|
| |
Veterans Day 2005: Nov. 11
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.
24.5 million
The number of military veterans in the United States.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.)
1.7 million
The number of veterans who are women.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.)
9.5 million
The number of veterans who are age 65 or older.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.)
2.3 million
The number of black veterans. Additionally, 1.1 million veterans are
Hispanic; 276,000 are Asian; 185,000 are American Indian or Alaska native; and
25,000 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.) (From the
AmericanFactFinder.)
8.2 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans. More than 30 percent of all veterans
served in Vietnam, the largest share of any period of service. The next largest
share of wartime veterans, 3.9 million or fewer than 20 percent, served during
World War II.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.)
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: 2006.)
432,000
Number of veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and in the Gulf War.
In addition,
• 383,000 veterans served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam
conflict.
• 107,000 served during three periods: World War II, the Korean War
and the Vietnam conflict.
• 376,000 served in World War II and the Korean War.
(Source: AmericanFactFinder.)
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 (1.1 million) and Ohio (1.1 million).
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.)
$22.4 billion
Aggregate amount of money received annually by the 2.6 million veterans
receiving compensation for service-connected disabilities.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.)
$59.6 billion
Total amount of federal government spending for veterans benefits program in
fiscal year 2004.
(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2006.)
|
