Veteran Commemoration Days: Honoring Those Who Served in 2025

Introduction

Throughout the year, Americans pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Among these Veteran Commemoration Days, three stand out as particularly significant: Veterans Day, National Veterans and Military Families Month (often called Veterans Appreciation Month), and Memorial Day. Each commemorative period serves a distinct purpose in recognizing the sacrifices and contributions of military personnel. As we approach these important dates in 2025, understanding their historical significance and the events planned to honor veterans becomes increasingly relevant for citizens who wish to show their respect and gratitude.

The Historical Origins of Veterans Day

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. Originally known as Armistice Day, this commemoration began as a way to honor the end of World War I, which officially ceased when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919. However, fighting had stopped seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – November 11, 1918.

President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, with these words: “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory.” Initially, the celebration included parades and public gatherings, as well as a brief pause in business activities at 11 a.m.

In 1926, Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. November 11 became a national holiday in the United States in 1938.

After World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day underwent a significant transformation. In 1954, at the urging of veterans service organizations, Congress amended the 1938 act by striking out the word “Armistice” and inserting “Veterans.” With President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s signing of the legislation on June 1, 1954, November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars, not just those who served in World War I.

Veterans Day in 2025: National Events and Observances

In 2025, Veterans Day will fall on Tuesday, November 11, maintaining its traditional date rather than shifting to create a long weekend. The national observance will center around the following key events:

Arlington National Cemetery Ceremonies – The annual National Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, beginning precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, followed by a ceremony inside the Memorial Amphitheater.
Veterans Day Parade, New York City – The largest Veterans Day parade in the nation, New York City’s annual event typically features over 25,000 participants marching up Fifth Avenue, with special recognition of featured service branches that changes each year.
Presidential Proclamation – The sitting U.S. President will issue the annual Veterans Day Proclamation, which will be read at ceremonies throughout the country.
National Veterans Day Concert – The traditional concert held on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., honoring veterans with performances by prominent musicians and military bands.
Veterans Day Moment of Silence – A nationwide moment of silence observed at 11:11 a.m. in each time zone, reflecting the historical significance of the armistice time.

Local communities across America will also host ceremonies, parades, and educational programs to honor veterans. Many businesses continue the tradition of offering special discounts or free services to veterans as a token of appreciation for their service.

National Veterans and Military Families Month: A Month-Long Recognition

While less known than Veterans Day, National Veterans and Military Families Month (sometimes referred to as Veterans Appreciation Month) spans the entire month of November, providing an extended opportunity to recognize the sacrifices made by service members and their families.

Historical Development

The observance of an entire month dedicated to military families began more recently than Veterans Day. In 1996, President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation establishing National Veterans Awareness Week. By 2001, the U.S. Senate had unanimously passed Resolution 143, designating the week of November 11 through November 17 as “National Veterans Awareness Week.”

The concept expanded further when, in 2009, President Barack Obama proclaimed November as “Military Family Month,” acknowledging the tremendous sacrifices made by the families of service members. Subsequent administrations have continued this tradition, with each president issuing annual proclamations designating November as a time to honor veterans and military families.

2025 Veterans Appreciation Month Calendar Events

Throughout November 2025, numerous programs and initiatives will take place nationwide to honor veterans and their families:

Military Family Week (November 3-9, 2025) – Dedicated to recognizing the unique contributions and sacrifices of military families.
Veterans History Project Collection Drives – Libraries and historical societies nationwide will host collection events for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, gathering oral histories, photographs, and documents from veterans.
Hiring Our Heroes Job Fairs – Special employment events focused on connecting veterans and military spouses with career opportunities.
Veterans Small Business Week (November 3-7, 2025) – Highlighting veteran entrepreneurs and businesses owned by former service members.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day (November 7, 2025) – A day specifically honoring the contributions of military spouses.
Educational Outreach Programs – Schools across the nation will conduct educational programs about military service and veteran contributions to society.
VA Volunteer Week (November 17-23, 2025) – A focused week encouraging civilian volunteers to support VA hospitals and veteran service organizations.

These events provide civilians with numerous opportunities to express gratitude and support for the veteran community beyond just the Veterans Day holiday itself.

Memorial Day: Remembering the Fallen

Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May (May 26, 2025), serves a distinct purpose from Veterans Day. While Veterans Day honors all military veterans, living and deceased, Memorial Day specifically commemorates those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces.

The Evolution of Memorial Day

Memorial Day’s origins can be traced to the aftermath of the Civil War, which claimed more American lives than any conflict in U.S. history and necessitated the establishment of the country’s first national cemeteries.

