Today is Remembrance Day in some parts of the world. In Australia it is a day where for a short time at least we think about the conflicts we have been in (and there are many) and those who have died and suffered serving in those conflicts.

We don't dwell on the fact that we won or lost or whatever instead we think, or should be thinking, about the damage war has done to so many lives.

In the States, we call it Veterans Day and celebrate it with sales in the malls.

Every holiday is an occasion for sales in the malls any more.

When I was in elementary school many years ago, we would observe a minute of silence at 11 minutes after the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

I fear that custom has been lost.

we don't "celebrate" it
it is a day for sombre reflection
well at least it used to be

@floppywhopper, in NSW schools it is still a day, or minute anyway, of sombre reflection. NSW public schools all have a minute of silence at 11 am on 11th of the 11th. It isn't a celebration nor an opportunity to go shopping, it isn't overdone at least to my way of thinking anyway.

It may be that some stores take advantage of a holiday in the US. In almost every decent town small to large there will be services, memorials and parades to honor the fallen and those that served. If you don't want to shop you can go to some national cemetery or place of worship. They tend to all have some day of prayer for those lost or served. You can go to most downtown for parades and such. There are also many re-enactments that teach the children and adults parts of conflict. They can see and touch and hear any number of classic battles to other presentations.

In contrast here many stores and other businesses/organizations are closed (even if it doesn't fall on Sunday).

There are indeed remembrances in the States, but they tend to get lost in the hullabaloo of merchandising. I used the term "celebrate" with my tongue very much in my cheek.

Many persons do take the day seriously, especially those whose families or forebears have been touched in some way by military service, but many more do not.

This column, from the resident curmudgeon at my local rag, I think gives a good picture of the situation:

http://hamptonroads.com/2012/11/vete...dents-just-day

It is unfortunate but that is the image of the USA, if it doesn't make money then it's not worth having or it has to be changed so it can make money. Not trying to be offensive but thats how it is seen by many in the rest of the world.

The school I was at today had a little (20 minutes max) service. 5-12 year olds standing heads bowed for a minutes silence on top of standing heads bowed for the last post and National Anthem. They all stood quietly, I was proud of them even more so because I have difficulty standing as they are expected to stand. The quiet bit isn't an issue but standing on the spot is getting hard.

I remember back in NZ when Fire Stations used to sound their sirens
on the 11th of the 11th at 11.

You are not being offensive. It's not a fair characterization of individual Americans in general, but it is sadly a fair characterization of our business and, especially, our commercial culture.

I associate 11/11 with Carnaval On 11/11 at 11:11, the carnaval 'season' officially starts.