"The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one's country "
General George S. Patton Jr.
Memorial Day Essay for 2024
1st Place Winner: Erin Carmody, 7th Grade, St. Margaret School, Narberth, PA
"How is Memorial Day different from Veterans Day"
There are many differences between Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The similarity with the two holidays is that they both have to deal with the Armed Forces and the types of sacrifices that the soldiers and their families have made. Our nation celebrates these days for different reasons: Memorial Day is for those who have died fighting for our freedom who may still be alive or dead. Memorial Day is for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our liberties and freedom. It is celebrated on the last Monday in May. Memorial Day used to be called Decoration Day when is was first introduced. People would go to the graves of the fallen soldiers and decorate them with flowers. It used to have a set date of May 30th but Congress passed a uniform Monday holiday act. Veterans Day is for the people, former soldiers, who fought for our freedom who may still be alive or dead. Veterans Day is celebrated on November11th. It is celebrated to honor the over 41 million people who have served in the United States Military. It was first celebrated on November 11th 1919 for the the first anniversary of World War I, called Armistice Day. It is celebrated on November 11th because World War I ended on the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" in 1918. By 1938, it was an official federal holiday. Twenty four years later its name was changed from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. In 1968, the Uniform Holiday Act changed the date to be on the 4th Monday of November, so federal workers could have a long weekend; this did not last long because in 1975 is was changed back to being celebrated on November 11th again. It's easy to write down words to describe the differences between these two holidays but I wanted to mention the effect on the family. My Grandfather, Eric served in the Army, his service would be honored on Veterans Day due to his past service. I never had the chance to meet him. He died in the line of duty in 1999 as a Philadelphia Fire Fighter. So, My family can feel the effects of the ultimate sacrifice everyday and I find comfort in the memories that were passed down to me and my sister from my mom. These men and women who have served our country deserve to be honored 365 days a year.