Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar drew backlash on Twitter on Monday after confusing holiday customs in a tweet about Memorial Day.
“upon [Memorial Day]”We honor the heroic men and women who served our country. We owe them more than a thank you — they are well entitled to quality mental health services, employment opportunities, housing assistance and the benefits they were promised,” the Minnesota Democrat tweeted, in a post that appears to have been deleted. (Related: Ilhan Omar’s daughter Isra Hirsi reportedly suspended from university for anti-Israel activism)
upon #anniversaryWe honor the heroic men and women who served our country.
We owe them more than a debt of gratitude: They deserve access to quality mental health services, employment opportunities, housing assistance, and the benefits they were promised.
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) May 27, 2024
Netizens were quick to pounce on the mistake. “Oh my goodness. Please delete this immediately!! Just like the disrespect with the Easter message, honoring those who served our country and giving them their service is not what Memorial Day is about. This is an insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us,” one user wrote.
Oh no. Delete this immediately!! As with the disrespect in the Easter message, honoring and serving those who have served our country is not what Memorial Day is for. This is an insult to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us.
— Be curious. Ask questions. (@EPLindaLou) May 27, 2024
Another person kindly wrote, “1) You’re confusing Veterans Day with Memorial Day. 2) I thought the VA would take care of all that stuff. 3) How do you give that stuff to dead people (see #1)?”
1) Confusing Veterans Day with Memorial Day
2) I thought we had a VA for all of it.
3) How to give these things to the dead (see 1)— John 🔬 (@JonnyMicro) May 27, 2024
Memorial Day is a day to remember those who gave their lives in military service to the United States, not military personnel in general. Originally called Decoration Day, the holiday was established in the aftermath of the Civil War to commemorate those who died in America’s bloodiest conflict. History Channel ObservedThe holiday was later expanded to include those killed in other conflicts in which the United States fought.
Veterans Day was established after World War I to celebrate and thank America’s active and fallen military veterans. according to Visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
