PetSmart is United Together to honor our Veterans who have given so much to protect our freedom and the freedom of others around the globe. They represent the highest ideals of our country, and while we can never fully repay the debt we owe these heroes, we honor their service and acknowledge this month as a time to search beyond what we already know to celebrate and learn more.
Celebrating Veterans Day and Remembrance Day with PetSmart's ARG - SERVE
SERVE honors the service of our PetSmart Veterans and their families by providing Veterans and supporters a space to reach their fullest potential. SERVE aims to create an environment where every Veteran feels like they belong. Here are what Veterans and Remembrance Day and being a member of SERVE means to a few of our associates.
“Veterans Day means a great deal to me, and I use it to spend time with my brothers and sisters in arms. We discuss our shared experiences. Swapping stories and talking about the good and bad times is fun. I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating this special day.”
-Craig F.
“For me, Veterans Day is an opportunity to reminisce about my experiences in the Army and all the amazing people I met along the way. This day is also a day for me to be intentional in reconnecting with my brothers and sisters via social media, text, or any other means to let them know that I'm thinking of them and to share pictures and memories of our time together. SERVE has brought my worlds together in beautiful harmony. The opportunity to connect with fellow Veterans, military families and those in support of the military while being a part of a community that firmly believes in Anything for Pets has been so rewarding, both professionally and personally."
– Beatriz V.
"On Veteran's Day, I remember my brothers and sisters in uniform and the civilian families who loved them through every deployment, temporary duty station, achievement, and loss. I hold space for those we lost along the way, and I celebrate the beautiful freedoms for which we fight.”
- Kati B.
"SERVE has given me the opportunity to reconnect with the Veteran culture I deeply missed since my retirement from the Army in 2016. It has also provided us with a platform to share the talent that Veterans bring to the workforce and PetSmart as a whole."
- John S.
"I got my start in retail at a Veteran hiring event 29 years ago. That Veteran hiring event changed my life. Grateful to this country, my family, and PetSmart for allowing Veterans like myself to thrive in life, keep growing, and serving people. Grateful to this country, my family, and PetSmart for allowing Veterans like myself to thrive in life, keep growing, and serving people."
- Eric S.
Learn more about Veterans and Remembrance Day
Veterans Day and Remembrance Day are federally recognized holidays that occur annually on November 11 to honor military members of the Armed Services that have served under all conditions. The celebration was initially known as Armistice and Remembrance Day and was observed on the anniversary of the armistice treaty, which ended World War I. Armistice and Remembrance Day was officially renamed Veterans and Remembrance Day in 1954 to recognize all veterans, not just veterans of the World Wars.
Every year on November 11, for Remembrance Day, Canadians pause for a moment of silence to honour those who have served and continue to serve during times of war, conflict, and peace. The poppy flower is a symbol of Remembrance Day because they are flowers that grew on the battlefields after World War I ended. Americans do not typically wear poppies on November 11 (Veterans Day), which honors all living veterans. Instead, they wear the symbolic red flower on Memorial Day. Observance of Veterans Day in America is typically marked by parades, events, or the American Flag being flown at half-mast. Additionally, a period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11 am.
We invite you to learn more about Veterans and Remembrance Day this month, starting with the differences among various holidays that honor the Armed Services and its terms and definitions.
· Veteran refers to any individual who completed service for any armed forces
branch.
· Armed Forces refers to a country’s military force, including but not limited to its
Army, Navy, and Air Force.
· Memorial Day is a solemn occasion to honor those who died while serving in the
military and is observed on the last Monday in May in the US. Memorial Day is
commemorated with Canada Day on July 1st each year (in the provinces of
Newfoundland and Labrador) and Remembrance Day on November 11th.
· Armed Forces Day pays tribute to individuals currently serving in the U.S. Armed
Forces and is observed on the 3rd Saturday of every May and on June 5th.
There are several other military holidays and observances throughout the year, including opportunities to recognize military birthdays, caregivers, spouses, families, and K-9 military working dogs, to name a few.
For more information about Veterans Day and Remembrance Day or our SERVE ARG, we invite PetSmart associates to visit the Belonging Monthly Engagement Fetch Page to learn more. Thank you for celebrating with us.
