Jump to content

Talk:Veterans Day/Archive 1

Page contents not supported in other languages.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Archive 1

Veterans Day

Not really the same thing. In the US, Armistice Day was specifically in memory of those who died in World War I, but after World War II, Veterans Day was instituted to honor those who died in all wars. -- Zoe
It's the same here in Oz, Zoe. Started as a WW1 thing, now broader. Though we have ANZAC Day as well, just to make it more complicated. Tannin

Keep Veterans Day and Armistice Day separate. They are completely different holidays with completely different goals. RawkStah (talk • contribs) November 22, 2005.

Poppy Day

Is Poppy Day associated with Veterans Day? I was looking it up for class today and i came across poppy day as a remembrance for war veterans but it seems to be a new zealand holiday, so is it associated with the USA veterans day?...nepegg89

You are right. Poppy's are traditionally associated with the day but I live in a part of the US where, sadly, veteran's day is largely forgotten other than being a day off so I don't know the traditions around it. Hopefully someone cal fill it in. Nickjost (talk) 17:28, 8 November 2011 (UTC)

Off from work?

Do people in the USA get a day off on Veterans Day? 65.217.163.153 (talk • contribs) 20:02, November 10, 2005.

Veterans day is one of the very few federal holidays that Americans do not usually have off. Sometimes private companies and federal institutes will have the day off, but for the most part Americans report to work as though it were any other day. Its really disappointing and they should let out all schools and some companies out on this day honoring the veterans TomStar81 01:14, 11 November 2005 (UTC)
Many state governments, including Missouri are also closed. It's also relatively common for banks to be closed for this day as well. Jon (talk) 17:20, 11 November 2008 (UTC)
My first job was with a bank. I miss the holidays -- we got all the Federal and state holidays off. The state holidays included Columbus Day, Admission Day (the day our state was admitted to the U.S. as a state), and so forth. I don't think we got Arbor Day off, but that may have been the only one we missed... 8-)—CWesling (talk) 20:29, 11 November 2009 (UTC)

Vonnegut

“I will come to a time in my backwards trip when November eleventh, accidentally my birthday, was a sacred day called Armistice Day. When I was a boy, all the people of all the nations which had fought in the First World War were silent during the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour of Armistice Day, which was the eleventh day of the eleventh month. “It was during that minute in nineteen hundred and eighteen, that millions upon millions of human beings stopped butchering one and another. I have talked to old men who were on battlefields during that minute. They have told me in one way or another that the sudden silence was the voice of God. So we still have among us some men who can remember when God spoke clearly to mankind. “Armistice Day has become Veterans’ Day. Armistice Day was sacred. Veterans’ day is not. “So I will throw Veterans’ Day over my shoulder. Armistice Day I will keep. I don’t want to throw away any sacred things. “What else is sacred? Oh, Romeo and Juliet, for instance. And all music is.”

—Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut, 1973 I didn't want to just throw that into the article (it would swamp it), but I think that's a notable social commentary on Veteran's / Armistice day. I wonder if it has a place, or at least a mention. Any thoughts? gren グレン 06:43, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

Maybe we can open up a page on Wikiquote and put this there. Wikiquote usually contains phrases such as these, and a link can be placed on this page to take people to the other one. TomStar81 23:05, 11 November 2005 (UTC)

This quote speaks to the controversy arising from the name change. The U.S. holliday was declared by a Democratic president to remember peace, but changed during Republican dominance to honor or glorify the warrior. More people than Vonnegut regarded teh name change as dishonorable to the original intent. Is the photograph of the veteran Joseph Ambrose World War 2 or WW 1? He is wearing a doughboy uniform more commonly seen in WW1 and his age would have made him very old to be fighting in WW2. Wouldn't the inclusion of a WW 1 veteran be more appropriate as the remembrance is from WW1?Emobiles (talk) 17:44, 24 November 2010 (UTC)

"Police On Video and Unrelated Websites"

