Military Observances

Find out the different military observances and the differences between each day.

Armed Forces Day. Observed the third Saturday in May, this day is for all who currently serve and all who have served, both active and former, in the reserves, National Guard or on active duty, including the Coast Guard.  It replaced separate days that honored various branches of the military (Army, Air Force and Navy).

Veterans Day. Celebrated annually on November 11, this day of observance is for all living and deceased who have served in the military.

Memorial Day. Celebrated annually on the last Monday in May, this day of observance is for all who died while serving

National Guard Birthday Celebrated December 13, honors all citizen-soldiers who have civilian jobs but are available to provide support and protection for the states’ civilians. They may be called for military operations at a national level.

Within this Collection

Parris Island | Carolina Snaps

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Parris Island in Beaufort, SC has trained US Marines since 1915. It was named after Alexander Parris. In 1949 it began training female recruits. Its mission is to transform recruits through rigorous...
Fort Jackson | Carolina Snaps

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Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC trains 50% of US Army soldiers and 60% of female recruits. It was established in 1917 and almost closed in 1949 but remained open due to the Cold War and Korean War. It...
Shaw Air Force Base | Carolina Snaps

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Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina is home to the 9th Air Force Headquarters and the 20th Fighter Wing. It was activated as Shaw Field in 1941 for Army Air Corps pilot training before the US...
Skytrails Exhibit

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The South Carolina Military Museum’s newly unveiled “South Carolina Airfields: Then and Now” exhibit aims to tell the story of the Palmetto State’s contributions and involvement in the field of...
Fort Moultrie National Park | Let's Go!

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The first fort on Sullivan's Island, constructed of palmetto logs and sand, was still incomplete when Commodore Sir Peter Parker of the Royal Navy and nine British men-of-war attacked it on June 28...