Veteran Holidays
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ARMED FORCES DAY
Observed on the third Saturday, of May – honors those serving.
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MEMORIAL DAY
Observed on the last Monday, of May – honors those who died in service.
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POW/MIA DAY
Observed on the third Friday of September – honors our Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
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VETERANS DAY
Observed on November 11 – honors all who served.
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The American Legion Birthday – March 15, 1919
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Post 66 Birthday – September 29, 1919
Armed Forces Day pays special tribute to all who are actively serving America around the globe in the uniformed branches of the United States military. The United States has celebrated Armed Forces Day on the third Saturday in May since 1950. When the separate departments for each military service branch were placed under the new Department of Defense in the late 1940s, it was decided that there should be one all-inclusive service day to recognize each uniformed branch and those who serve in it.
Armed Forces Day Video
President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
Blue Star Service Banners Fact Sheet
From The American Legion website:
“The Blue Star Service Banner was designed and patented in 1917 by World War I Army Capt. Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry. Queisser’s two sons served on the front line. His banner quickly became the unofficial symbol for parents with a child in active military service.
On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio congressman read the following into the Congressional Record: “The mayor of Cleveland, the Chamber of Commerce and the governor of Ohio have adopted this service flag. The world should know of those who give so much for liberty. The dearest thing in all the world to a father and mother: their children.” Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were established during World War I and remain active today.
During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on the manufacture of the flag, as well as guidelines indicating when the service flag could be flown and by whom. Restrictions were also passed on who can wear the service lapel. The Department of Defense authorized the service flag and service lapel on Dec. 1, 1967, with DoD Directive 1348.1, which implemented an act of Congress (U.S. Code 179-182). The Blue Star Service Banner is an 8.5-by-14-inch white field with one or more blue stars sewn onto a red banner. The size varies but should be in proportion to the U.S. flag. Today, families display these banners when they have a loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The blue star represents one family member serving, and a banner can have up to five stars. If the individual is killed or dies, a smaller golden star is placed over it. Gold stars are placed above the blue stars or to the top right of the flag, in the event a flag represents multiple servicemembers.
Blue Star Service Banners were widely used during both world wars, but were not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with the same enthusiasm. The American Legion rekindled that spirit of pride in our military men and women following September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by providing banners to military families across the nation.”
Blue Star Banner History * Blue Star Salute Planning Guide
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
US Wars Ranked by Combat Deaths
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the men and women who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
US Wars Ranked by Combat Deaths
Gold Star Families
Gold Star Families are those families who have had a family member make the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the armed forces of the United States.
- Gold Star Mother’s day is observed on the last Sunday in September.
- Gold Star Wives of America was formed during WWII with the help of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
- The Gold Star Lapel Pin was established in August 1947.
Gold Star Families Memorial Monument dedicated in California located in Hayward, CA.
Americans and as Legionnaires, all across the United States often pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war (POW), as well as those who are missing in action (MIA), and their families. During the opening of our Legion meetings, a moment of silence is offered as the POW/MIA chair cover is presented.
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is annually observed in the United States on the third Friday of September. The 2018 National POW/MIA Recognition Day is Friday, September 21.
Those who have served, and those currently serving in the uniformed services of the United States, are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured and may still be enduring the agonies of pain, deprivation, and imprisonment.
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel from past conflicts to their families and the nation. Within this mission, we search for missing personnel from World War II (WWII), the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars, and other recent conflicts. Our research and operational missions include coordination with hundreds of countries and municipalities around the world.
Missing Man Table Video – Department of Defense Video
Veterans Day, November 11, 2018, was the 100th. Anniversary of the end of World War One (WW1).
Veterans Day is a national holiday that honors all who served in the United States Military.
On Veterans Day, Post 66 places a small flag on the grave of each veteran in the three cemeteries in the city of San Luis Obispo.
You are invited to give us a hand placing and taking down the flags.
Veterans: Thank You for Everything Video
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