why do we need rememberance/veterans day?

[lordlundar]

Ohhh yea, apparently I'm going for flame bait here, but it's not what you think, so please don't just read the title.

What I mean by this is why does society feel we only need one day for remembering those who fought and died so we can enjoy the freedoms we have. Did they only fight and die on that one day? No. We need to remember their services every day throughout the year, and if we do that, then there is no need for a special day to remember them, as they all are. It just baffles me and I needed to get it out.

Lest we Forget
Always Remember
Forever we Honour.

[HYHYBT]

Because people don't work like that. At least, we can't put attention on everything that ought to be paid attention to all the time. So we have certain days to focus on certain things.

Though the intended-as-separate purposes of Veterans Day and Memorial Day are so blurred...

[wraiths_crono]

I believe its a cover so they can shut down government, and have an excuse to BBQ, or party and have it covered with the guize of rememberance. I have a brother and a few friends in the military so I think about them a lot, and tend to thank anyone I see with a military uniform that I see, but I am abnormal anyway lol.

[drunkenwildmage]

You have a valid point on remembering everyday, I agree it should.



Cliff Notes Version:

How this date got choose was because November 11 was the day that the WWI Armistice was signed. President Wilson proclaimed it Armistice day. In the 20's Congress made if officially, and in 1954(?) The name was changed to Veterans day to remember the Veterans from all the wars, not just WW1.

[daleduke17]

You have a valid point on remembering everyday, I agree it should.



Cliff Notes Version:

How this date got choose was because September 11 was the day that the WWI Armistice was signed. President Wilson proclaimed it Armistice day. In the 20's Congress made if officially, and in 1954(?) The name was changed to Veterans day to remember the Veterans from all the wars, not just WW1.

WWI Armistice was signed on NOVEMBER 11.

[drunkenwildmage]

Yep..you are correct..I was thinking November 11, but for some stupid reason my fingers pushed September 11.. Corrected..

[daleduke17]

Yep..you are correct..I was thinking November 11, but for some stupid reason my fingers pushed September 11.. Corrected..

Because the media has rammed the "newer and cooler" Patriot's Day down our throats for the last nine years.

[Tanasi]

While it would be nice that veterans are remembered more than one day a year, I think most would be happy with Nov 11th being the lone day. If more were set aside then it would become common and ignored.
Until the Iraq and Afghanistan wars unless it was a special event hardly any individual recognitiion took place. After Viet Nam a lot of veterans kept their service a secret to avoid problems with protestors. Now days it's common at a lot of airports and bus stations that someone is there to thank the service people for their service to their country in the 70's the direct opposite was true. Also a lot of veterans don't like to remember their time in as it brings back a lot of bad memories.
There's a common saying "All gave some, some gave all." That means all service people gave something to their country, some service people gave all they ever had and would ever have for their country. I'd rather more emphasis be put on Memorial Day in rememberance of those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

[joe hx]

Because it forces people to recognize our veterans.

[Jack]

IMO being in the military isn't that special. I never made it past basic and out to A school and a duty station but all my family who've been in tell me it's more or less a day job. Most people don't do anything directly spectacular in the military. I mean the achievement is admirable and all. But sometimes I'm out and about with people who are way too fanatical toward the military. One time I was walking around with this guy I met, just hanging out, talking, you know, usual getting-acquainted stuff, and we passed some lady in US Army ACUs. He whacked my arm and saluted her (rather sloppily I might add) as he walked by. She gave him an odd look that seemed to say "WTF (I ain't an officer)" and I gave her a look that I hoped said "I don't really know this guy." My point is that some people far overestimate the individual worth of a servicemember to the world, and that person's own self-worth and what they expect from Joe Civilian.

[protege]

After Viet Nam a lot of veterans kept their service a secret to avoid problems with protestors.

Yeppers. I've heard stories that my dad got spit on and harassed when he returned home after Vietnam. Even now, he really doesn't talk about his time in the service all that much. But, he did shed a couple of tears at the Vets Memorial--some of his friends are on that wall

[Andara Bledin]

IMO being in the military isn't that special. I never made it past basic and out to A school and a duty station but all my family who've been in tell me it's more or less a day job.

Nice. So, being willing to be asked to risk your life and wellbeing for the sake of others is just "a day job." *rolls eyes*

^-.-^

[AdminAssistant]

Nice. So, being willing to be asked to risk your life and wellbeing for the sake of others is just "a day job." *rolls eyes*

^-.-^

I think Jack was making the point that not every service member is in a life threatening situation. In the meanwhile, there are many Joe Citizens who also put their lives in danger all the time (police, firefighters, EMTs, etc.) without a lot of the accolades. I am not downplaying the importance of our armed forces - they are vital to are safety and I appreciate their service. However, there's a difference between being stationed on the front lines in Afghanistan and in Germany.

[Jack]

Yeah, pretty much that. I probably should have made it more clear though. I don't mean to say that no one in the military is at disproportionate and admirable risk, but that everyone certainly isn't, and that people in general seem to pay attention and respect far exceeding that deserved or even expected by most servicemembers.

[Andara Bledin]

I prefer to think that the problem lies in that those not in the military who risk their lives get too little recognition as opposed to the military getting too much.

^-.-^