Tag: military

May 29th Memorial Day

May Holidays

We should never forget those who have fought and died for us so that we can remain free. We take it for granted here in the United States since freedom has been enjoyed for so long but it is challenged everyday and only those who rise to the occasion and protect us prevent it from disappearing. Memorial Day serves as a reminder of the sacrifice others have made for us. It came out of the American Civil War, beginning in 1865 as Decoration Day, where people decorated the graves of those who fell, It changed in 1882 to Memorial Day. It is always the last Monday of May, giving us a long weekend for probably the wrong reason.

How to celebrate – Remember those who passed to keep us free. Don’t take you freedom so lightly that you forget how it was obtained. Decorate the graves of the fallen.

Advertisement

May 20th Armed Forces Day

Unboxing the Bizarre, May Holidays

While the idea that we could live in peace without armed forces to protect us is probably a perfect setting, it is an unrealistic one as well. There will always be those that want to harm us, force us to live as they want us to live and do the things they want us to do. Armed Forces allow us to keep our freedom, and often help others to keep their freedoms as well. We celebrate the Army here in the United States, formed in 1775, The Air Force formed in 1947. The Navy formed in 1775 as well as the Marines, the Coast Guard launched in 1790 and our most recent military force, Space Force created in 2019. We celebrate today every third Saturday in may, originally created by Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson on August 31st, 1949 and by Presidential Proclamation under Harry Truman on May 20th, 1950.

How to celebrate – Thank a soldier for all they do. Read about the formation of all the different branches of military service. Become aware of the different armed forces functions.

November 10th USMC Day

November holidays

The Continental Marines were created by Congress in 1775 during the American Revolution. The idea was to give the Navy a landing force and provide rifle protection on board ships from the enemy and mutiny. Not only did it work then, it has worked ever since even when Congress tries to eliminate them due to expense. The Marines have served in ever war the US has been in, normally have been the first to arrive and are a feared force world wide. The few, the proud, the Marines.

How to celebrate – Read about the Marines history. Visit a marine base today to celebrate with them. Thank a Marine for their service.

May 21st Armed Forces Day

May Holidays

Louis Johnson, Sec. of Defense, created Armed Forces Day to celebrate all the branches of military service in America. He created in in 1949 just after World War 2 when the Air Force separated from the Army creating the US Air Force, Navy, Army, Marines and Coast Guard as separate branches of service. Each branch has elements of the other services among themselves making certain assignments easier to coordinate but each is also separate to allow independent thought and command.

How to celebrate – Thank anyone you see in any branch of service for what they do to protect us. Study the different branches of the services. Learn why all branches are separate.

February 8th Kite Flying Day

February holidays

You may wonder why today was chosen in the middle of winter. Well, remember that only half the world is in winter right now, the other half being in summer… so perhaps today was created for the southern hemisphere! Kites have been in use since the Chinese military developed them over 3,000 years ago. Back then, they were used to scare their enemies and probably worked pretty well, at least until kids got hold of them and made them a toy instead. And, of course, remember perhaps the most famous kite flyer of all, Benjamin Franklin and his shocking discovery.

How to celebrate – Go fly a kite. Make your own kite. If you don’t have any wind break out your giant fan!

November 11th Veterans Day

November holidays

World War 1 ended on November 11th, at 11:11 in the morning, 1918. In 1921, England, France and the United States each buried an unknown soldier to honor the date and in the US, Armistice Day was created to further honor those who paid the ultimate price. In 1954, President Eisenhower changed the meaning of the day to honor all those who served in every war America fought in. In an interesting quote by Churchill he said, “You have enemies. Good. That means you’ve stood up for something.”

How to celebrate – Thank any veteran you know or meet for their service. Visit the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Read about conflicts America has found itself involved in.

November 10th USMC Day

November holidays

The Continental Marines formed in 1775, November 10th, in order to protect the new formed Navy. Since Shipping was vital to American interests, the Marines became vital to American protection. Since then, the Marines have seen action in every war America has been in, and most military actions. Their motto, “Leave no man behind” is both an attitude of pride and a show of honor for comrades in arms.

How to celebrate – Visit a Marine Corp base where events are being celebrated. Thank a Marine for all they do. Read about the Marines history.

August 4th U.S. Coast Guard Day

August Holidays

The Coast Guard was formed with 10 Cutters on August 4th, 1790. Back then it was called the Revenue Cutter Service and it’s design was to collect revenue from ships coming into port and to protect the home waters of the then original 13 Colonies. In 1915 the name was changed to the U.S. Coast Guard which not only protected the United States home waters but began saving the lives of those in danger on the seas. With the formation of Homeland Security being formed on 2002 the Coast Guard has taken on even more duties and, of course, many more states to protect.

How to celebrate – Read about the Coast Guard history. Read about the convoy duties the Coast Guard had during World War 2. Visit a Coast Guard base. (If they will allow you on base.)

November 10th USMC Day

November holidays, Unboxing the Bizarre

The United States Marine Corp was formed on November 10th, 1775. Though the armed service have repeatedly tried to remove the Marine Corp over the years it has become one of the most proven military forces in American history. Officially the land force for the Navy, the Marines began their service aboard ships as sharpshooters and a policing force for the Navy. Over the years, as a part of the Navy, the Marines were the first to arrive on the scene since they were transported by the Navy but today they are much more than originally intended. The Few, the Proud, the Marines. Semper Fidelis, meaning always faithful.

How to celebrate – Learn about the Marines history. Thank any Marine you meet. Visit a Marine Corp base.

February 8th National Kite Flying Day

February holidays

This could be a wonderful day to go kite flying! Never mind the snow, or rain, it’s not important, make Ben proud and fly that kite! Remember to put a key on it so that if lightening strikes you can learn the same lesson he did! Mainly, don’t fly kites in electrical storms!

Kites have been in use since the Chinese military flew them some 3,000 years ago. I’m not exactly sure why they flew them but historical records show they did. It was probably to scare their enemies or maybe while their enemies were looking up admiring the kites the Chinese attacked on the ground.

Either way, kite flying has stuck around and brings hours and hours of fun, and a little frustration. Just remember if it happens to be snowing, or raining, you just have to run a little faster to get them started. (And I suppose keep them flying)

How to celebrate – Go pick out a really cool kite. Enter a kite combat competition. Make sure you are in a field with no overhanging wires