Freedom Isn't Free

[DeniseM]

Today is Veterans Day- THANK YOU to our veterans, to those on active duty, and to the parents whose sons and daughters are serving today.


Who Do We Celebrate on Veterans Day?

26.4 million - The number of military veterans in the United States; this is a ratio of about 1-in-8 (or 13 percent) of U.S. civilians 18 and over.

1.6 million - The number of veterans who are women.

9.7 million - The number of veterans who are age 65 or over.

57.4 - Median age of the nation's veterans.

2.6 million - The number of black veterans. Additionally, 1.1 million are Hispanic, 284,000 are Asian and 196,000 are American Indian or Alaska native.

3-in-10 - Vietnam-era veterans account for the largest share of all veterans.

2-in-10 - served during World War II.

7 - Number of states with 1 million or more veterans. These states include California (2.6 million), Florida (1.9 million), Texas (1.8 million), New York (1.4 million), Pennsylvania (1.3 million), Ohio (1.1 million) and Illinois (1.0 million).

17 - Percentage of Alaska civilians 18 and over who are veterans, the highest rate in the country. Veterans account for about 16 percent of the adult population in Montana, Nevada, Wyoming and Maine.

5.6 - The percentage of veterans who live in poverty.

30 - The percentage of veterans who have disabilities

 

[Dave M]

Yes, many thanks to all of our veterans!

For the first time this year, I purchased several Veteran's Day cards and sent them out. My former boss (before I retired this past summer) called me today and thanked me, telling me it was the first such card he had ever received.

 

[ricoba]

Thank you for the post.

When I lived in Canada, I always appreciated the way Canadian's remembered the Vets with the red poppy pins which memorialized "Flanders Fields" and the First World War.

Here is the poem.

Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae

I especially liked how the Canadian's call November 11th, Remembrance Day, as a day to remember all those who have served and died.

The 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month, the remembering of the signing of the armistice in WWI.

 

[swift]

Thank you to all of our Veterans!!​

 

[pcgirl54]

Nice post!

My Dad is 90 and was a POW in WWII. Of those stats I wonder how many are in his age bracket.


Thank You retired and active military who keep us safe. Heartfelt gratitude to the disabled vets and to the families who have lost loved ones.

 

[bigrick]

Thanks for the note about the red poppies. A vet I know used to offer/sell red poppies around Memorial Day. I never knew why this particular flower. Now I do.

 

[McKShr6]

I didn't realize that Americans don't wear red poppies in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day. In Canada we wear a poppy to honour the men and women who served our country. The black in the centre of the poppy represents the people who died in action. Selling poppies is a fund raiser for the Royal Canadian Legion, all the money raised is used to help veterans and provide scholarships for youth.
Do you observe 2 min of silence in the US? At the 11 hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month we observe 2 min of silence to reflect on the sacrifices made by the veterans of all the wars and peacekeeping missions.
I'm always learning something on TUG.

 

[bigrick]

I don't recall ever observing the 2 minutes of silence before. But I think I will do that in the future on Memorial Day and on Veterans' Day. Thanks for the good ideas.

 

[DaveNV]

As a retired, disabled U.S. Navy veteran, I'm honored to have served my country, and to have helped preserve liberty and freedom in the USA, as well as in the various countries we helped during my service. From Viet Nam to Desert Storm, each time my ship deployed to a "hot spot" in the world, I always felt a surge of pride knowing "help was on the way." Whether it was a humanitarian rescue mission, or to demonstrate the might and strength of our nation, I always felt it was the right thing to do. I am grateful for the opportunities the military brought me, and for the wonderful people I met all over the world.

People talk about the sacrifices made by military members, but in my experience, the people back home were the true heroes. Those who kept the home fires burning, who sent the photos and packages of cookies, and who wrote all those letters filled with love and memories of home - YOU were the real heroes. No matter how long we were away, you welcomed us home each time, and helped us integrate back into the real world. You gave us the space we needed to deal with our demons, and you were there for us at every turn. That gift was precious.

On this day, as a Veteran, I sincerely thank you for your support, and I stand and applaud you for all you did for me, and my fellow service members. We couldn't have done it without you.

Dave

 

[Chrisky]

Yes, all veterans worldwide need to be remembered and thanked for their sacrifices.
This year for one of our services, the last surviving Canadian WW1 veteran participated in a service via video. He is 108 years old. What an extraordinary sight to see him.
It's also surprising to note that too many young people do not realize or have any knowledge of what sacrifices were made by young men in WW1 or WW2.

There is an excellent movie, Passchendaele, just released, written,directed and starring Paul Gross about this WW1 battle. It is very authentic in depicting the conditions that existed at that time.

 

[pedro47]

Please always remember the men and women that have served in our Armed Forces.