November 11th is Remembrance day here in Canada and many Canadians are outraged at Eddie Bauer for holding a Remembrance day sale.
I understand this is common in the US for Veterans day.

In Canada most of us see Remembrance day as a very solemn day and phrases such as have a happy Remembrance day are just not done. And we would never "celebrate" Remembrance day.

So my question is how do Americans view Veterans day.
Is it the same in the US or is this an example of one of our cultural differences.

Yote, I of course can't speak for the majority, but I think that many americans consider it nothing more than a Free (paid?) holiday. Not much remembrance there.

We (I mean ALL people) don't want to think of the sacrifices that were made, all the blood and guts that were spilled just so we (lets say the western world nations) can enjoy freedoms, rights that OTHERS paid so we can set quietly and safely in our homes being entertained, having our minds numbed by mindless swill presented via Television.

I think it only means something to those that have sacrificed and served and their loved ones.

I use it to think of those that went before me, the ones I served with and those that currently carry the torch.

Well said MB!

In my circle of friends and family, we do say things like "happy Veterans' Day." I should note that a lot of them are or were service members. We, at least most of us in my circle, truly use the day to remember. I called my grandfather, a WWII vet, and my father, a Vietnam vet, yesterday to thank them for their service. My Facebook page was filled with status updates from other service members remembering. I also got some PMs and comments from my civilian friends and family thanking me for mine. So yes they too "remembered."

I will admit I have surrounded myself with patriotic people over the years. My family are the stereotypical red blooded Americans. But, there are a good number of Americans that think it is just a day off. They say "happy Veterans' Day" just because it is the thing to say on holidays.

As for your cultural diffirence question; The ones that do truly view the day as a time for remembrance say "happy Veterans' Day" because they are not only remembering the sacrifices, but also celebrating the victories.

That's my two cents.

Semper Fi

Good Job JJ.

I've always said happy veteran's day, really only to vets though, and always in conjunction with thanks for you service or something along those lines

I've always thought of Veterans' Day as a celebratory day. Everyone that I know that has served gets a thank you from me. I also make phone calls to all of my friends and family that have served to express my grattitude. I think our somber day is Memorial Day.

I also think Veterans Day is to be celebrated, while Memorial Day should be just that, a day to remember those who gave all. I don't particularly care for the sales and such that go with either, but corporate America doesn't care. Any excuse to have a sale and make a buck.

Thanks guys, many people here have forgotten what it is about.
While thousands expressed outrage at Eddie Bauer for having a Remembrance Day sale we also had line-ups of over 3 hours at our border crossings here in BC for people to take advantage of sales in the US.
I guess growing up in a very patriotic family, with a strong military tradition, it is one of my "sore points" that many Canadians don't seem to give veterans the respect they deserve.
I guess the right to be selfish is one of the rights that our militaries protect, but darn it pi$$%$ me off.

My one uncle once told me "yah he is an a$$%^*#, but we fought for his right to be one. (The guy he was talking about was what I considered a racists)

I should add that over 20,000 showed up for the Remembrance day ceremonies in Vancouver despite the rain AND researchers are saying that over the last few years more 20 to 40 year olds are attending these ceremonies after a couple decades of decline.
The bad news is because many of them have friends and family serving in the sandbox.