By the late 1860s, communities across America had begun holding springtime tributes to the countless fallen soldiers, decorating their graves with flowers and saying prayers. These observances were initially known as Decoration Day. While various communities claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day, in 1966, the federal government declared Waterloo, New York, as the official birthplace of the holiday, citing the community’s first formal, community-wide observance on May 5, 1866.

On May 5, 1868, General John A. Logan, leader of an organization for Northern Civil War veterans, called for a nationwide day of remembrance. “The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land,” he proclaimed.

The date was chosen because it wasn’t the anniversary of any particular battle and flowers would be in bloom throughout the country. The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, with ceremonies centered around the mourning-draped veranda of the Arlington mansion.

By 1890, each Northern state had made Decoration Day an official state holiday. Southern states, however, continued to honor their dead on separate days until after World War I, when the holiday evolved to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars, not just the Civil War.

For decades, Memorial Day continued to be observed on May 30. In 1968, however, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May to create a three-day weekend for federal employees. The change took effect in 1971, the same time the holiday was declared a federal holiday.

Memorial Day 2025: National Events and Traditions

Memorial Day weekend in 2025 will feature numerous ceremonial events:

National Memorial Day Concert (Sunday, May 25, 2025) – The traditional concert broadcast from the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra and numerous performers honoring fallen service members.
Arlington National Cemetery Events (May 26, 2025) – The annual remembrance ceremony, featuring wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the traditional address by the President or Vice President of the United States.
National Moment of Remembrance – At 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, Americans are encouraged to pause for a minute of silence to remember those who have died in military service.
Flags-In Ceremony (May 22-23, 2025) – Members of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) place American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery.
Carry The Load National Relay – A month-long national relay culminating on Memorial Day weekend, with participants walking to “carry the load” for fallen heroes.
Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally (May 25, 2025) – Though officially renamed “Rolling to Remember,” this motorcycle demonstration continues the tradition of thousands of motorcyclists converging in Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Across the nation, communities will hold local parades, ceremonies at veteran cemeteries, and memorial services. Many Americans also observe personal traditions, such as visiting grave sites of family members who served and displaying flags at half-staff until noon.

The Significance of Military Commemoration Days in American Culture

These three commemoration periods—Veterans Day, National Veterans and Military Families Month, and Memorial Day—form essential components of America’s collective remembrance of military service and sacrifice. Each serves a distinct yet complementary purpose in the national consciousness:

Veterans Day celebrates the service of all military veterans, focusing on gratitude for their contributions and sacrifices. National Veterans and Military Families Month extends this recognition to include the families who support service members and acknowledges the broader impact of military service. Memorial Day provides a solemn opportunity to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country.

Together, these observances help maintain national awareness of the costs and value of military service, bridging the growing civilian-military divide in American society. They serve as reminders of shared national values and the price of freedom, while providing structured occasions for expressions of gratitude and respect.

How to Meaningfully Participate in Veteran Commemoration Days

For civilians wishing to honor veterans in meaningful ways during these commemorative periods in 2025, several options exist beyond attending official events:

Support Veteran Service Organizations – Organizations like the Wounded Warrior Project, Disabled American Veterans, and the USO provide crucial services to veterans and active-duty personnel.
Visit Veterans at VA Facilities – Many veterans in hospitals and care facilities welcome visitors, particularly during holidays when they may feel isolated.
Preserve Veterans’ Stories – Participate in the Veterans History Project by recording the stories of veterans in your family or community for the Library of Congress.
Display the American Flag Properly – Learn and follow the U.S. Flag Code for respectful display during commemoration days.
Educate the Next Generation – Share veterans’ stories with children and young adults, helping them understand the human aspects of military service and sacrifice.
Hire Veterans and Military Spouses – Businesses can make specific efforts to recruit and retain veterans and military family members, recognizing the valuable skills they bring to civilian workplaces.

Conclusion

As 2025 approaches, these important Veteran Commemoration Days offer Americans structured opportunities to honor, remember, and express gratitude to those who have served in the armed forces. Veterans Day, National Veterans and Military Families Month, and Memorial Day each contribute uniquely to our collective remembrance, ensuring that the sacrifices made by service members and their families are neither forgotten nor taken for granted.

The national and local events scheduled throughout 2025 provide numerous ways for citizens to participate in these commemorations, whether through attendance at official ceremonies, personal acts of remembrance, or support for organizations serving the veteran community. By understanding the historical significance of these observances and actively participating in them, Americans can meaningfully honor the commitment and sacrifice of those who have worn the nation’s uniform.

As President Calvin Coolidge once noted, “The nation which forgets its defenders will be itself forgotten.” Through these commemoration days, America continues to remember.