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

A Giant Puzzle | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 1

Audio

In this first segment on the Confederate submarine C.S.S. Hunley , Walter Edgar and Senator Glenn McConnell discuss how finding the submarine disproved all pre-conceived notions about its design...
A Historic Time Capsule | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 3

Audio

The Hunley is described as “a historic time capsule.” Sen. Glenn McConnell discusses using the clues found in the Hunley to piece together what happened the night it sank the U.S.S. Housatonic .
Raising The Hunley | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 2

Audio

Senator Glenn McConnell discusses raising the Hunley . Some of the challenges faced were maritime legal issues, and how the submarine was going to be lifted off of the ocean floor. Preserving the...
The C.S.S. Hunley | Walter Edgar's Journal
Episode 6

Audio

Dr. Symonds addresses the importance of the C.S.S. Hunley : History’s first operational submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat, the U.S.S. Housatonic .
A Time to Fight, Part 5
Episode 5

Video

The story of the Doolittle Raiders is told, including.that of Bill Farrow, one of three top students in a nationwide search of colleges and universities, chosen to receive pilot's training at...