Over the years, Memorial Day has become synonymous with barbecues, the unofficial beginning of summer, and crazy commercial sales. Americans enjoy their Monday off by breaking out the beer, shorts, sunglasses, and watching firework displays at the beach. While celebrating your free American life with fun activities isn’t a bad way to spend your free day, it takes the focus away from the real reason we are given that day, in the first place.

Adding to the confusion, currently-serving members of the military are the prominent participants in Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities. They are the ones you see marching in televised parades, saluting the flag, and playing active roles in remembrance services at cemeteries and monuments. It isn’t difficult to see why a significant number of Americans associate these holidays with the present-day members of the military -- never fear, they do have their own day, but that will be mentioned later. It absolutely makes sense! However, these remembrance days are all distinct for a reason -- they commemorate different people and groups! Hopefully this small crash course will provide some clarification and prevent further confusion in the future.

Memorial Day

As the name implies, it is a day set aside to remember the memory of those who have passed on. In the case of the American holiday, we specifically commemorate those who passed away in service to the country—including those who died in war or as a result of injuries inflicted on them in battle. Despite the patriotic parades and festivities, Memorial Day is a solemn time, set aside to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States. It is celebrated on the last Monday of May.

While I wouldn’t necessarily say that it’s disrespectful to salute active-duty military personnel on Memorial Day -- is there ever really a bad time to say “thank you” to our troops? it just makes you look uninformed because, again, this is a day commemorating military members who have died.

“OK, but what about Veterans Day?" one may ask. Unfortunately, people have a tendency to confuse the different American military holidays and this can not only come across as disrespectful to the troops but make you look foolish and incognizant which, I’m sure is not your desire or intention.

Veterans Day

This holiday is set aside to honor those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and are still alive. Again, this is not currently-serving military personnel but those who have served in the past including retired soldiers, airmen, seamen, marines, etc. It is celebrated on November 11th, the anniversary of the signed armistice that ended World War I.

And finally, just for good measure:

Labor Day

I would not have even thought to include it on this list but, surprisingly, American troops have said that they find themselves being thanked and saluted on Labor Day by citizens who mistakenly assume it’s another military service appreciation day. Labor Day commemorates all members of the American workforce! It has no more to do with the military then any other American employee. (Celebrated the first Monday in September.)

Armed Forces Day

This is your salute-the-troops, shake-hands-with-a-soldier appreciation day! Armed Forces Day was established to honor those who serve in the five branches of the military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corp, and Coast Guard. It celebrates the unity of the five different branches under the U.S. Department of Defense. As stated earlier, there really is no bad time to thank someone for dedicating their time and risking their life in defense of our country and values but this is the specifically designated day to do it! (Celebrated the third Saturday of May.)

Columbus Day

Yes, it is a Monday off from school but that is the only similarity it has with Memorial Day. Columbus Day celebrates Christopher Columbus arriving in the New World. Not only does this have nothing to do with the military, but more and more areas of the country are turning away from Columbus Day in favor of honoring the original American inhabitants -- Native Americans. (Celebrated the first Monday in October.)

Flag Day

An observance, not a holiday, that commemorates the adoption of our country’s flag. Again, not about the military, but it is a patriotic day where adorning yourself in red, white, and blue and waving your flag are both acceptable and encouraged practices. (Celebrated on June 14.)

Patriots’ Day

Not really observed nationally, Patriots’ Day is popular in New England as it commemorates the battles of Lexington and Concord. Parades are held, reenactments of these battles and historical events (ex: ringing the bell of the North Church in Boston) take place and schools are encouraged to discuss these early events of the Revolutionary Era with younger students. (Celebrated on the third Monday of April.)

Patriot Day

Not to be confused with Patriots’ Day -- I know, confusing -- this is a more recent day of observance set aside in memory of those who lost their lives in the terror attacks on September 11, 2001. Flags are flown at half-staff on all government buildings and establishments, and citizens are encouraged to proudly hang American flags on their homes. Moments of silences are exercised in correspondence with the exact times each plane hit the Twin Towers. (Celebrated on September 11.)

POW/MIA Recognition Day

An observance day used to commemorate military prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA). While not a federal public holiday, POW/MIA Recognition Day is established to honor POWs who served their country and MIAs that have never been found or are still missing. The POW/MIA flag is hung and remembrance ceremonies take place at national monuments and war memorials. (Celebrated on the third Friday of September.)

Independence Day

And finally, the arguably most patriotic day of the year! Independence Day—commonly referred to as “The Fourth of July” -- celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. This was the official statement by the thirteen original colonies that they were a separate nation from the British Empire that previously controlled them from afar. We celebrate Independence Day with firework displays, barbecues, pool parties, concerts, ball games, military ceremonies, political demonstrations, and other celebratory festivities. (Celebrated on the 4th of July.)

Again, it makes sense to get Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and even some of these other holidays and observances confused. In the case of Memorial and Veterans Day, both days honor the military in different ways and are often confused as a result. I hope this information proved to be helpful and I hope you enjoy your freedom this Memorial Day weekend. While you’re sitting with your friends and family at the beach or barbecue, remember that you can relax and have fun because others made the ultimate sacrifice that allows you to live in safety. “Land of the free, because of the brave.”