I thought that actually suggesting some ways to celebrate Veterans Day might be nice. Guess not. They were all veterans day websites by the way. Operation Truth does have an agenda controversial to some, but disabled American vets? The VA's own volunteer site? Here's what I wrote: Suggested Activities for Veterans Day:
1. Pay attention to veterans issues. If your favorite news organization does not give them expanded coverage on Veteran's Day, let them know you are disappointed. Spend some time reading about current issues facing veterans and what you can do to honor their service and improve their lives.
2. Find out about local veterans organizations and donate your time or money.
3. Encourage your community and church organizations to contact a VA hospital in your area and arrange a visit.
http://www.dav.org/ * http://www.operationtruth.com/ * http://www1.va.gov/volunteer/
I don't know what the purpose of the holiday is if it is not to honor veterans in some way. JenyumNovember 11, 2005.

Is it really necessary or constructive to post this in the talk page? Your past contributions will be in the change log. Furthermore; encouraging participation in a holiday(however worthy) is beyond the scope of an encyclopedia, and there is already a link to the VA Veterans Day page in the article. Also, a link to Operation Truth would be inappropriate given their lack of neutrality.--24.197.252.128 (talk) 03:34, 12 November 2008 (UTC)

Moved from Article:'Veterans Day' Observed

'Veteran's Day' observed is a holiday in which is part of Veteran's Day.It looks a lot like regular Veteran's Day,but the only thing is that it is celebrated on a different day.The holiday is still celebrated in November before Thanksgiving Day,and it is only celebrated if November 11 falls on a weekend.The date for Veteran's Day is always November 11,even if it is on a weekend.However,'Veteran's Day' observed is a holiday that is part of Veteran's Day but is celebrated the previous or following weekday if November 11 falls on a weekend.If Veteran's Day falls on Saturday,then 'Veteran's Day' observed falls and is celebrated on November 10,which is the previous Friday.If Veteran's Day falls on Sunday,then 'Veteran's Day' observed falls and is celebrated on November 12,which is the following Monday.Both are called 'Veteran's Day' observed so that people could enjoy a three-day weekend if Veteran's Day falls on a weekend.It is really celebrated like Veteran's Day.Jose and Ricardo (talk) 01:39, 8 March 2006 (UTC)

Actually, most businesses, schools, and government agencies, and all banks and the bond market do not close on Nov. 10 if Nov. 11 falls on a Saturday. They do sometimes close on Nov. 12 if Veterans Day falls on a Sunday. I agree that it is wrong and unfair, but that's the way it is. So, I do not think that Nov. 10 is ever "Veterans Day Observed".
I think another reason why many companies do not observe Veterans Day (rather than its proximity to Thanksgiving Day) is because in most years, it does not give a 3 day weekend, unlike most other holidays. And, since it is not near the summer, it tends not to be a major travel holiday. 24.184.64.197 (talk • contribs) September 27, 2006.

Two Things

1) Most public schools at the primary (Elementary) and Secondary (High School) levels in the US get the day off. As a result of dependence upon public schools for busing and the like many private schools also are not in session. 2) It is not a day to remember the dead in the US. Memorial Day in May, is the day to remember those members of the Armed Forces who died. Veterans Day is the day to remember those who are still around. [LawF] 168.141.203.13 (talk • contribs) 16:11, August 25, 2006.

Please expand

It's just a little more than a stub. Someone needs to add more, because I don't know much about this subject. 75.38.110.24 (talk • contribs) 20:21, November 8, 2006.

Are you sure on the second point? It's my understanding that while Memorial Day is for soldiers who have died, Veterans Day is for all veterans, dead or alive. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.66.229.30 (talk) 14:03, 12 November 2008 (UTC)

Veterans Day, Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day?

Which is it officially? There is a surprisingly small amount of material here on this subject. 67.100.126.205 (talk • contribs) 14:56, November 9, 2006.

