Those who live in USA or know about USA______do they remember all the men and women on 11th November?

[RTKangaMummy]

When we were in London last Monday an american woman asked DH what the flower was for?

ie his poppy and he told her and another man joined in and they explained about 1st and 2nd world wars and the wars since etc,

The point I am making is that she didn't know about it

SO is that just that woman or do they not remember on 11th November even though their soldiers were fighting in WWII

Does anybody know?

.

No, we remember them on Veteran's Day in May.

Oh oke doke thanks

So do americans wear a flower like our poppy on vetrans day

I know the poppy is from WW1 iyswim

Why is VD in May then? (learnin...)

She would have known what Veteran's Day was, b/c it is national holiday. But 'Remembrance Day', perhaps not.

When I first visited here, it was around Remembrance Day and we asked what the poppies were for. My mum bought some, b/c her father fought for the Allies from 1942-1945 in Europe, and a wreath for his brother, Oscar, who died in POW camp in Poland.

No, no poppies. What they'll usually do is wear a little American flag pin.

Soldiers from the Revloution, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, the Korean and Vietnamese Conflicts and the Gulf War are honoured.

I feel every American should visit Arlington National Cemetary and see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

expatinscotland

Thanks for the info

She was very interested in them and friendly

I just wondered why she didn't already know iyswim

So now I know about our friends from over the pond

Thanks

Isn't MN deffo brill?

But this says Veterans' Day is 11 Nov although it was May when the name was changed from Armisitce Day to Veterans' Day.

Does it vary from state to state?

Sorry, I got confused w/Memorial Day, which is in May!

Most places don't let you off work for Veteran's Day.

Still no poppies, though.

As of 6 years ago when I left the US...

Veterans Day - honoring those who served - is 11 Nov and wasn't a holiday in all states.

Memorial day - honoring those who dies - is in May and was a national holiday.

No poppies for either day though.

I think the poppies are a British thing.

Anyone know where that came from?

iirc the poppies are from WW1 from the trenches and the front cos they grew wild there

here are the details

In Flanders' Fields
John McCrae, 1915

In Flanders' fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place: and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders' fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high,
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders' Fields.

2nd world ward ended in May - is that why Veteran's Day is May?

There are some services & small parades in the US on Rememberance day but, as others have said, the main day to remember those who fought/ died is Memorial Day at the end of May. Memorial day is a bank holiday and is also seen by many as the start of summer, so lots of big family gatherings and barbecues. Veteran's Day (Nov 11th) is just a normal work day to most in the States.

No poppies on either day. I miss them.

I really think most people here don't think of either Veteran's Day (tomorrow) or Memorial Day (last Monday in May) as what their original intent is. V-Day hardly gets a mention, and Memorial Day is more looked at like a kick-off to summer with the focus on barbecues and picnics, etc. I think even Independence Day is now mostly just an excuse for a day off and barbecues, drinking and fireworks to most people.

I haven't seen any poppies on sale this year

it seems to be a dwindling tradition

Interesting that no poppies in the US since the custom seems to here originated there. See this

Honestly if it wasn't on the news today, I wouldn't have known it was veterans day. I think it ranks with Columbus day and flag day. They're holidays, but no one really cares any more.

I suspect a lot of people feel funny about poppies with the UK being in a really ill advised war at the moment ...

Canadians do poppies, by the way, for Remembrance Day.