Companies that I've worked for don't pay you if you fail show up for work the day before and the day after a holiday even if you have a doctors note. Check your employee handbook for details specific to your company.
Every company is different and there really is no constant answer. Some companies state" Here are your PTO (paid Time Off) days take them whenever and others tell you flat out that they will not pay if you miss prior to or immediately after a holiday.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.