Veteran's Day is November 11th. Is it nothing but an excuse for a big sale?!
By dragon54u
@dragon54u (31634)
United States
November 8, 2009 8:20pm CST
I remember when I was a child that Veteran's day was a big deal. My grandfather served in WWI in one of the most horrific battles of the century and he had nightmares the rest of his life. Such a gentle, loving soul to be put through that hell. He helped insure that I would grow up with freedom. The family had quite a celebration on Veteran's Day!
Now it seems to be just an excuse for stores to make money. This, in my mind, is demeaning to our noble soldiers. I will NOT be shopping ANY Veteran's Day sales!! I haven't done so for years because of stores using our Veteran's for their own profit and I never will.
What about you? Are you shopping the sales on Veteran's day or are you avoiding them in protest? I know times are tough but if we don't stick to our principles we lose a lot more than money.
3 people like this
7 responses
@ElicBxn (63638)
• United States
9 Nov 09
We didn't ever do much for Veteran's day, but I don't think its a good excuse for a sale, but everything is an excuse these days.
For me, its to acknowledge the 12th anniversary of Scamp's rescue.
12 years ago, on Veteran's day, my friend Elaine rescued a cold, noisy black kitten from outside her apartment.
I posted about it last year
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Nov 09
Veteran's Day, for me, is a solemn remembrance of those men and women who gave their lives so that we could live freely, rescue kitties if we want, raise our children as we see fit and not be afraid of our liberties being restricted. We owe these people at least a moment of contemplation one day a year.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
10 Nov 09
But there were many who did. For you. It's worth it, in remembering their sacrifice.
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
9 Nov 09
We don't have Veteran's Day here, but I agree with what you said. There should not be any form of excuse just to make money. In fact, there should be museum visits to remember the sacrifices fore-fathers made during the war and stuff like that. It should be an honorable day, not a money-making day.
1 person likes this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
13 Nov 09
I mean there is no official day here, but we do it in our own private time. There are monuments for this and there are always visitors and locals coming to honor them. I do honor them in my own time and you are right; one day is just not enough, especially with all the sales going around..
@deebomb (15304)
• United States
9 Nov 09
My dad was also a WWII veteran and my son spent 20 years in the military and is a veteran also. I also have an Uncle brothers and cousins that are veterans. More attention should be given to all veterans and store should be closed not just government offices.
When I was a kid our family always had a big picnic but now the family is scattered so far that we don't have them any more.
It seems that every business has a big sale for just about every holiday that come along. Every stores is only closed for Christmas these days.
There will be a parade in our capital city with marching bands, military equipment and marching installations from around the state. The news paper estimated over 11,000 will attend.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Nov 09
I wish I could see my city's parade! There's no place to park and it's a half mile to the main street, I can't walk that far. 
I appreciate your family's sacrifice to preserve my rights and freedom. I will be thinking of them and praying for them on Veteran's Day.
I appreciate your family's sacrifice to preserve my rights and freedom. I will be thinking of them and praying for them on Veteran's Day.1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
9 Nov 09
well, only in the US has Veteran's day (or Rememberance day as its known here in Canada) hit the stores for great sales. Here in Canada, its a very solomn day where we honour all that have fought to make us free throughout the 20th century (from ww1 to Korea) (as well as the Canadians that fought in Vietnam!)
as for sales on that day, i just dont get the connection.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Nov 09
Our retailers have always grabbed any opportunity for a "sale" and I think it is an insult to Veterans everywhere. I much prefer the way you observe it--it should be a solemn day full of respect.
@revellanotvanella (4033)
• United States
9 Nov 09
A Rather big sale its become I think. I usually do the blockbuster sale at JC Penneys which was just the other day and I save BIG but no I don't look forward to veterans day and its not that big a deal to me. I think its just another excuse too and I think car dealerships really take advantage of it too. Just desensitizes us some more to the horrific damages of war--spend spend spend
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Nov 09
You're right, they rob the holiday of any meaning and I deeply resent it. They trivialize the sacrifices made by brave men and women who protect us.
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
9 Nov 09
My husband and I will be going to Apple Bees they have a free lunch or dinner for Veterans. My husband was in the military. We also go to visit his dad and uncle at the cemetary because they were in the military as well.
I never shop on Veteran's Day because I feel the same way you do. I do not feel that the holidays should be used as an excuse to have a sale. I know that K-mart is opened on Thanksgiving Day which I feel is terrible. Don't these retailers realize that holidays are for visiting family, not making money.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
10 Nov 09
Please tell your husband that I appreciate his service!
No, KMart and other stores don't care about families, they care about money. We enable them with our shopping habits. You and I are only two people but if even one out of every hundred people refused to shop on Veteran's Day they would get the message. It is disgusting to me that they are making money from our brave veterans' sacrifices.
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
9 Nov 09
Dragon-
My husband is a Vet, my father is, and we have many in our family that are Vets. We also have friends and family currently serving in the Armed Forces. We honor them on the 11th. My husband does have to work that day as he works at a hospital which doens't close down for any holiday, but we shall be honoring him that morning for breakfast.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
9 Nov 09
I'm glad to know there are still people who honor our Veterans. If not for them, our lives would be very, very different and not in a good way. I hope your service members know that most of us truly appreciate their service.
