I wish all the American veterans a Happy Veterans’ Day, in
gratitude for their service to keep the United States independent, safe and
free.
As I have
noted every Memorial Day, I have been concerned that Memorial Day, which is
intended to be a day of mourning for those who died in service to the United States ,
has become too celebratory, observed informally as the “unofficial start of
summer” and typified by picnics and the opening of public pools. I have lamented the wishes of “Happy Memorial
Day” and the like. Veterans’ Day,
observed on the anniversary of the armistice that ended the First World War,
instead of celebrating the sacrifices and achievements of living veterans, has
become more somber. As it is observed in
mid-autumn and often as a mid-week holiday instead of the legally required
three-day weekend for Memorial Day, November 11 is less inviting of the kind of
celebrations that are typical of Memorial Day.
As the last Monday in May is not an historical anniversary, it is as
fitting a day as any to thank veterans for their service. And as a day in late spring, it would better
allow for veterans parades in most American cities than the current date for
the observation of Veterans’ Day.
Therefore, I propose to switch the
two federal and state holidays, celebrating Veterans’ Day on the last Monday in
May and Memorial Day on November 11, so that the former will be less somber and
the latter less celebratory.
Either way, it is a good practice
to thank veterans any day, but especially on the holiday of Veterans’ Day, and
to remember those who sacrificed their lives, especially on Memorial Day.
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