How Are YOU Celebrating Veterans Day?
Have you thanked a Veteran today? Most people probably haven't. It's one of those holidays that for many people just passes by as a day off work or school (often not even on the actual holiday), where they look forward to relaxing, shopping, or catching up on chores.
I guess I have a little problem with holidays. We have all these Federal holidays in this country, and most of them have become pretty meaningless to the general public. When we go to apply for a job, we're always interested in how many holidays we get -- not because we want to make sure that we can appropriately celebrate those holidays, but rather to ensure that we are getting a reasonable amount of time off!
Let's look at the 2006 Federal holidays, as published by the Office of Personnel Management...
New Year's Day. Really there is no reason to celebrate this holiday, other than for those recovering from a late night out on New Year's Eve. But in 2006, that was a moot point anyway. New Year's Day fell on a Sunday. The Federal Government recognized New Year's Day with a day off on January 2nd instead. Hmmm.... how was it that we were celebrating the New Year on January 2nd? Oh yes, more football games. Definitely a reason for a day off!
Martin Luther King's Birthday. It is certainly important to recognize all the hard work and sacrifices made by those in the civil rights movement. In some big cities, this has become a day of volunteering. I think that is a great way to celebrate King's birthday. But what are the rest of us doing?
Washington's Birthday. Well this is one that was definitely celebrated back in Alexandria, Virginia where we used to live. There is always a big parade, and Mount Vernon is open to the public for free. But I haven't seen much in the way of celebrations honoring our first President in most other areas.
Memorial Day. This is an important holiday. We should always remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. These men and women should be honored! But how are we doing that? But flocking to the beach? Having cookouts? Hanging out at the pool on the first open weekend of the season? How many people are visiting our military cemeteries? How many people are reaching out to military widows and their children?
Independence Day. There is no doubt that we celebrate this holiday in force every year.
Labor Day. This is a holiday a lot of people don't understand. From the Department of Labor website, "It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." And how do we celebrate it? Pretty much like Memorial Day! The beach, the pool, and cookouts. But at least in honor of American workers, most are given the day off of work.
Columbus Day. Okay, I just don't get why we need this holiday. Yes, I am grateful that Columbus arrived in America. But how in the world are we supposed to celebrate it? Build little replicas of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria and race them across a lake? Really this holiday has become nothing more than an excuse for a day off work.
Veterans Day. Another holiday that should be celebrated! So many men and women have given years of their lives in service to our country. They deserve to be thanked! Are we thanking them? Are we visiting Veterans Administration hospitals to volunteer? No. Most of us are just taking the day off to kick around the house.
Thanksgiving Day. This is another of the holidays that most Americans celebrate. But please remember. Food and family are wonderful. Remembering to give thanks is even better.
Christmas Day. Again, another day that most Americans celebrate. But like Thanksgiving, please remember that while food, family, gifts and Santa are great, the holiday is about the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, what are you going to do to celebrate Veterans Day? I know it is too late to really plan anything. But please at least make a point to call and thank a veteran.
I've already called my dad to thank him for his service. (Dad was a Sea-Bee in Korea.) And I've spent all week talking with the Marines at Toys for Tots to coordinate a collection for their cause in honor of Matthew's first birthday next month.
If you don't even know of a veteran you can call to thank, please visit Operation Dear Abby. There you can send your thanks electronically to one of our brave men and women serving today.
I guess I have a little problem with holidays. We have all these Federal holidays in this country, and most of them have become pretty meaningless to the general public. When we go to apply for a job, we're always interested in how many holidays we get -- not because we want to make sure that we can appropriately celebrate those holidays, but rather to ensure that we are getting a reasonable amount of time off!
Let's look at the 2006 Federal holidays, as published by the Office of Personnel Management...
New Year's Day. Really there is no reason to celebrate this holiday, other than for those recovering from a late night out on New Year's Eve. But in 2006, that was a moot point anyway. New Year's Day fell on a Sunday. The Federal Government recognized New Year's Day with a day off on January 2nd instead. Hmmm.... how was it that we were celebrating the New Year on January 2nd? Oh yes, more football games. Definitely a reason for a day off!
Martin Luther King's Birthday. It is certainly important to recognize all the hard work and sacrifices made by those in the civil rights movement. In some big cities, this has become a day of volunteering. I think that is a great way to celebrate King's birthday. But what are the rest of us doing?
Washington's Birthday. Well this is one that was definitely celebrated back in Alexandria, Virginia where we used to live. There is always a big parade, and Mount Vernon is open to the public for free. But I haven't seen much in the way of celebrations honoring our first President in most other areas.
Memorial Day. This is an important holiday. We should always remember those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom. These men and women should be honored! But how are we doing that? But flocking to the beach? Having cookouts? Hanging out at the pool on the first open weekend of the season? How many people are visiting our military cemeteries? How many people are reaching out to military widows and their children?
Independence Day. There is no doubt that we celebrate this holiday in force every year.
Labor Day. This is a holiday a lot of people don't understand. From the Department of Labor website, "It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." And how do we celebrate it? Pretty much like Memorial Day! The beach, the pool, and cookouts. But at least in honor of American workers, most are given the day off of work.
Columbus Day. Okay, I just don't get why we need this holiday. Yes, I am grateful that Columbus arrived in America. But how in the world are we supposed to celebrate it? Build little replicas of the Nina, Pinta, and Santa Maria and race them across a lake? Really this holiday has become nothing more than an excuse for a day off work.
Veterans Day. Another holiday that should be celebrated! So many men and women have given years of their lives in service to our country. They deserve to be thanked! Are we thanking them? Are we visiting Veterans Administration hospitals to volunteer? No. Most of us are just taking the day off to kick around the house.
Thanksgiving Day. This is another of the holidays that most Americans celebrate. But please remember. Food and family are wonderful. Remembering to give thanks is even better.
Christmas Day. Again, another day that most Americans celebrate. But like Thanksgiving, please remember that while food, family, gifts and Santa are great, the holiday is about the birth of Jesus Christ.
So, what are you going to do to celebrate Veterans Day? I know it is too late to really plan anything. But please at least make a point to call and thank a veteran.
I've already called my dad to thank him for his service. (Dad was a Sea-Bee in Korea.) And I've spent all week talking with the Marines at Toys for Tots to coordinate a collection for their cause in honor of Matthew's first birthday next month.
If you don't even know of a veteran you can call to thank, please visit Operation Dear Abby. There you can send your thanks electronically to one of our brave men and women serving today.
posted by Susan | 7:36 AM
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