As Nov. 11 approaches, Americans prepare for Veterans Day in the U.S. Parades will be thrown, barbecues will be hosted and families with gather to honor those who served and are currently still serving. In the U.S., Veterans Day is a time when civilians show their gratitude for the former servicemembers who fought for their country, but how do countries around the world celebrate their veterans? Let's take a look at Veterans Day celebrations from across the globe.
United Kingdom
The U.K. celebrates their Veterans Day on Nov. 11, also. However, the region calls their remembrance Armistice Day. Citizens across the kingdom place red poppies in town square and on doorways to signify their commemoration for the Armed Forces. The Royal British Legion also distributes red poppies for people to wear. According to Tech Times, the U.K. also enacts a two-minute moment of silence on Armistice Day for all the area's fallen soldiers.
France
This bordering country of the U.K. also celebrated Armistice Day on Nov. 11. In 2014, the French President unveiled the "Ring of Remembrance," a large, bronzed stainless steel monument that lists the names of roughly 580,000 servicemembers who died during World War I, as reported by Tech Times. People gather to lay wreaths on the monument and honor those who fought.
Canada
America's northerly neighbor follows the footsteps of the U.K. and France. On Nov. 11, red poppies are distributed to wear or make into wreaths. Parades and celebrations mark the commemoration of soldiers that fought for the commonwealths of the U.K.
Belgium
Another country that celebrates Armistice Day is Belgium. This region is host to one of the world's largest veteran celebrations. Every year on Nov. 11, Belgium holds the Last Post Ceremony. Tech Times reported that this ceremony was inspired by the bugle call that the British Armed Forces uses to signify the end of the day. The Belgium government places red poppies on Menin Gate in Ypres, Belgium, and a squad of buglers plays the Last Post song in memoriam of veterans who has passed.
As you can see, Americans are not alone in their respect for the men and women who serve their countries. Veterans are people who should be celebrated in some way in every country. The next time you are raising your flag or laying a wreath, think about the people across the world who are doing the same thing in honor of their country's former servicemembers.