~~Memorial Day is a day set aside to commemorate those who have fallen in war.
~~Veterans' Day is a day set aside to commemorate those who have served.
~~Labor Day is a day set aside to commemorate those in America who work.
Okay, now that this has been established, this is how we celebrate.
~~Memorial Day:
Always celebrated on the last Monday in May. Traditionally, people have placed flags on graves, visited memorials, flying their flags at half-staff until noon, flying the POW/MIA flag, and participating in a National Moment of Remembrance (3pm your local time). Also, it has become a weekend in which we get families together and have meals, cook-outs, go shopping, and generally spend time together.
| In Flanders Fields John McCrae, 1915. |
| In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. (This poem has been found here.) |
Also, this well-known poem has been turned into song...there are a ton of versions on Youtube. I have yet to find one that resembles the one we sang in school that made me cry EVERY TIME.
~~Veterans Day:
Always on November 11, this holiday dates back to the signing of the Armistice that ended WW1. President Wilson decided that the returning soldiers would want a home-cooked meal, so he invited 2,000 soldiers to the White House for ravioli. Many people still eat ravioli on this day.
"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."-President Woodrow Wilson, November 11, 1919
(Info and quote found here.)
Many public institutions will host a service, a commemorative parade or a meal of some sort. All Americans are asked to thank a Veteran. Veterans can be of any age as long as they have served in the military; it is widely thought (inaccurately) amongst younger people that "veteran" refers to senior citizens who have served. Many people also take the time to thank those who are currently serving.
~~Labor Day:
The first Monday in September, Labor Day was established after several people died during the Pullman Strike. Generally, it is celebrated by parades followed by celebrations (usually involving food) for workers and their families. Often families celebrate by having picnics, barbecues, fireworks, water sports and public arts events. It generally also marks the end of summer, so many people take the opportunity to travel or throw end-of-the-season parties.
(All this info found here.)
Gosh I love Wikipedia.
So there you have it! A semi-comprehensive article-of-sorts that explains the differences. You may notice that two of the three are celebrated with barbecues....which is probably why I was confusing them. Nothing like a barbecue for this American girl. =)
(Found here.)
All three of these celebrations have the same three color themes...red, white, and blue. We Americans are very proud of our heritage and we have at least four holidays in which we decorate everything with these colors. I love this. I really do! Sure, it's way overdone in some cases, but I'm willing to overlook that. Just on those days.
So how am I going to celebrate Memorial Day 2011? Well, I don't know anyone who died in service and I really don't want to go searching for a graveyard when it's 90 degrees outside (my MN blood hasn't thinned properly yet so I am in danger of heat exhaustion...no joke!).
Today, I will make a delicious chicken dinner (using BWW sauce recipes), boil some home-grown corn and cut up home-grown watermelon. And eat ice cream. Yeah.
Happy Memorial Day!
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