Happy Veterans Day. Maybe we should take back Veterans Day...all that free stuff is just loss leaders ya do know that right?

First let me lead with this.

Happy Veterans Day.

Now for my gripe.  Ya know maybe this is one of those things that needs to be taken back or at the very least be taken a bit more seriously.

Memorial Day kinda has me spinning already.  But at least on that day SOME are aware of the meaning of the holiday.

Veterans Day?

Not so much.

I guarantee one of a couple things will happen.

1.  If you're like me and sporting a Marine Corps tattoo then you'll be thanked for your service.  Cool.  I wear a different uniform now so its the same people that are appreciative every day.  Again cool.

2.  You'll hear people almost apologetically tell ya that they would have served except for x, y or z.  Still don't know how to politely deal with that one.

3.  My church made a deal of it and you'll find out people you're occasionally around also served.  Awesome.

4.  You'll get messages from a variety of merchants promoting free stuff for this day.

Number 4 irks the hell outta me.  I'd be happier if they donated meals to homeless vets.  I'd be happier if I didn't know that this was one of the "approved" holidays and that they do it with an eye towards public relations.  I'd be ecstatic if I didn't know that these are mostly loss leaders to get people into their establishment because a family is extremely proud of their guy/girl and want to do something for them....so they take them out to eat.

I guess the bottom line is that this holiday has been commercialized and I don't think I like that.

Am I too rigid in my thinking?

Is it really not worth the wasted brain cells to even gone down this road?