For WWI, I remember my grandfather telling us the story of his uncle and his cousin. They fought in the same unit and were captured near the end of the war. As the unit was being led away, the line was diverted right between the two men. The one taken by the Americans eventually made his way back to the family. The other, diverted to the "Rooshians", never was heard from again.

For WWII, my family has many stories of our brilliant Vincent K. So interested and curious about everything. He didn't want to fight, so became a medic. Killed in the Battle of the Bulge. My mother was 5 years behind him in school. Teachers saw her last name, asked about Vincent, and literally cried when she told them he was killed in the war. Mother's brother went on to technical school. A professor told him that in all his long career, he'd taught only two people he'd say were genius level. One was what today we'd call autistic. The other, was warm-hearted, funny, kind, and Vincent. Again, tears.

I don't doubt the world lost more than we'll ever know on those battlefields.

The US doesn't observe Remembrance Day. Our military commemorations are split in two. Our November 11 commemoration is Veterans Day, to honor and say thank you to all those who've served in the military at any time, no matter what their personal outcome was. Memorial Day, the last Monday of May, is for remembering those who died while serving.

So while Remembrance Day in Britain and Commonwealth countries is solemn in respect of those who lost their lives in the military, our Nov 11 Veterans Day has a difference focus and so isn't solemn at all.

I am grateful to not have anyone to remember on this day. My Italian great grandfather was held in a British internment camp for a while. He was treated well and released early.

I think of all the people whose lives are marred by war and conflict today. I marvel at the cruelty of the few who have the power to harm so many.

nickel, how sad.

Today would have been my Dad's 123 birthday. He enlisted during WWI but never was shipped out. The picture I have of him in his uniform is of a very solemn young man. All 5 of Mother's brothers served in the military. One was killed in a plane crash in WWII and one was a POW during the Korean war. I am thankful for all of those who have served in the past and will do so in the future. I am very thankful that both sons returned home after their military service.

I like "Remembrance Day" better than "Memorial Day". We need to remember, not just who wore a uniform on 'our side', but all of the dead on all sides and all of the lives forever damaged by WAR. Silence is appropriate for remembering. Outcry is appropriate for preventing 'more of the same'.

When I was a child, Veteran's Day was a big thing. EVERYONE bought paper poppies and wore them. If I hadn't noticed the calendar today, I would not have known it was Veteran's Day. It's been a long time since WWI - no veterans still alive, and to the younger adults of today, It's about how we thought of the Civil War when we were children.

I've always liked the idea of "The Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day or the Eleventh Month". Very symbolic for those who actually remember.

In all of the teachings, lessons, stories and memories from family members, friends, teachers and historians, I was taught that because of other's sacrifices, I am here today, able to say and do what I want, but that I should respect the sacrifices and losses, be thankful and remember the lessons taught and learned.

Not once was I ever taught or shown that because Uncle Bill or Grandma Peggy sacrificed and died before my time, that I had licence to behave without accountability or respect. I suppose others weren't taught, or don't have the understanding that there's a time and a place for everything, and not every subject or conversation is about THEM.

I laid my poppy down at the foot of the cenotaph yesterday, along with thousands of others who honoured, remembered, gave thanks, and even celebrated life yet to live. Not once did I hear a single argument, correction, or a lack of tolerance. May we all learn the lessons taught so many years ago, by the brave, the scared, and the better.

May we all learn the lessons taught so many years ago, by the brave, the scared, and the better.

Amen.

The Dutch have Remembrance of the Dead Day on May 4th, to honor and remember all civilian and military killed in war or peacekeeping operations anywhere in the world since the start of WWII. At 6 PM, the entire country stops to observe two minutes of silence. Public transit stops, cars pull over. On May 4th this year, we were having lunch with a Dutch friend visiting with his nephew, when the hour came and they shared the story with us. The following day, the country observes Liberation Day, signaling the county's liberation from WWII German occupation.

Americans seem incapable of such a tribute. Sad, but Americans commemorate the most solemn of days with sales.

In Australia, while we commemorate the 11th of November with two minutes’ silence at 11am, we give thanks for the service of veterans and remember the fallen on April 25th, which is ANZAC day. ANZAC stands for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps, and April 25 1915 is the day the ANZACs stormed the shores of Gallipoli in Turkey in what was ultimately a doomed effort to open the Dardanelles for Allied naval traffic.

Generally in most places there is a church service (often held in the open air) at dawn, when the first assault started, then later in the morning a parade of returned service people, followed by family members wearing the medals of deceased service people (those who earned the medals wear them on the left, those who didn’t wear them on the right), and often a band. They march to the local war memorial (few towns, even tiny ones,don’t have one) and a special service and wreath laying ceremony is held. Before the service ends with the playing of the Last Post, the second verse of a poem by Lawrence Binyon (For the Fallen) is read:

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."

It always makes me sad.

We Americans appear to commemorate ALL holidays, religious, patriotic or historical, with sales. It's a rather sad commentary on us as a people.

thank you for your thought provoking replies.

My apologies. I forgot that Remembrance Day was something that we in Canada do and Veterans Day was something that you in the U.S. do.

Either way I remember brave fallen on the day. I try to keep in mind to thank and honor those who do and did. I feels Joy when they return. bless them for keeping us safe.

My real concern for veterans who are returning home these days is PTSD. Those who have problems after going through the horrific turmoil of War and are haunted or feel out of Step In what was once their homes. Post-traumatic stress disorder is on the rise. It's not a burden they should have by themselves. we should all share in that burden because we all share in the freedom. I wish I had a better idea of how they really could be helped. I just say thank you when I see a veteran. It's not enough.

In my books all are welcome to answer the way they believe that they need to tell their story. Still the anger saddens me sometimes. Not that I think it should be crushed down but I wish there were a way to constructively converse with one another. I understand that it's not possible for everyone though. I hope my remarks don't offend anybody. They are merely wishful thinking on my part I know.

I remember my father who served in the Navy for 22 years. The ships he served on, mostly destroyers had to fight for many months at a time during the Vietnam war and back then there was very little, if any family contact available while they were gone. I agree that our servicemen returning from tour or retiring don’t get treated the way they should or even the way they were promised they would.

My Dad was a WW1 veteran. He trained at Fort Pike, Arkansas and served in Central France. When he returned, he was "shell shocked". When strolling in the woods with my Mom (to be), if a twig underfoot snapped, he'd instantly freeze and listen. Foot soldiers developed a fear of land mines and ambushes. The Medics ran out of morphine and surgeries reverted to the conditions of the Civil War. Due to viewing these barbaric surgeries, for the remainder of his life, he would not enter a VA hospital even though he was entitled to their services.

While my sister and I was settling Mom's estate, we found his WW1 Uniform bearing a sharp shooter's lapel pin. The uniform was wool and unfortunately, the moths had found it also.

Yes, I remember my Dad and his service and the fact that he did not talk about it. It was a memory that he wished to bury.