If I hear "Happy Veteran's Day" one more time today there WILL be consequences, and I will NOT be responsible for my actions.
First off, there is only one proper sentiment for Veteran's Day - "Thank You". Saying happy "Day That We Remember Those Who Died and Fight For Us" just seems kind of crass.
Secondly, today is NOT Veteran's Day. Today is Veteran's Day, Observed. Today could also be called "Any Excuse For a Federal/Bank Holiday" Day and "Yay, I Get Time and a Half" Day. But today is DEFINITELY not Veteran's Day.
Veteran's Day was yesterday, November 11th. Why November 11th? Because on November 11th, 1918 the armistice of 1918 was signed, ending the fighting of World War I. A few months later, The Treaty of Versailles officially ended the fighting and wholesale slaughter of an entire generation of young men. The armistice marked the point where every soldier (and his family and friends) breathed a collective sigh of relief as they knew for certain they were coming home.
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on November 11th, 1918, not November 11th "unless it falls on a Sunday, in which case it will be celebrated on the 12th so everyone can get a 3 day weekend."
Changing the date not only destroys the ENTIRE point of remembering the day, but is also incredibly insulting to those who died in WWI. Essentially, changing the date to something more convenient makes it not about those who died and those who still fight, but about those who "celebrate" those sacrifices with a day off a work.
Veteran's Day is not about a day off of work. In fact, Veteran's Day is not about you, at all, unless you are or were at one point a member of our armed forces. Veteran's Day is about THEM, all of those who fought and still fight in order to protect your rights, including the right to choose a workplace that gave you today off.
Veteran's Day is not a day of celebration, relaxation, and furniture sales. Veteran's Day is a day of remembrance of all the sacrifices which insure our liberty.
Veteran's Day is not about you, it's about them. It's about remembering to honor those who died, and those who still live.
So if you insist on "celebrating" today, go buy a veteran a drink, or visit the graves all of the fallen. You don't need a holiday to thank those who fight so we don't have to.
Mel