It is veterans day, not veterans' day, or veteran's day. I know this because i looked it up. 66.207.227.20 (talk • contribs) 16:44, November 9, 2006.
The correct spelling is Veterans Day. Source: http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp Noah 16:37, 10 November 2006 (UTC)
As this has recently caused some turmoil with moves to the incorrect forms, I thought I'd post an explanation for why it doesn't have an apostrophe that I used to explain it to another editor:
Think about it like Earth Day. Earth Day, despite "honoring" the Earth, doesn't have a possessive because it doesn't belong to the Earth, it's to celebrate the Earth. Rewritten in a more verbose form, "Earth Day" would be rendered as "Day to Honor/Celebrate the Earth". Similarly, Veterans Day doesn't belong to veterans, it honors them. The long form would be "Day to Honor/Celebrate the Veterans". In the long form (which has identical meaning), it's clear that you don't need an apostrophe. Although less obvious, because a similar and possibly valid form only differs in a single punctuation mark, the same rule is being applied in the short form.
Does that explain it to people's satisfaction? --ShadowRangerRIT (talk) 02:35, 12 November 2009 (UTC)

Needs sources too...

If someone adds more info to this page, they need to show their sources. 168.169.232.153 (talk • contribs) 19:07, November 9, 2006.

Inconsistency

In the first paragraph, it says "a state holiday in all states"; however, in the sidebar it says "Type: Federal (and most U.S. states)". I would change it, but I don't know which is correct. Bizzako 20:51, 11 November 2006 (UTC)

It is both a federal holiday and individual states have it in their statutes as well. However, all state governments observe federal holidays, therefore to mention both is redundant and also confusing to people unfamiliar with American government.--24.197.252.128 (talk) 02:39, 12 November 2008 (UTC)

"Celebrated" or Commemorated?

"It is celebrated on..." - surely this is "commemorated" or "observed"? or is Veterans Day noted as a joyous occasion? In the UK Remembrance Day is observed with solemnity, respect and sadness, not joy. (Or is this something to do with the USA having a separate "Memorial Day"?) --mgaved 18:10, 12 November 2006 (UTC)

I think this is just semantics. I'll agree observed or commemorated are slightly more appropriate, I should point out that while our attitude towards the date in the US is solemn and respectful as you said, the observances are a show of gratitude and remembrance to our veterans and a celebration of what they acted to protect. So I suppose it's a bit of both.--24.197.252.128 (talk) 02:48, 12 November 2008 (UTC)

Why was it the 4th Monday in October?

From 1971-77, when Veterans Day was moved to a Monday, why was it the 4th Monday of October, rather than the 2nd Monday in November? I'm not aware of any anniversaries involving war that are in late October. And the 4th Monday of October is only 2 weeks after Columbus Day.

Which time zone?

The eleventh hour; but in which time zone? I am guessing UTC+1, or the 1918 equivalent, since the majority of the war's events took place on the European mainland. 170.115.251.13 (talk) 17:16, 14 September 2007 (UTC)

According to the link that was 11 AM Paris Time. Which was GMT at the time since France didn't move to GMT + 1 until WW II. Jon (talk) 17:16, 11 November 2008 (UTC)

Celebration day

It seems that the article is wrong in saying that the holiday is always on Monday of the week of November 11th. I found this in a government web site (http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetday_faq.asp):

Veterans Day is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. The Veterans Day National Ceremony, like most ceremonies around the nation, is held on Veterans Day itself. However, when Veterans Day falls on a weekday, many communities choose to hold Veterans Day parades or other celebrations on the weekend before or after November 11 so that more people can participate. 63.167.95.138 (talk) 18:14, 4 April 2008 (UTC)
Correct. Veterans Day is always November 11th, regardless of the day of the week it falls on. However, if you were to have the day off of work/school and the 11th was, say, on a Saturday, then you would most likely have off the previous Monday instead. ataricom (talk) 05:14, 8 November 2008 (UTC)

Deletion

I know that I should probably have mooted this deletion here beforehand, and I also know that changes by unregistered users don't have much authority at WP, but I doubt any dedicated editor will object to my removal of this:

Veterans day is a day celebrated by people of all colors, all backgrounds, and all religious entities. However, many stay at home mothers are not fond of celebrating the Veterans day holiday, because it upsets them that they do not get credit for cooking and other household items. And I quote, from a mother of four children who wished to be called Susun Q: "I do just as much work as anyone who's ever made the "ultimate sacrifice" for their country. I make the "Ultimate sacrifice" every day, and get no credit. I bake the food, change the diapers, and I'm the spiritual center to our family, yet I get no credit."

