Although the months of February and March follow rapidly on the heels of the biggest and most commercial holidays of the calendar year, they are by far the months most loaded with holiday observances!!  Perhaps most of us are unfamiliar with some of them.  This blog is about listing some of those observances with which we may be less familiar.

Some of the February most notables are:
2/2  Groundhog Day
2/4  Rosa Park’s Day
2/6  Ronald Regan’s Birthday Day
2/7  Lunar New Year
2/9  Super Bowl Day
2/12  Lincoln’s Birthday
2/14  Valentines Day
2/17  Presidents’ Day
2/22 George Washington’s Birthday
Most of these are familiar to us and since February is almost over, let’s move on to March.

There are some surprising observations in March this year:
3/1  Ramadan
3/1  Irish American Heritage Day
3/2  Texas Independence Day
3/4  Casimir Pulaski Day*
3/4  Shrove Tuesday
3/4  Mardi Gras
3/5  Ash Wednesday
3/7  Employee Appreciation Day
3/9  Daylight Savings Begins
3/17  St. Patrick’s Day
3/20  March Equinox
3/29  National Vietnam Veterans’ Day**
3/31  Cesar Chavez Day

*There are a couple of observations in March that perhaps need a little elucidation. How many of you know who Casimir Pulaski was? Kazimierz Pulaski was born on March 3, 1747 in Poland to a military family. Later while serving, he was falsely accused of an attempt to kill the king and forced into exile. He fled to Paris where he chanced to meet Ben Franklin. During a conversation, he was convinced to return to America with Ben Franklin and join the American cause for independence. He enlisted in George Washington’s army. His exploits earned him the rank of brigadier general of the calvary. In 1779, he broke the British siege of Charleston, SC. From there he was sent to Savannah to join the French allies. During the battle he was fatally injured and died on October 11,1779. His contributions to the war effort in the South were honored by having the protective fort at the mouth of the Savannah River named after him. In 2009, he was made an honorary citizen of the United States.

** Another March occasion that deserves recognition is National Vietnam Veterans’ Day. Much like Veteran’ Day, March 29th is (named for the day that the last US troops withdrew from Viet Nam (3/29/1973)  is a way to honor the over 2.7 million service men and women who gave of their time and the 58,000 who gave up their lives to answer the call to duty. These military personnel fought under unimaginable conditions: steamy tropical jungles, indistinguishable foes, unpredictable weather, native pests, traitors, informants and the list goes on.
When they arrived home their fight had just begun. Complicated by the bitterly divisiveness of the public, their injuries, PTSD, difficulty in finding stable employment and the effects of Agent Orange many vets sunk into deep depression. Today, thank God, there are several groups dedicated to caring for those who continue to suffer. (For a more insightful view of the experience, please read Kristin Hannah’s book “The Women”.)
Vietnam Veterans Day is a time to recognize the extraordinary sacrifices made by the men and women who served in the Vietnam War. It is a day to honor their courage, resilience, and the lessons they have taught us about the complexities of war, the importance of support for veterans, and the need to recognize those who serve in silence and without fanfare. Whether through public ceremonies, community events, or quiet moments of reflection, March 29 serves as a crucial reminder of the lasting impact of the Vietnam War and the importance of never forgetting the sacrifices of those who fought in it.