Lawrence Binyon wrote the poem For the Fallen in 1914. The third and fourth verses speak to all who have been lost because of war:

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Many nations have a day or at least a ceremony set aside to commemorate those who fought and died for their county. It seems strange that the months December through February seem devoid of such holidays.

The following is a list of days throughout the world which are days of remembrance, what that particular day is called, and which country/countries observe it. I have not intentionally left out any country, but if you know of any not listed below, please contact me and I will add it as soon as possible.

March 29 – Day of the Young Combatants – Chile

April 9 – Vimy Ridge Day – Canada

14th of Nisan (April 19) – Yom Hashoah – Israel

April 24 – Genocide Remembrance Day – Armenia, and US states of North Dakota and Hawaii

April 25 – ANZAC Day – Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Cook’s Island, Australia, New Zealand

4th of Iyar (between the last week of April and the first week of May) – Yom Hazikaron - Israel

May 4 – Remembrance of the Dead – Netherlands

May 6 – Martyrs Day – Lebanon, Syria

May 8 – Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War – United Nations General Assembly

May 8 – Victory in Europe Day – US, United Kingdom

May 8 – Day of Liberation – former East Germany, Czech Republic

May 8 – Victory over Fascism Day – Slovakia

May 9 – Soviet Victory Day – Russia and some former Soviet Republics

May 15 – Peace Officers Memorial Day – US

Third Sunday in May – Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions – Ukraine

Last Monday in May – Memorial Day – US

June 27 – Armed Forces Day – United Kingdom

June 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day – United Nations General Assembly

Sunday preceding July 1 – Memorial Day – Newfoundland, Labrador

July 11 – National Day of Commemoration – Republic of Ireland

August 6 – Peace Declaration Day – (the world) observed by an annual speech made by the Mayor of Hiroshima

August 15 – Remembrance Day – Australia

Second Monday in August – Victory Day – US

September 3 – Victory over Japan Day – China

September 3 – Liberation Day - Korea

First Sunday in September – Airbourne March – Netherlands

September 12 – Regimental Battle Honors Day – Sikhs around the world

October 30 – Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions – former Soviet Republics except Ukraine

November 11 – Armistice Day – former Allied countries of WWII

November 11 – Remembrance Day – Commonwealth Nations

November 11 – Veterans Day – US

Second Sunday in November – Remembrance Sunday – United Kingdom

November 27 – Maaveerar Day – Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

Politics aside, the honor of dying in battle is not one we would choose for those we love. But war has always been a companion of our civilizations. Like a dark shadow on a bright day, we see what must be done to protect our homes, our families, and the way we live. We are where we are because of those who went to war and did not return home.

Lawrence Binyon promised it, and so do I, “We will remember them.”