Much as I sympathize with "Susun Q," I don't think her tribulations as a mother and homemaker have much bearing on the question of whether we should celebrate Veterans Day. In fact, I'd suggest that her concerns are much more relevant to the question of how we celebrate Mother's Day. 65.213.77.129 (talk) 14:38, 2 September 2008 (UTC)

Observances

"Observances: Parades, school history projects" The "school history projects" seems very tongue-in-cheek to me. It may come across as belittling.--Hikui87 14:25, 11 November 2008 (UTC)

"MY GRANDFATHER IS A VETERAN. =)"
Erm, yes, mine is too. But that's not exactly the response I was looking for.
Deleted "school history projects" and replaced with "ceremonies honoring local veterans"--Hikui87 01:52, 12 November 2008 (UTC)

Mexican Border Jumping?

wtf... i have never heard of that traditon being associated with Veterans Day here in Sacramento. i think it should be removed as it does not fit the tone of the article and is a tad disrespectful. --Rcollins03 (talk) 09:21, 7 December 2008 (UTC)

I agree, section removed.ndyguy (talk) 17:45, 7 December 2008 (UTC)

Discrepancy in article

The article body says that Veterans Day is a holiday in all US states ... but the infobox says in most US states. Does anyone know which is correct? Can someone please make the appropriate edits? Thanks. (64.252.124.238 (talk) 14:43, 11 November 2009 (UTC))

The answer is neither. According to the definition at state holiday, it only counts as a state holiday if it is not also a federal holiday. I've removed both references. That a few states may not give time off for Veterans Day (which would be odd in my mind) is really too nitty gritty to bother with in any event. Thanks for the heads up. --ShadowRangerRIT (talk) 15:16, 11 November 2009 (UTC)
As a state employee, I can assure you that very few states, municipalities, etc. treat it as a holiday. Those days are long gone. Only federal employees get the day off. --Orange Mike | Talk 20:57, 16 November 2011 (UTC)

First Veterans Day Parade

In 1945,Birmingham, Alabama native Raymond Weeks had the vision for expanding Armistice Day to honor all veterans. Weeks led a delegation to Washington, DC to petition General Dwight Eisenhower, then Chief of Staff of the Army. Birmingham hosted the first Veterans Day in 1947. It still has the nation's oldest and biggest Veterans Day parade.

Weeks was presented the Freedoms Foundation's National George Washington Honor Medal. He received the National Community Service Award from the VFW, American Legion Commendation Award, and commendations from all branches of the military services. In 1966, the United States Army presented him with their highest award to civilians, the Outstanding Distinguished Civilian Service Medal. <http://www.nationalveteransday.org/downloads/Guide%20to%20Birmingham%20Veterans%20Day%202.pdf> Bev1959 (talk) 00:55, 12 November 2009 (UTC) no life in danger —Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.20.36.107 (talk) 02:17, 12 November 2009 (UTC)

Edit request from 209.255.214.18, 11 November 2010

{{edit semi-protected}}

Sentence:

. . . son had been killed . . .

should be changed to:

. . . son was killed . . .

Reason: minor grammatical error. (Unfortunately, it doesn't change the fact.)

209.255.214.18 (talk) 11:20, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Done Stickee (talk) 12:10, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Edit request from 192.44.136.113, 11 November 2010

{{edit semi-protected}} Hi. I was reading the article on Veterans Day and I noticed the photo of the older gentleman in uniform. The photo caption read that he was 86 years old and a veteran of World War 1. I believe this is a typo... because if he is 86 years old he was born in 1924. Hence he was born after WWI. I believe the gentleman probably served during World War 2 for which he would have been 16 or 17 years old. This seems more accurate.

Thus, I would request that you please change "veteran of WWI" to "veteran of WWII" under his photo.

