BellaE

My mum is in a nursing home in Massachusetts. My sister told me that the nursing home staff had a little ceremony today honoring the veterans living there, but didn't include my mother, because she served in the WRNS during WWII, not in US armed forces.
Geez.
okay, whine over.

lansbury

I sympathise. I went to the unveiling of a memorial to honor veterans. It is in a park in our city. On arrival I was asked if I was a veteran and what branch I served in. I said Royal Air Force and was told that didn't count if it wasn't a US service.

BellaE

It counts, they just don't know it.

Mrs Danvers

It's a very understandable whine. I wonder if you could have a word with the social worker in that nursing home so they don't do the same thing next year? The people who arranged it were maybe the activities staff who sound clueless.

RICH

No Hot-Dogs for you. Loser

Pulaski

More than they realize. British citizens resident in the US on a non-immigrant visa can serve in the US reserves if they want to. It should just be a matter of finding out who to lobby to get the recognition.

Yorkieabroad

That's not nice for your mum..I can understand her being upset. Normally round our way when they invite people to stand and be recognized they phrase it something like "past and present members of the U.S. armed forces, and the forces of the UK and our other allies". I always wonder why the UK is singled out from other allies...the "special relationship" I guess! When I say "normally", I think the only places I have heard it are at the school Veterans Day concert and Seaworld.

We go to a Memorial Day ceremony at the national cemetery in Houston, and there they specifically recognize the 5 US forces, but given that the cemetery only holds US personnel, I guess that is more understandable.

CelticRover

Pentagon Program Allows Illegal Aliens to Serve in U.S. Military | CNS News

scrubbedexpat091

I don't have an issue with it, why should children have to suffer because of their parents mistakes?

"Now, as long as they came to the U.S. with their parents prior to age 16, are pending approval for adjustment of status, or have held legal status for at least two years at some point, immigrants without a proper visa fall within grounds of eligibility."



To the OP. Sorry to hear they didn't include your mother, maybe have a talk with whoever is in charge of it and maybe they can change their ways and include everyone who is a veteran regardless of which country they were with.

BellaE

Thanks for entertaining my whine! My sister is going to speak with the activity director and do a little consciousness-raising. By the time she does this, my mother will probably have forgotten all about it! I think the US Veterans have that fact indicated clearly in their records, as they are probably getting VA benefits.

Bob

Speaking of, when we were out some place yesterday, we didn't see anyone else take a moments silence at 11.

We usually don't.

It's a little odd I feel.

GeoffM

It is completely the opposite to the UK, isn't it! Two minute silence in the UK to remember the fallen. Loud events, big banners, promos at restaurants etc in the US.

scrubbedexpat099

Completely forgot it was 11/11. Admittedly the weather may have had an effect but nothing happening that I saw.

BubbleChog

that's what the Cenotaph is missing - a big banner announcing the Armistice day blow out furniture sales

Bob

I was watching the rugby a few days ago and before the match, they were doing a minutes silence. It was so quiet, I turned the volume up on the tele (chromecasted a Brit feed) as I thought someone had muted it...a moments silence over here doesn't seem to be as silent.

I'm sure there are times when it is, I just haven't observed it being the case as often, or if at all.