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Veterans Day is tomorrow, Thursday, November 11, 2021.

Dear fellow veterans, I hope you have a Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for your service!

For veterans, military families, and friends of veterans, here are some resources that discuss Veterans Day history:

History of Veterans Day

Veterans Day Facts

Veterans Day 2021

Veterans Day 2021 Events

U.S. Department of Defense "5 Facts to Know About Veterans Day"

Some discounts for veterans can be found here:

USA Today

American Legion 2021 Veterans Day Deals

The Military Wallet 2021 Veterans Day Free Meals & Discounts

U.S. Veterans Magazine Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts

National Park Service Veterans Day

INCLUSIVITY:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Commemorates Veterans Day with Special Naturalization Ceremonies

Center for Minority Veterans

Center for Women Veterans

VHA LGBTQ+ Health Program

NOTE: Because NOT ALL VETERANS HAVE PTSD, and because NOT ALL VETERANS HAVE SERVED IN COMBAT (there are some veterans who have PTS without the disorder, and there are some veterans who have PTSD for non-combat reasons, such as military sexual trauma [MST]), this is placed here instead of in the PTSD section for combat, to respect inclusivity of both veterans and their families and loved ones.

FEEL FREE TO RESPOND, THANK A VETERAN or REPRESENT A VETERAN HERE, SHARE ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS AND EVENTS FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES, ETC. Later, in the comments, I will add additional resources for veterans and military families. But feel free to share what you know and to start interesting Veterans Day conversations here - whether you're a veteran, a friend of a veteran, a military spouse or partner, or a military service person.

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Semper Fi, and Happy Birthday, Marines! As a fellow Marine veteran, I want to also wish all fellow Marines a Happy USMC Birthday - 10NOV21 !

Marines.mil:

ARLINGTON, Va. --
On November 10, 2021, Marines across the globe will recognize and acknowledge 246 years of service to their country, the sacrifices made to defend democracy, and the Marine Corps’ enduring legacy as America’s premier fighting force.

The Marine Corps’ annual tradition celebrates the establishment of the organization on November 10, 1775, by the Second Continental Congress. Following their role in the American Revolution, the Marines were abolished following the Treaty of Paris in April 1783. Then, on July 11, 1798, Congress ordered the creation of the Marine Corps and directed that it be available for service under the Secretary of the Navy.

The birthday, also known as Marine Corps Day, was originally celebrated on July 11 from 1799 until 1921 when Major General Lejeune issued an order to formalize the tradition and establish the official day to honor the birthday of the Marine Corps. The ceremony traditionally includes a guest of honor, a reading of Gen. Lejeune’s birthday message and the current Commandant’s message, recognition of the oldest and youngest Marine present, and a cake cutting.

While the first cake ceremony is unknown, the first on record took place at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C., in 1937. Major General Thomas Holcomb, the Commandant, presided at an open house for Marine Corps officers, including the cutting of a huge cake in the shape of Tun Tavern, the birthplace of the Corps.

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Lest we forget.

We shall remember them.

[MuseumGhost]

Husband and I will be sporting our poppies on our lapels tomorrow. I love that they do this in Canada.

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Here's a listing of all the BIRTHDAYS for all the services:

National Guard
December 13, 1636

Army
June 14, 1775

Navy
October 13, 1775

Marine Corps
November 10, 1775

Coast Guard
August 4, 1790

Air Force
September 18, 1947

Space Force
December 20, 2019

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And for the Merchant Marines, here's more information:

Veterans Breakfast Club

American Merchant Marine

ABC 13 News "WWII Merchant Mariner sailors to get long-deserved recognition as combat veterans"

Library of Congress "Experiencing War"

Military.com "Everything You Need to Know About the Merchant Marine"

The Los Angeles Times "After 40 Years, Merchant Marines Win Veteran Status : Finally--a ‘Flag and a Headstone’"

The Defense Department, yielding to pressure from a federal court ruling, responded earlier this month to four decades of appeals from World War II oceangoing merchant marines and granted them veterans’ status.

Under the decision, Iske and thousands of others like him who fought in World War II--and saw their fellow merchant sailors die in it at a higher rate than either Army or Navy forces--are now eligible for full veterans’ benefits.

Happy Veterans Day to all of our Merchant Marines! Thank you for your much-needed services in the past as well!

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Did you know - that there were many groups approved for veteran status in the past? If you served in one of these groups, thank you for your service! Happy Veterans Day!

These groups were...

approved for Veteran status under Public Law (PL) 95-202, Section 401, the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977

Quartermaster Corps Keswick Crew on Corregidor, World War II - Approved 02/07/1984

U.S. Civilians of the American Field Service (AFS) Who Served Overseas Operationally in World War I (WWI) During the Period 08/31/1917 to 01/01/1918 - Approved 08/30/1990

U.S. Civilians of the AFS Who Served Overseas Under U.S. Armies and U.S. Army Groups in World War II (WWII) During the Period 12/07/1941 through 05/08/1945 - Approved 08/30/1990

U.S. Civilian Volunteers Who Actively Participated in the Defense of Bataan - Approved 02/07/1984

U.S. Merchant Seamen Who Served on Blockships in Support of Operation Mulberry - Approved 10/18/1985

Civilian Personnel Assigned to the Secret Intelligence Element of the OSS - Approved 12/27/1982

Engineer Field Clerks in WWI - Approved 08/31/1979

Quartermaster Corps Female Clerical Employees Serving With the AEF - Approved 01/22/1981

Reconstruction Aides and Dietitians in WWI - Approved 07/06/1981

Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators in WWI - Approved 05/15/1979

Women's Army Auxiliary Corps - Approved 03/18/1980

Male Civilian Ferry Pilots - Approved 07/17/1981

U.S. Civilian Employees of American Airlines Who Served Overseas as a Result of American Airlines' contract with the Air Transport Command During the Period 12/14/1941 through 08/14/1945 - Approved 10/05/1990

Women's Air Forces Service Pilots - Approved 11/23/1977

Civilian Employees, PNAB, Who Actively Participated in the Defense of Wake Island - Approved 01/22/1981

Guam Combat Patrol - Approved 05/10/1983

Wake Island Defenders From Guam - Approved 04/07/1982

U.S. Merchant Seamen Who Served in Active Oceangoing Service from 12/07/1941 to 08/15/1945 - Approved 01/19/1988

Civil Service Crew members Aboard U.S. Army Transport Service and Naval Transportation Service Vessels in Oceangoing Service - Approved 01/19/1988