Days of Honor

BY HOLLY LEBEJKO

FAMILY & MWR MARKETING

There are many misunderstandings about certain holidays honoring our military service members. Here are some tips to know whether you are celebrating, honoring or remembering during these government holidays. ARMED FORCES DAY

Honoring those currently serving in the Armed Forces.

What: Armed Forces Day was created in 1949 by the Secretary of Defense, Louis Johnson. It replaced separate days that honored various branches of the military (Army, Air Force and Navy) and was intended to “expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in civilian life.” Armed Forces Day is celebrated with parades, displaying the flag and often by volunteering or making donations.

Who: All who currently serve and all who have served, both active and former, in the reserves, National Guard or on active duty, including the Coast Guard.

When: The third Saturday in May.

Extra Fact: Why is Armed Forces Day in May? Armed Forces Day lands right in the heart of National Military Appreciation Month. It begins May 1 with Loyalty Day and includes Public Service Recognition Week – a week to celebrate government employees, Victory in Europe Day (VE), Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and Armed Forces Week (the third week in May), leading up to Armed Forces Day. The month of military appreciation concludes with Memorial Day. MEMORIAL DAY

Honoring those who died in military service. When: The last Monday in May.

What: Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The holiday roots back to the post-Civil War era when citizens would informally create spring flower memorials on the graves of fallen Soldiers. Today, it is celebrated annually on the last Monday in May to honor those who gave their lives in military service to our nation. The wearing of red poppies is a common way to honor those who have passed.

Extra Fact: The practice of wearing of poppies takes its origin from the poem, “In Flanders Fields,” written in 1915 by John McCrae. VETERANS DAY

Honoring all living or deceased who served in the military, whether in peace or wartime.

When: Celebrated annually on Nov. 11.

What: Veterans Day is formerly known as Armistice Day. It coincides with similar observances in Great Britain, Australia and Canada that all commemorate the armistice that went into effect on Nov. 11, 1918, ending the fighting between the Allies and Germany. In the U.S., Veterans Day specifically honors all former members of the U.S. military. The proper spelling is, “Veterans Day.” It does not include an apostrophe, but does include an ‘s’ at the end of veterans, because it is not a day that belongs to one veteran, it is a day for honoring all veterans.

Extra Fact: Why do some schools close and others remain in session on Veterans Day? There is no legal requirement that schools close on Veterans Day, individual states or school districts are free to establish their own policies on school closings.

BRING YOUR BRING YOUR ‘A’ GAME! ‘A’ GAME!

BY FAMILY & MWR MISSION ESSENTIAL FITNESS (MEF)

Have you ever heard of Mission Essential Fitness (MEF)?

No? Well it is a Fort Bliss Department of Human Performance mission-side unit physical training (PT) program designed to enhance the physical preparation of today’s Soldier. Ironworks Gym West and Ironworks Gym East run the MEF program. This high intensity interval training (HIIT) circuit is designed to meet the needs of Soldiers for muscle strength, endurance and power.

The program improves PT scores for Soldiers and incorporates the exercises from the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), as well as, many others such as barbell, dumbbell, kettlebell, and body weight exercises. Soldiers go through three rounds of the circuit, working for one minute and recovering for 30 seconds, before moving to the next exercise.

It’s a 45-minute workout, ideal for unit PT for platoon size and bigger. MEF is available through reservation at each Ironworks gym, currently the capacity is for a single unit up to 50 Soldier maximum. Unit training is given priority gym usage time. To reserve a time at Ironworks Gym East, call 915-744-5201 or Ironworks Gym West at 915-568-2892.

If you’re an Active-Duty Soldier, who does weight training, why not try the continuously running Fort Bliss 1000 Pound Club? This is done at your convenience Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. To become a member, all you have to do is pay $30 at the Soto Physical Fitness Center (PFC) snack bar and bring the receipt to either

BRING YOUR BRING YOUR ‘A’ GAME! Ironworks gym location to do the test. The test is Squat, Bench, and Deadlift for one repetition each exercise. The total for all three lifts will determine where on the board you’ll place. You will receive a Fort Bliss 1000-Pound Club T-shirt with the corresponding poundage and a nameplate on the

facility’s board. Keep a look out for upcoming events in the fall with the Fort Bliss Department of Human Performance. The Annual Fort Bliss Strongman and Strongwoman Competition should resume in the fall of 2021, stay updated with either Ironworks Gyms for more information. The competition will take place on the turf field next to Soto PFC and will include log press, farmer’s walk, tire flip, and truck pull to determine the Fort Bliss’ Strongest Man and Woman! Also, Dia de Los Deadlifts, a deadlifting competition will take place mid-October until Nov. 2, 2021. This event is conducted in the same process as the 1000 Pound club. Register to participate and come in when you’re ready to bring your ‘A’ game! Ironworks East is located at T2070 Anzio Way and Ironworks West is located at 2996 Cassidy Road. For more information, call Ironworks East at 915-744-5201 or Ironworks West at 915-5682892.

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