Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veterans Day as a way to honor those who served in all American wars. The day has evolved into also honoring living military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery. Below are some 'facts' about Veterans in the US. They were gleaned from a US Census Page, which can be found here. All numbers are as of 2004,with the exception of the last stat provided. I am sure that some of them need to be adjusted for the last two years our soldiers have spent in Iraq and Afganistan.
24.5 million
The number of military veterans in the United States in 2004.
Female Vets
1.7 million
16%
Percentage of Persian Gulf War veterans in 2004 who were women.
9.5 million
The number of veterans age 65 or older
8.1 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans in 2004. Thirty-three percent of all veterans served in Vietnam.
3.9 million
Number of World War II veterans in 2004. Sixteen percent of all veterans served during World War II.
412,000
In 2005, number of living veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and in the Gulf War.
The number of military veterans in the United States in 2004.
Female Vets
1.7 million
16%
Percentage of Persian Gulf War veterans in 2004 who were women.
9.5 million
The number of veterans age 65 or older
8.1 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans in 2004. Thirty-three percent of all veterans served in Vietnam.
3.9 million
Number of World War II veterans in 2004. Sixteen percent of all veterans served during World War II.
412,000
In 2005, number of living veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and in the Gulf War.
There are parades today, all over the nation in support of our Vets from all the wars American has been involved in. People, such as myself, will hang American flags at the front door of their homes.
I support our Vets with a belief that we should be making less of them. I want to see an end to the soldiers come home from Iraq with missing limbs or severe brain injuries. I want an end to soldiers coming home in flag-draped coffins from Iraq and Afganistan.
I think Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld should be sent to Iraq and stay there until our last soldiers are home safe and sound. Perhaps if Cheney spent more time overseeing Halliburton, KBR, Blackwater and the job they are doing in Iraq, and less time quail hunting we would be getting out of Iraq sooner than later. I am quite sure the quail hunting basically sucks in Iraq. I don't think Rumsfeld would find much to amuse him there either, so he would be able to learn exactly how "its going" over there.
