Honoring Veterans

Each year on Nov. 11, we declare Veterans Day to honor our veterans. Yet the vast majority of our young people — and many adults as well — seem oblivious to our veterans and the meaning of the day. This year, join me in making Veterans Day mean more than just another day off from school and work.

As we approach Nov. 11, please consider these statistics:

– Currently we have 23 million veterans (about 7 percent of the total population of the U.S.)

– 1.8 percent of veterans are women, with 245,000 having served in Iraq and Afghanistan

– 3.1 million veterans receive some type of disability benefit. (Currently 280,300 receive 100 percent Veterans Affairs disability)

– 960 veterans are amputees from the Iraqi and Afghan wars alone

– 306,000 veterans currently suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder
War casualties in our generation:

– Iraq War deaths: 4,426

– Afghan War deaths: 2,095

– Vietnam War deaths: 58,000 (Source: Department of Veterans Affairs)

We can never repay the debt owed to America’s veterans for their service and for the sacrifices made by these young Americans. On Nov. 11, seek out a veteran — regardless of whether you know them or not — and consider treating them to lunch, a hug or handshake and a heartfelt “Thank you.” This would be a good start.

James W. Anderson
United States Air Force
(Southeast Asia, 1967–1968)
Talladega, Ala.