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Interesting Facts About Veterans on Veterans Day
2004
Nov. 9, 2004 - Veterans Day originated as
Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918. Its purpose: to commemorate the end of
World War I. First proclaimed by Congress in 1926 and each year
thereafter, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954 as a result of
legislation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The name was
changed to honor all who served the nation in wars or conflicts.
Veterans Day has been observed annually on this date since 1978, except
for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of
October.
24.9 million
The number of military veterans in the United States.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States:
2004-2005.)
1.7 million
The number of veterans who are women.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States:
2004-2005.)
9.7 million
The number of veterans who are age 65 or over.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States:
2004-2005.)
2.4 million
The number of black veterans. Additionally, 1.1 million veterans are
Hispanic; 272,000 are Asian; 159,000 are American Indian or Alaska
native; and 30,000 are native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander. (The
numbers for blacks, Asians, American Indians and Alaska natives and
native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders cover only those reporting
a single race.)
8.2 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans. Vietnam veterans account for more than
3-in-10 veterans, the largest share of any period of service. The next
largest share of wartime veterans, 4.4 million or nearly 2-in-10, served
during World War II. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the
United States: 2004-2005.)
16%
Percentage of Persian Gulf War veterans who are women. In contrast,
women account for 5 percent of World War II vets, 3 percent of Vietnam
vets and 2 percent of Korean War vets. (From the upcoming
Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)
381,000
Number of veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and the Desert
Storm era (August 1990 or later).
In addition, 429,000 veterans served during both
the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict.
143,000 served during three periods: World War II,
the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict.
498,000 served in World War II and the Korean War.
6
Number of states with 1 million or more veterans. These states are
California (2.3 million), Florida (1.8 million), Texas (1.7 million),
New York (1.2 million), Pennsylvania (1.2 million) and Ohio (1.1
million). (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United
States: 2004-2005.)
$20.8 billion
Aggregate amount of money received annually by the 2.5 million veterans
receiving compensation for service-connected disabilities. (From the
upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)
$56.9 billion
Total amount of federal government spending for veterans benefits
programs in fiscal year 2003. (From the upcoming Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)
The Medal Of Honor
Among those remembered at Veterans Day ceremonies,
will be the select few who have received the nation's highest military
decoration the Medal of Honor. One woman is on that list Mary Walker,
cited for heroism in the Civil War by Generals William T. Sherman and
George Thomas. As the first woman surgeon in the U.S. Army, she was
often exposed to great danger operating, as battles raged. Walker not
only tended Union troops but crossed lines to help wounded Confederates
as well and, at one point, was captured and made a prisoner of war.
Today in the U.S., nearly one-third of the 825,000 active medical
doctors are women.
Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2004, p. 601
Source: U.S. Census Bureau:
http://www.census.gov/
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