Thanks for investigating. Wikipedia totally rocks!!! JG 192.44.136.113 (talk) 19:26, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Nope, it says he was 86 IN 1982, meaning he was born in the 1800's. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.48.119.25 (talk) 20:34, 11 November 2010 (UTC)
Not done: Yup. Born circa 1896, which means he was ~18 at the start of WWI. -Atmoz (talk) 21:07, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Ravioli on Veteran's day --- seriously? The supporting links look pretty weak. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.205.95.65 (talk) 21:58, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

I dunno, we always ate ravioli at my house as a kid for it, didn't know that's how it originated though... —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.116.156.250 (talk) 22:37, 11 November 2010 (UTC)

Edit request from Lakeguard, 12 November 2010

{{edit semi-protected}} The word "delivered" is misspelled in the sentence "No mail is delivered."

Lakeguard (talk) 16:17, 12 November 2010 (UTC)

Already done Thanks. -Atmoz (talk) 18:34, 12 November 2010 (UTC)

Every devilvery did count to those who had sorrow to the familys. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.243.129.170 (talk) 21:59, 10 November 2011 (UTC)

Picture Description

Under the picture of Joseph Ambrose it says his son died in the Vietnam War. On the page for the image it says his son died in the Korean War.

Just wanted to point that out. I don't know which one is correct. 99.44.249.61 (talk) 13:43, 4 November 2011 (UTC)

Poor Indent

The headings after History are indented too much (presumably from a missing closing quote). I would have fixed this but for some reason was unable to Edit the page. Also the second reference note has an exposed error. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Eddiephlash (talk • contribs) 22:02, 9 November 2011 (UTC)

New poster...

Can somebody upload the current (2011) poster from http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp? I haven't learned that wikipedia skill yet (and where do I go to learn?) Bob305 (talk) 03:00, 10 November 2011 (UTC)

Grammar

Third sentence: "It is coincides" 98.229.223.5 (talk) 10:12, 11 November 2011 (UTC)

RfC: Ravioli Reference

Honestly I tend to agree with the research done here http://www.csmonitor.com/Innovation/Horizons/2011/1111/Veterans-Day-ravioli-Is-that-a-real-tradition that cites the lack of credible evidence for this attribution and the sources listed as flimsy. Anyone else agree this should be removed? e0steven(☎Talk|✍Contrib) 18:35, 11 November 2011 (UTC)

I was just coming here to ask about this myself, I have never heard of this "tradition". I say cut it. --Khajidha (talk) 18:38, 11 November 2011 (UTC)
We always ate ravioli in my house growing up on VDay. My grandfather made us eat his homemade pasta, it was disgusting, but now that he is gone - I wish he was still around to make it for us :-( --David J.
I've been serving my family ravioli ever since I returned from Vietnam where I first learned about the tradition. I was in my squad when one of my teammates opened up his MRE. We use to call the ravioli "pillow bombs" because of how bad they made our stomachs feel after eating them.

Yup! We've had this tradition in our family for a long time too! My grandmother would make a spicy sausage and spinach ravioli that was to die for! Rest in peace grand'ma'ma! — Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.18.89.230 (talk) 18:59, 11 November 2011 (UTC)

It's been a tradition in our household but maybe this is only known among service families? This was also acknowledged by the official DoD twitter account. 12.20.135.2 (talk) 19:51, 11 November 2011 (UTC)

Snopes

Snopes says removing it was the right decision. Powers T 22:25, 12 November 2012 (UTC)

Primary topic / article title and disambiguation

Why was this article moved without any discussion whatsoever? This article should be moved back to Veterans Day unless clear evidence can be shown that it is not the clear primary topic. Thanks. - BilCat (talk) 03:59, 10 October 2013 (UTC)

I didn't think it was controversial. The main problem as I see it, is that the article is US specific and many countries to have a "Veterans Day". -- 签名 sig at 04:10, 10 October 2013 (UTC)
That's not the point of a clear primary topic. The primary usage in English appears to be for the US holiday. Other countries have a Royal Navy, but Royal Navy is about the navy of the UK for the same reason. - BilCat (talk) 04:29, 10 October 2013 (UTC)

Requested move

The following discussion is an archived discussion of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on the talk page. Editors desiring to contest the closing decision should consider a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.

