Veterans Day, I understand, is a day of remembrance to all of those men and women who have served in the military. Not only those who have died but to those who have served and to those who are still serving their country. I am disheartened to learn that November 11th is much less recognized or not as strongly observed in the U.S. as it is in other countries. Veterans Day parades were held today and not on Tuesday, November 11th. Most of us work on Tuesday, as our employers insist on conducting business as usual. Veterans Day Sales are kicking off the Christmas shopping season early instead of waiting until after Thanksgiving. Maybe November 11th is just another day, nothing special, symbolizing something that happened so long ago, nobody speaks of it anymore. I mean no disrespect at all, I am just saddened that another holiday, especially an important one as this has succumb to commercialism.
To me November 11th is Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day and I am also familiar with reference to Poppy Day. A day commemorating the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. I grew up observing November 11th by wearing a poppy, reciting In Flanders Fields in school, honoring 2 minutes of silence to remember the fallen soldiers of World War I, World War II and the too many wars that have followed.
November 11th is a respectful, solemn, an almost somber day. A day when every business closed and parades were held on the 11th day, regardless of what day of the week it occurred.
We wore our poppies, we stood out in the rain and snow, the bagpipes played and we hung our heads.
Just two minutes...to remember.
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