What comes to your mind this Memorial Day?

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I have always been confused by why the US has multiple holidays to remember vets from various wars. Seems like having Remembrance day several times a year.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@PicturesOfABetterTomorrow Veterans Day is to honor veterans of wars (including the living). Memorial Day is to honor those who died in wars.

Each holiday was started for a more specific reason. Veterans Day was originally Armistice Day, and it was a celebration of the end of World War One. Memorial Day was originally to honor those who died in the American Civil War (on both sides.) Each holiday has "expanded" over time.

PicturesOfABetterTomorrow · 41-45, M

@DrWatson Thank you for the explanation. That makes more sense. In Canada and the commonwealth they just add the tally on Remembrance day/Armistice day. So it always seemed odd without the context.