Veteran's Day Around the Community

Veteran's Day Around the Community
Veterans are considered living proof of the many sacrifices made by a distinct group of individuals to dedicate their existence to defend their nation and its’ way of life. Celebrations of Veterans Day worldwide occur in many ways and on different dates; however, in essence, it symbolizes the ideals and beliefs of their people towards their future. Although veterans may come from all walks of life and from all around the world, in principle, they represent exceptional human value to the world. Veterans Day is a special day for our WETSU community, so we dedicated one special blog. We will look at how different countries celebrate their version of Veterans Day to better understand the differences and similarities in the celebrations.
 

United States of America

Veterans Day is a public holiday in the United States which pays homage to the Armed Forces veterans. While many people confuse it with Memorial Day, it represents Nov. 11th, the signing of the Armistice between the Allied Powers and Germany. As such, it is one of the most celebrated days in America and an excellent opportunity for its citizens to show appreciation for their veterans. Activities range from military exhibitions, parades, charity concerts for veterans, professional sports games around the country, and the official ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
 

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the occasion is called Remembrance Day. It is celebrated starting in October and culminates on Nov. 11th at 11:00. The poppy flower symbolizes the events leading to this distinguished day. The Royal British Legion performs the distribution of poppies, and the poppy is seen everywhere, from soccer matches to kindergartens. The moment of silence is observed for two minutes at 11:00 on Nov. 11th.

Canada

Similarly, Canada celebrates Remembrance Day on November 11th of each year which is also a federal statutory holiday; not all provinces and territories are obliged to apply it, but most of them do. The name is not Veterans Day because the day is also dedicated to the fallen rather than just living warriors. Due to Canada’s ties with Great Britain as a Commonwealth country, it uses similar traditions. The wearing of a poppy is its trademark flower in remembrance of the heroes, and it is one way Canadians show their pride. Parades and other events are organized across the country, and tribute is paid in cenotaphs and war memorials in addition to the two minutes of silence at 1100 hours on the same date.

Albania

The veterans who fought against the Fascist forces in World War II celebrate Veterans Day on Jul. 20th in Albania. The day is marked by visiting Partisan Monuments and paying homage to the fallen from the last world war. The Veteran’s Association is responsible for organizing celebrations and events and is decentralized around the country. Veterans Day officially became an officially-recognized day when the law entered into effect in 2019; however, it is not a national holiday.
 

France

Armistice Day in France commemorates the treaty signed 80 km from Paris, in La Francport, near Compiegne. This memorable day for France is celebrated around the country with parades and wreath-laying at war memorials. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris, inaugurated on Armistice Day of 1920, is the culmination of the day where veterans, state officials, and citizens join in commemorating the day. Like the United Kingdom, France also observes two minutes of silence on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.

South Korea

The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans is in charge of the celebrations of Veterans Day in South Korea. Since 1956, on Oct. 8th, citizens and state officials have paid tribute to war memorials around the country. The sacrifices of veterans and liberation patriots culminate with an official state ceremony at the Seoul National Cemetery.

Nigeria

Nigeria celebrates its Armed Forces Remembrance Day on Jan. 15th, and it is instead dedicated to those who gave their lives for the country. The date relates to the year 1970 when Federal troops defeated the Biafran forces, which led to their surrender in the bloody civil war. The event is marked by many military and civilian activities such as parades, shooting competitions, religious services (Muslim and Christian), and the placing of wreaths. In the past, Remembrance Day was celebrated on Nov. 11th in Nigeria due to the country previously being part of the British Commonwealth, but this is no longer the case.

Germany

In Germany, the Sunday nearest to Nov. 16th is Volkstrauertag (meaning People’s Day of Mourning). The holiday dates back to 1883, while the current celebrations started in 1948 in West Germany. The day is officially marked at the Bundestag when the President and Chancellor of the Federal Republic address the German and foreign dignitaries. Following the speeches, the National Anthem is played, followed by the historic and sorrowful German song “Ich hatt’ einen Kameraden” (I had a Comrade). Around the country, veterans, who served in a formerly divided Germany and those who served after reunification, march on war memorials and lay wreaths for the fallen.

Indonesia

Indonesia, one of the countries with the largest population globally, adopted a National Veterans Day in 2014. Aug. 10th is marked annually and originates to the Indonesian War of Independence from the Netherlands in 1949 when the Indonesian National Revolutionaries launched an offensive. The day commemorates Surakarta’s recapture and honors all the people who fought for Indonesian Independence. 

The celebrations occur on Aug. 10th every year, and the Veterans’ Legion of Indonesia organizes most events. 

Conclusion

Regardless of the veterans’ origin, they represent their nation’s struggles and pride. While, in some cases, they may have served on opposing sides, they have also shared mutual respect, which paved the way for peace between their nations.
In 1905, the European philosopher, George Santayana, wrote the famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Therefore, it is the responsibility of current and future generations to remember the veterans. Remembering those who sacrificed their youth in battles, today’s youth can grow old in a peaceful and prosperous world.

As an airborne active and veteran community, you also have many reasons to be proud and share the responsibility to convey the importance of Veterans Day with current and future generations.

Photo Courtesy 82nd Airborne Division

  • 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers
    160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment - The Night Stalkers

    They were born out of a doomed operation, but their role has become irreplaceable. Their brothers in arms count on them in the most difficult of times while they remain the enemy’s worst nightmare. Battle-proven, always resilient, and lethal, they are highly respected among all the services and have often...

