Veteran's Day

Does anyone else think it's wierd that our country chooses to honor our veterans by holding sales? I mean, we have a national holiday, but unlike Memorial Day, not many people are off. Schools, banks, and post offiices are closed. So if you are a veteran and work in one of those 3 professions, enjoy your day off. But if you do anything else, keep working. Why do we only make a big deal about the soldiers who die, but not the ones who just, you know, risked their lives? My dad never gets his day to be off and be remembered. Why have a holiday if we're just going to put sheets and towels on sale? It just cheapens the meaning.