Yesterday was Veterans Day. Since I’m married to a veteran, I understand the meaning behind it.

Which is why I don’t understand how it’s morphed into Memorial Day. During college football games yesterday, the announcers were detailing the lives of soldiers killed in action. Players were wearing the names of Fallen Soldiers. Don’t get me wrong, those fallen soldiers should be honored. But Veterans Day is a day to honor all those who are veterans of the armed forces. Not in particular those who have died. There are millions of living veterans. Why aren’t their stories shared on the day to honor them?

For that matter, how did Veterans Day get so intertwined with every other holiday? It’s Thanksgiving, don’t forget the people who can’t be with their loved ones! It’s Christmas, don’t forget the ones who died so you can celebrate! (They celebrate Christmas in England, too, you know). It’s Labor Day, remember the veterans! It’s Memorial Day, remember the people stationed overseas! It’s like it’s some weird competition to see how many ways you can incorporate the military into every holiday.

Again, I understand the importance of acknowledging current military, veterans, and the ones who have died. My grandfather served. My dad served. My husband served. There are plenty of ways to remember them. Those of us who have been touched by them don’t need a special day for it.