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

Trip Hutto | Generations of Heroes

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Iraq War Meet Trip Hutto, a helicopter pilot, in the Iraq War. Interview by Ricah Robinson from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, S.C. Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South...
Steve Shugart | Generations of Heroes

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Iraq War Meet Steve Shugart. He served in the Iraq War. Interview by Evans Moffat from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South Carolina...
Richard Gimmi | Generations of Heroes

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Vietnam War Meet Richard Gimmi. He served in the Vietnam War. Interview by Travis Styron from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. ​Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South...
Mike Moyer | Generations of Heroes

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Iraq War Meet Mike Moyer. He served in the Iraq War. Interview by Steven Keller from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. ​Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South Carolina...
Lou Fowler | Generations of Heroes

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World War II Meet Lou Fowler and was a World War II POW. Interview by Ryan Riordan from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South Carolina...
Ramon Guitard | Generations of Heroes

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Iraq War *** Please Note: This video contains detailed information about a soldier's experience with an IED. The soldier's description of these events is very disturbing and will not be appropriate...
Robert Mills | Generations of Heroes

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World War II Meet Robert Mills. He served in World War II. Interview by Perry McLeod from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. ​ Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South...
Danny Brazzel | Generations of Heroes

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Vietnam War Meet Danny Brazzel. He served in the Vietnam War. Interview by London Knight from Richland Northeast High School, Columbia, SC. Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South...
David Hill | Generations of Heroes

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Vietnam War David Hill was a Vietnam Medic. Hill describes his training and the conditions in Vietnam. Interview by Ryan Riordan. Generations of Heroes was a project that offered South Carolina...