The result of the move request was: Moved back to plain Veterans Day; disambiguation page not moved. Clear consensus for a primary topic for the U.S. holiday. No consensus developed to make this a WP:DABCONCEPT, so information about such celebrations in general versus information relevant to the United States should be placed on another page. (non-admin closure) Red Slash 01:36, 31 October 2013 (UTC)


– Let's create community decisions rather than take unilateral decisions. This can settle a base to other holidays with similar issues. Per the discussion above, if there are countries that have a Veterans Day, then there is no primary topic, as such, the page Veterans Day shouldn't be redirected here, but Veterans Day (disambiguation) should be moved there. Otherwise, the recent move should be reversed. I'm neutral in which is better, but I'd prefer the recent move to be reverted. Tbhotch.™ Grammatically incorrect? Correct it! See terms and conditions. 05:09, 10 October 2013 (UTC)

  • Support solution 2. I'm not for US phenomena always being the primary topic, but since US seems to the only "native Englishspeaking" country with a Veterans Day called exactly that, and given the googling and link statistics, I'd say it qualifies as the primary topic. Tomas e (talk) 16:09, 28 October 2013 (UTC)
The above discussion is preserved as an archive of a requested move. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made in a new section on this talk page or in a move review. No further edits should be made to this section.

Veterans Day

Some of this information on this page is misleading. Emporia, KS is the founding city of Veterans Day. Alvin King introduced the bill and the bill passed in 1953. I have all documents that deal with the history is Veterans Day. Please contact me for the correct information by emailing [email address removed to minimize spam - jb]

Thanks, Chritian 199.188.57.58 (talk) 16:14, 22 November 2013 (UTC)

Not done: we never contact people to request information like that. Please make your edit request in the form "change X to Y" and identify accessible reliable sources for information you would like included. Thanks. --Stfg (talk) 17:30, 22 November 2013 (UTC)

Having submitted documentation before, Wikipedia has properly retained Congressman Edward Herbert Rees from Emporia, Kansas as the legislator who introduced the bill for Veterans Day. Mr. Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama can be credited with organizing the first parade for Veterans on Armistice Day in 1947 in Birmingham, Alabama. It has been the largest such ceremony at times and certainly the oldest by tradition. Mr. Weeks may have had proposals submitted for consideration of the holiday as well as later having photographs with General Eisenhower, but he did not deliver the bacon as they say in the Magic City. Congressman Rees was from Kansas not Alabama. One source that is listed for Veterans Day that is not active at present on Wikipedia is #3. Carter, Julie (November 2003) "Where Veterans Day Began", VFW Magazine which clearly cites the Emporia, Kansas link. A more solid source that should be referenced is the text records of the House of Congress Resolution 159, 108th Congress, which declares Emporia, Kansas, to be the founding city of the Veterans Day holiday and recognizing the contribution of Alvin J. King, of Emporia, Kansas, to create the holiday. Mr. King's nephew (stepson), John Cooper was activated for Federal Service, December 23, 1940, as a member of Company B (Emporia, Kansas), 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division (Santa Fe), from the Kansas Army National Guard. In May, 1944, this unit was stationed near Newquay, England. The unit was visited by General Eisenhower, while in the final phases of preparation for the invasion. John Cooper was killed in action in Belgium during the liberation of Europe. Mr. King suggested there be a special day to honor all veterans. His local Congressman Edward Rees supported this. President Eisenhower who was raised in Abiline, Kansas, and who had visited the 137th Infantry Regiment in England prior to the Normandy Invasion, signed the Act proclaiming November 11 as Veterans day (Public Law 380 of the 83rd Congress). Mr. Raymond Weeks can be recognized as a contributor to the efforts, certainly for organizing the first parade for Veterans Day. The official sources from the Congressional Resolution 159, should be added to your Wikipedia references and Mr. Alvin J. King from Emporia, Kansas should be added with Congressman Rees for their efforts and success in making this a special day to honor all veterans. source is: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/108/hconres159/text/ih

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Talk:Veterans_Day/Archive_1&oldid=1137295947"