What is the correct greeting for Memorial Day?

This weekend marks the unofficial start of summer, and summer vacation in the U.S. primarily because of the three-day weekend around Memorial Day on Monday. It’s one of our most patriotic holidays, and perhaps even more widely celebrated than the Fourth of July - commemorating our nation’s founding, and Veterans Day - commemorating the nation’s veterans.

Because both Memorial Day and Veterans Day honor those who have served the United States throughout our nation’s history, there’s some confusion about the key difference.

We observe Memorial Day to commemorate the men and women who lost their lives while wearing the uniform of our nation, either on the battlefield, or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. We recognize they made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation, and reflect on how we can support and safeguard the loved ones they left behind.

While we often wish each other “happy (fill-in-the-blank)” for most holidays, there’s no traditional greeting for Memorial Day given its solemnity. A more appropriate wish to others is to “honor Memorial Day.” In 2000, President Clinton passed a resolution asking all Americans to observe a “National Moment of Remembrance” at 3:00 pm each Memorial Day to “remember and reflect on the sacrifices made by so many to provide freedom for all.” Perhaps, in that vein, we should wish everyone “remember Memorial Day.”

Veterans Day, on the other hand, is set aside to thank and honor ALL who have served—in wartime or peacetime—regardless of whether they perished in battle, are retired, or currently serving. Veterans Day may get less attention than Memorial Day because it doesn’t form part of three-day weekend, and is always observed officially on November 11, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls.

If Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, Labor Day on the first Monday of September, marks the unofficial end, being the last three-day weekend until the holiday season. Labor Day honors working people, their contributions, achievements and sacrifices in pursuit of national prosperity and well-being. Fingers crossed more people will be back to work, laboring, by the time Labor Day rolls around this year.

But even that distinction is a little confusing for Democrat presidential hopeful Joe Biden

Just two weeks ago during a short TV interview on CBSN Pittsburgh, Biden was asked whether he thinks there will be a Vice President pick by Memorial Day, Biden said: "My guess is we probably will.

"I'm quite sure that would be the case because right now the convention is scheduled in August before Memorial Day."

.@JoeBiden asked if he will have VP pick by Memorial Day:

"My guess is we probably will...I'm quite sure that would be the case because right now the convention is scheduled in August before Memorial Day. [pause] Are you saying Memorial or Labor?"

Q: "I said Memorial Day." pic.twitter.com/fisV3dzhHL

— Sarah Dolan Schneider (@sarahedolan) April 21, 2020

After a short pause, Biden asked: "Are you saying Memorial or Labor?"

KDKA political editor Jon Delano confirmed he did in fact say Memorial Day, prompting Biden to correct his mistake.
"Oh. No, no, no, no... It won't be before Memorial Day. We're just getting the process underway,"

Riiiight. It must be noted, during the same interview, Biden referred to N95 masks as “N96” masks. And recently referred to the coronavirus as COVID-9 rather than COVID-19.

So this year, we hope all Americans will “remember Memorial Day.”

And we just hope Joe Biden will remember anything.

 FOUNDED BY PATRIOTS FOR PATRIOTS, WE'RE DETERMINED TO ENSURE THE SURVIVAL OF LIBERTY AND TRUE AMERICAN VALUES. AS A LIFESTYLE BRAND, NINE LINE SYMBOLIZES THE DISTRESS CALL ECHOED ON THE BATTLEFIELD TO PROTECT OUR NATION'S HEROES. WE AIM TO BE OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER AND START A CONVERSATION BETWEEN THOSE WHO SERVED AND THOSE WHO SUPPORT THEM. THROUGH FIERCE GRIT AND PROWESS, WE ARE UNWAVERING IN OUR MISSION TO BE RELENTLESSLY PATRIOTIC.