Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed annually in the United States on December 7. The date commemorates the surprise Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on December 7, 1941, a "date which will live in infamy" that led to the United States' entry into World War II.  The day honors the 2,403 American service members and civilians who were killed in the attack, as well as the 1,178 others who were wounded.

Veterans Day is an annual U.S. public holiday observed on November 11 to honor those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. It was originally called Armistice Day to commemorate the end of World War I, with the name changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to include all veterans.

Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May: Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans, while the older Memorial Day, which grew out of Civil War commemorations, specifically honors those who have died while in military service.  Another military holiday that also occurs in May, Armed Forces Day, honors those currently serving in the U.S. military. Additionally, Women Veterans Day is recognized by a growing number of U.S. states that specifically honor women who have served in the U.S. military.

Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps! The corps' official birthday is November 10, 1775, and it celebrates its legacy of honor, courage, and commitment on that date each year. This date honors the founding of the Continental Marines by the Second Continental Congress.

Every year on September 11th, our nation pauses to honor the lives lost in the terrorist attacks of 2001 and to recognize the extraordinary courage of first responders, service members, and everyday heroes who rose to meet that tragic moment. Known as Patriot Day, this solemn day of remembrance serves as a reminder of both the fragility and resilience of the American spirit.
In 2009, Patriot Day was also designated as the National Day of Service and Remembrance. This added purpose transforms grief into action, encouraging Americans to come together in acts of kindness, unity, and volunteerism. By doing so, we pay tribute to the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the countless families and communities forever changed.
The Meaning of Patriot DayPatriot Day is not simply about remembering what was lost—it’s about reflecting on what was found in the days and weeks that followed: courage, unity, and an unwavering sense of community. Flags across the country are flown at half-staff, moments of silence are observed, and stories of resilience are shared. This collective act of remembrance helps ensure that future generations understand the significance of 9/11 and the importance of standing together.
The National Day of Service and RemembranceWhat makes this day unique is its call to action. By turning remembrance into service, Americans honor the spirit of those we lost. Across the nation, people engage in volunteer projects—supporting veterans, helping neighbors in need, donating blood, mentoring youth, cleaning up communities, and countless other acts of service. These efforts not only strengthen local communities but also carry forward the message that even in the darkest times, light can be found through compassion and unity.
How You Can Participate

• Observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
• Volunteer with a local nonprofit or community service project.
• Support first responders and veterans by writing thank-you notes or contributing to organizations that serve them.
• Share stories and lessons of 9/11 with younger generations to ensure its meaning is never forgotten.
• Perform simple acts of kindness—check in on a neighbor, donate food, or lend a hand to someone in need.

A Legacy of UnityWhile September 11th will forever be a day marked by loss, it is also a day defined by resilience and compassion. Patriot Day and the National Day of Service and Remembrance remind us that we can honor the past by how we live today—through service, unity, and kindness.
As we reflect this year, let us carry forward the spirit of those who inspired us in 2001 and commit to building stronger, more compassionate communities every day.

Purple Heart Day is observed annually on August 7th to honor and remember the brave men and women of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action. It's a day to reflect on their sacrifices and express gratitude for their dedication to protecting our freedoms. The Purple Heart medal, originally established in 1782 by George Washington, is the oldest military decoration in continuous use in the United States. 

The Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association Foundation is proud to present a 47-minute documentary film entitled “Truths and Myths About the Vietnam War” with introduction by actor Sam Elliott. The purpose of the film is to honor those who served in the Vietnam War by providing factual information to
address the decades of misinformation that have presented a skewed historical perspective of the war – a very important and long overdue film that presents the information and lessons learned that most Vietnam War veterans want reported about the war. Some of the truth we now know comes from Vietcong and North
Vietnamese archives and other disclosures made available over the last 50 years since the war ended.
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Rose Duval

​Have you ever felt the need to be a part of a group or organization that gave you a sense of purpose and allowed you to offer a modicum of peace and solace? For me that is what the Arlington Ladies offer each time they attend a burial ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. The Arlington Ladies began in 1948 when the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Hoyt Vandenberg, and his wife, Gladys, routinely attended funeral
services at the cemetery and noticed that some services had only a military chaplain present. The Vandenberg’s believed that a member of the Air Force family should also attend, and Mrs. Vandenberg asked her friends to start attending services. She ultimately formed a group from the Officer's Wives Club. In 1973, General Creighton Abrams' wife, Julia, founded the Army's version of the group. In 1985, the Navy created a group, and in 2006 the Coast Guard followed suit. The Marines do not officially have a
group, as they send a representative of the Marine Commandant to every funeral.

Today, the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coast Guard all have Arlington Ladies who perform similar volunteer duties, attending funeral services for active-duty service members and veterans. The criteria for becoming an Arlington Lady is different for each military service, but each Lady has some connection to the respective service, generally as a current or former military member or as a spouse of a military member. The Ladies
are an official part of the funeral service, representing the military service's chief of staff
or equivalent.

My desire to be a part of this group has been a long-time goal of mine. The process was long, but all good things are worth the wait. For now, I am an Army Arlington Lady. My journey began when I met with the Chairperson of the Army Arlington Ladies. From there I met with three (3) other Army Arlington Ladies. This took over six months due to coordinating our schedules and the holidays. In the end the Chairperson, with input from the other ladies, decided to sponsor me into the organization. From there I shadowed 3 different ladies and then I go solo while being evaluated by the Chairperson. I will be on the substitution list for a year before I am given a permanent day. But until then I am more than happy to fill in wherever I am needed.

Having been on the receiving end of the Arlington Ladies condolence card, I understand the impact and meaning of their presence. I only hope I can offer the same warmth and sincerity I received on the day Scott was laid to rest in Section 60.  While Arlington National Cemetery has the Arlington Ladies, there is no reason that every cemetery across our country can’t have a similar group of volunteers. Volunteers of Gold Star Mothers that carries on the tradition to ensure every veteran or service member who dies in service of our nation has their Arlington Lady present.

March 13th recognizes National K9 Veterans Day and the dedicated K9 units who've served since World War II. ​

A lot of things changed after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. We rationed oil, leather, and rubber. The military draft men into service. Women rolled up their sleeves and built war supplies.
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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery is a gravesite and national shrine for unknown soldiers from World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. Established originally by legislation, the body of an unidentified American soldier from World War I was buried in 1921. This was in accordance with an international movement to recognize those who gave their lives and identities, and perhaps were still
missing, on the battlefields of World War I, which saw combat and violence rise to levels never before imaginable. Each crypt also represents those unidentified or still missing from the from the wars they memorialize.

Specially selected and trained Sentinels, often referred to as Tomb Guards, protect the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier each day. They carry on the tradition of Americans who guarded the Unknowns in the past, including the posting of civilian guards in 1925, military guards in 1926, and 24-hour military guards, who have performed the duty perpetually since 1937.