On November 11, while some American will relish in a paid day off on Veterans Day, millions of others will join to honor those in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines who make sacrifices for their country. Canadians have their own way to honor veterans, Remembrance Day, which includes a minute of silence on 11/11 at 11:11.

You don’t have to support war to empathize with those who have left loved ones behind to serve their country. Although some join for patriotic reasons, not all who sign-up for the armed forces are gung-ho about engaging in war. 

However, some young people do join for financial and medical security, or to take advantage of the GI Bill which helps pay for college tuition, an opportunity to see the world, or even because they are under pressure to follow family tradition.  Whatever the reason, military men and women and their families live a hard life.

Tons of military veterans deal with post-traumatic stress disorder from being maimed, having seen their fellow team member killed or dismembered by a grenade or gunfire, being responsible for stray bombs or bullets that have resulted in the deaths of innocent children, or guilt-ridden over the fact they killed in combat. All of those things not only affect the veteran, but their loved ones too.

That said, it seems fitting to gather all things military, from the latest in weaponry and fun gadgets, to silly songs and even military chic, in honor of America’s Veterans Day and Canada’s Remembrance Day, a 53 trend salute to the Armed Forces, if you will. 

Photo Credits:  World War 2 , Vietnam War Cpl. Dennis Sheppard 1st Bn. 5th Marines 1st Marine Div. 1970, Operation Iraqi Children