 11, 2005.

Is it really necessary or constructive to post this in the talk page? Your past contributions will be in the change log. Furthermore; encouraging participation in a holiday(however worthy) is beyond the scope of an encyclopedia, and there is already a link to the VA Veterans Day page in the article. Also, a link to Operation Truth would be inappropriate given their lack of neutrality.--24.197.252.128 (talk) 03:34, 12 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Moved from 'Veteran's Day' observed

'Veteran's Day' observed is a holiday in which is part of Veteran's Day.It looks a lot like regular Veteran's Day,but the only thing is that it is celebrated on a different day.The holiday is still celebrated in November before Thanksgiving Day,and it is only celebrated if November 11 falls on a weekend.The date for Veteran's Day is always November 11,even if it is on a weekend.However,'Veteran's Day' observed is a holiday that is part of Veteran's Day but is celebrated the previous or following weekday if November 11 falls on a weekend.If Veteran's Day falls on Saturday,then 'Veteran's Day' observed falls and is celebrated on November 10,which is the previous Friday.If Veteran's Day falls on Sunday,then 'Veteran's Day' observed falls and is celebrated on November 12,which is the following Monday.Both are called 'Veteran's Day' observed so that people could enjoy a three-day weekend if Veteran's Day falls on a weekend.It is really celebrated like Veteran's Day.

Attribution: 2006-03-08 01:39:42 Jose and Ricardo ('Veteran's Day' observed)

Actually, most businesses, schools, and government agencies, and all banks and the bond market do not close on Nov. 10 if Nov. 11 falls on a Saturday. They do sometimes close on Nov. 12 if Veterans Day falls on a Sunday. I agree that it is wrong and unfair, but that's the way it is. So, I do not think that Nov. 10 is ever "Veterans Day Observed". —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.184.64.197 (talk • contribs) September 27, 2006.

I think another reason why many companies do not observe Veterans Day (rather than its proximity to Thanksgiving Day) is because in most years, it does not give a 3 day weekend, unlike most other holidays. And, since it is not near the summer, it tends not to be a major travel holiday. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 24.184.64.197 (talk • contribs) September 27, 2006.

Two Things

1) Most public schools at the primary (Elementary) and Secondary (High School) levels in the US get the day off. As a result of dependence upon public schools for busing and the like many private schools also are not in session.

2) It is not a day to remember the dead in the US. Memorial Day in May, is the day to remember those members of the Armed Forces who died. Veterans Day is the day to remember those who are still around. [LawF] —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 168.141.203.13 (talk • contribs) 16:11, August 25, 2006.

Please expand

It's just a little more than a stub. Someone needs to add more, because I don't know much about this subject. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 75.38.110.24 (talk • contribs) 20:21, November 8, 2006.

Veterans Day, Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day?

Which is it officially? There is a surprisingly small amount of material here on this subject. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 67.100.126.205 (talk • contribs) 14:56, November 9, 2006.

It is veterans day, not veterans' day, or veteran's day. I know this because i looked it up. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 66.207.227.20 (talk • contribs) 16:44, November 9, 2006.

The correct spelling is Veterans Day. Source: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp Noah 16:37, 10 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Needs sources too...

If someone adds more info to this page, they need to show their sources. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 168.169.232.153 (talk • contribs) 19:07, November 9, 2006.

Inconsistency

In the first paragraph, it says "a state holiday in all states"; however, in the sidebar it says "Type: Federal (and most U.S. states)". I would change it, but I don't know which is correct. Bizzako 20:51, 11 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

It is both a federal holiday and individual states have it in their statutes as well. However, all state governments observe federal holidays, therefore to mention both is redundant and also confusing to people unfamiliar with American government.--24.197.252.128 (talk) 02:39, 12 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

"Celebrated" or Commemorated?

"It is celebrated on..." - surely this is "commemorated" or "observed"? or is Veterans Day noted as a joyous occasion? In the UK Remembrance Day is observed with solemnity, respect and sadness, not joy. (Or is this something to do with the USA having a separate "Memorial Day"?) --mgaved 18:10, 12 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think this is just semantics. I'll agree observed or commemorated are slightly more appropriate, I should point out that while our attitude towards the date in the US is solemn and respectful as you said, the observances are a show of gratitude and remembrance to our veterans and a celebration of what they acted to protect. So I suppose it's a bit of both.--24.197.252.128 (talk) 02:48, 12 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Why was it the 4th Monday in October?

From 1971-77, when Veterans Day was moved to a Monday, why was it the 4th Monday of October, rather than the 2nd Monday in November? I'm not aware of any anniversaries involving war that are in late October. And the 4th Monday of October is only 2 weeks after Columbus Day.

Which time zone?

The eleventh hour; but in which time zone? I am guessing UTC+1, or the 1918 equivalent, since the majority of the war's events took place on the European mainland. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 170.115.251.13 (talk) 17:16, 14 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

According to the link that was 11 AM Paris Time. Which was GMT at the time since France didn't move to GMT + 1 until WW II. Jon (talk) 17:16, 11 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Celebration day

It seems that the article is wrong in saying that the holiday is always on Monday of the week of November 11th. I found this in a government web site (http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp):

Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. The Veterans Day National Ceremony, like most ceremonies around the nation, is held on Veterans Day itself. However, when Veterans Day falls on a weekday, many communities choose to hold Veterans Day parades or other celebrations on the weekend before or after November 11 so that more people can participate. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 63.167.95.138 (talk) 18:14, 4 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Correct. Veterans Day is always November 11th, regardless of the day of the week it falls on. However, if you were to have the day off of work/school and the 11th was, say, on a Saturday, then you would most likely have off the previous Monday instead. ataricom (talk) 05:14, 8 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Deletion

I know that I should probably have mooted this deletion here beforehand, and I also know that changes by unregistered users don't have much authority at WP, but I doubt any dedicated editor will object to my removal of this:

Veterans day is a day celebrated by people of all colors, all backgrounds, and all religious entities. However, many stay at home mothers are not fond of celebrating the Veterans day holiday, because it upsets them that they do not get credit for cooking and other household items. And I quote, from a mother of four children who wished to be called Susun Q: "I do just as much work as anyone who's ever made the "ultimate sacrifice" for their country. I make the "Ultimate sacrifice" every day, and get no credit. I bake the food, change the diapers, and I'm the spiritual center to our family, yet I get no credit."

Much as I sympathize with "Susun Q," I don't think her tribulations as a mother and homemaker have much bearing on the question of whether we should celebrate Veterans Day. In fact, I'd suggest that her concerns are much more relevant to the question of how we celebrate Mother's Day. 65.213.77.129 (talk) 14:38, 2 September 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Observances

"Observances: Parades, school history projects"

The "school history projects" seems very tongue-in-cheek to me. It may come across as belittling.--Hikui87 14:25, 11 November 2008 (UTC)

"MY GRANDFATHER IS A VETERAN. =)"

Erm, yes, mine is too. But that's not exactly the response I was looking for.

Deleted "school history projects" and replaced with "ceremonies honoring local veterans"--Hikui87 01:52, 12 November 2008 (UTC)