    Read More
  • Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam
    Operation Hump: 173rd’s Legendary Operation in Vietnam

      Soldiers take cover in a crater during the Vietnam War (Courtesy Photo/U.S. Army) Operation Hump is a legendary operation conducted jointly by Australian and American Airborne forces in Vietnam. The Friendly composition consisted of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, as well as a battalion from...

    Read More
  • The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret
    The Elusive Blue Air Assault Beret

    Blue Air Assault Berets: A Brief Chapter in Military History In the accounts of military tradition, berets have often stood out as symbols of honor and excellence, providing soldiers with an extra element of pride. They adorn soldiers' heads, signifying their commitment to a unique calling. While everyone in the...

    Read More
  • Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers
    Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers

    Wisdom from the Community: Top Five Pieces of Advice for New Paratroopers Hear ye, hear ye! Young paratroopers, we believe you deserve some valuable advice because you are at a stage where you need it to shape your military career. Because we care, we reached out to our community to...

    Read More
  • Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened
    Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened

    Operation Restore Democracy: The Landing that Never Happened In the early 1990s, Haiti's democracy was in constant crisis, and the island was being governed by unconstitutional leadership. The regimes kept changing but lacked national and international legitimacy, leading to U.N. sanctions. The United States created a multinational force (MNF) to...

    Read More
  • The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day
    The Evolution of Airborne Operations: From World War II to Present Day

    They called it "The Iron Rain." On the fateful day of June 6, 1944, as part of Operation Overlord, more than 13,000 paratroopers from the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions leaped into the night sky, their hearts racing, their minds set on one goal: the liberation of Europe from...

    Read More
  • Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq
    Boots On Ground: The 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq

    Transporting you from your favorite reading nook literally into the boots of the 82nd Airborne in the Battle for Iraq, Boots on the Ground by Karl Zinsmeister details the story of the frontline in a way that often isn't covered in the headline news story.  A frontline reporter traveling with the 82nd,...

    Read More
  • The Essentials: The C-17 Globemaster
    The Essentials: The C-17 Globemaster

    "The Essentials" Series is a monthly blog related to Airborne culture. We target fundamental topics such as Airborne equipment, culture, traditions, trivia, etc. While we have a semi-annual plan on the topics, we remain open to ideas from paratroopers like yourself. So, feel free to reach out and propose a...

    Read More
  • The Filthy Thirteen: The True Story of the Dirty Dozen
    The Filthy Thirteen: The True Story of the Dirty Dozen

    Tightly bound to one another in times of war, unforgiving in the way they approach a battle, and legendary in their bravery, the story is told of the US paratroopers of the US 101st Airborne Division in The Filthy Thirteen. Finding the courage to parachute behind enemy lines in the...

    Read More
  • Battle of Yongju: The Battle of the Apple Orchard
    Battle of Yongju: The Battle of the Apple Orchard

    Also known as the Battle of the Apple Orchard, the UN orchestrated the Battle of Yongju to fight back against the North Korean forces during the Korean war. In this offensive maneuver, the US 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team—or the US 187 RCT was called on to move in front...

    Read More
  • The Chosen Few: US Paratrooper's Battle in Eastern Afghanistan
    The Chosen Few: US Paratrooper's Battle in Eastern Afghanistan

    Bringing you to a more recent battle in a different part of the world, The Chosen Few by Gregg Zoroya is a detailed account of how a U.S. Paratroopers company fought in eastern Afghanistan in 2007. In hopes to go in on a single, swift mission in order to befriend the isolated...

    Read More
  • No Better Place To Day: The Battle For La Fiere Bridge
    No Better Place To Day: The Battle For La Fiere Bridge

    In this first-person narrative, Robert M. Murphy transports you right into the battle at La Fiere in the early morning hours of D-Day.  Taking you through a firsthand account of close-quarters combat in the industrial war of the 20th century, Murphy covers all sides of the war, from the paratroopers...

    Read More
  • Airborne Equipment: The Waco CG-4A Glider
    Airborne Equipment: The Waco CG-4A Glider

    During World War II, the U.S. Army Air Forces utilized military gliders as a method of delivery to battle. These one-time use, engineless aircraft were towed in pairs near to the front lines of battle, typically by a Douglas C-47 military transport aircraft, carrying troops or supplies to bolster advancing...

    Read More
  • Over 100 years of bravey: The 173rd Airborne Brigade
    Over 100 years of bravey: The 173rd Airborne Brigade

    The 173rd Airborne Brigade is a United States Army airborne infantry brigade formed on 12 June 1917 at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. It is one of the oldest airborne units in the United States Army and has a rich history of service and combat operations. A WORLD AT WAR During World...

    Read More
  • War: Through the eyes of the 173rd Airborne in Afghanistan
    War: Through the eyes of the 173rd Airborne in Afghanistan

    "Brotherhood has nothing to do with feelings; it has to do with how you define your relationship to others. It has to do with the rather profound decision to put the welfare of the group above your personal welfare. In such a system, feelings are meaningless. In such a system,...

    Read More
  • Into The Viper's Nest: The First Pivotal Battle Of The Afghan War
    Into The Viper's Nest: The First Pivotal Battle Of The Afghan War

    "I set out then to report this story from many points of view - American and British, from soldier to general, from diplomat to president. It seemed to me that only by getting behind the scenes could anyone pretend to understand what was happening. And it seemed far better to...

    Read More
  • You can Jump from a plane. How about jumping into a book?
    You can Jump from a plane. How about jumping into a book?

    As paratroopers, we know you've got discipline and are always on the lookout for that new book title that will leave a lasting impression. The global library has never been more diverse, yet you want something you can relate to. The good news is that we've reached out to our...

    Read More
Back to blog