Veterans Day is a day we pay tribute to the men and women who have served in the military.
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 honors military veterans with parades and speeches across the nation. A national ceremony takes place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
In 2009, America had 21.9 million military veterans. Of these, 1.5 million were females and 2.3 million were black. In addition, 1.1 million were Hispanic and 258,000 were Asian.
In 2009, there were 7.6 million Vietnam-era veterans. Thirty-five percent of all living veterans served during this time – 1964-1975.
In addition, 4.5 million served during the Gulf War (from Aug. 2, 1990, to present); 2.3 million in World War II (1941-1945); 2.7 million in the Korean War (1950-1953); and 5.6 million in peacetime only.
Are things improving for veterans?
The construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans has been approved.
Private industry and the federal government have stepped up education and job retraining to help veterans in these times of high unemployment.
More attention is being given to posttraumatic stress disorder, although much more needs to be done.
The government is beginning to respond with the right resources to help women veterans.
In his Veterans Day proclamation, President Obama said, “We must fulfill our sacred trust to care for our veterans after they retire their uniforms.”
It’s essential. It’s the right thing to do.
