Today is Veterans Day, and while many people may think of a day off from work or school and great sales at the mall, this day means far more than that. Online publication Hawaii247.org put out a great post today entitled “Veterans Day 2009: Nov. 11, by the numbers,” and I wanted to share excerpts of this post with you.
Veterans Day was initially called “Armistice Day” and was first recognized on November 11, 1919, also known as the first anniversary of the conclusion of World War I. It was not until 1926, however, that Congress decided that Armistice Day would be observed annually. In 1938, it became a federal holiday, and sixteen years later, President Eisenhower signed legislation that changed the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day – the idea was to honor all veterans, and not just those who served in WWI.
By the numbers
According to the 2008 census, there were 23.2 million military veterans living in the United States. Pretty amazing, isn’t it? 1.8 of these veterans were female; 2.3 million were African American, and 1.1 million were Hispanic. 276,000 of these vets were of Asian descent, and another 160,000 were American Indian or natives of Alaska. 27,000 vets hailed from Hawaii or the Pacific Islands, and 18.3 million identified themselves as Caucasian. What a diverse military we have!
The 2008 census also reports that 9.2 million veterans were age 65 or older – many of these individuals served in World War II [2.6 million, to be exact]. Almost 8 million Vietnam-era vets were reported, which indicates that 33% of all living veterans served between 1964 and 1975. Another 5 million served in the Gulf War. 2.8 million served in the Korean War [1950-53] and 6 million veterans served both overseas and at home during peacetime.
I found it particularly interesting to learn that 50,000 living vets served during both the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. 92,000 living vets served during WWII, the Korean War and the Gulf War. Talk about dedication to our great country!
In five states – New York, California, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania – there were more than 1 million living veterans. California reported the highest number of veteran citizens. There were 10.4 million veterans that reported that they had a full-time job in 2008. However, almost 6 million reported that they were disabled, and 3.4 of these vets claimed that their disability was related to their military service. Just about 15% of business owners in the United States are veterans – support vet-owned businesses! – and almost 70% of these business owners were older than 55. Our veterans are certainly contributing to our economy.
In the 2008 presidential election, almost 16 million of our vets went out and voted – 71% of all veterans living in the United States voted, compared to about 60% of non-veterans. I think that says quite a bit about the involvement of our veterans in public affairs and politics.
When it comes to veteran benefits, about 3 million have received compensation following a service-related disability or injury. The total cost of veteran compensation was approximately $36 billion in 2008. The federal government spent almost $85 billion on veteran-related programs last year, with the majority going towards compensation and VA benefits. The rest went towards general veteran medical programs and vocational training/education.
The numbers don’t lie: veterans have an undeniable presence here in the United States. Today is a day to thank veterans for their service. Unfortunately, it is also a day to consider the shortcomings of veteran care here in our country.
One of these shortcomings involves veteran healthcare. Many of our vets are facing health problems as a result of exposures during their active military service. Veterans who were exposed to asbestos on board naval ships, for example, are at a heightened risk of developing mesothelioma cancer, a fatal disease that lies dormant for up to fifty years and typically strikes vets between the ages of 55 and 75. WWII vets and those who served during the Korean War are among the most at risk of developing asbestos mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma can manifest within the lining of the lungs [the pleura], the lining of the abdomen [the peritoneum] and in few cases, the lining of the heart [the pericardium]. Mesothelioma symptoms are similar to those of the flu; many individuals mistake these symptoms, including cough, fatigue and trouble breathing, with something other than mesothelioma. Once diagnosed, veterans have few options when it comes to mesothelioma treatment. Oncologists typically recommend chemotherapy, radiation, and in some instances, surgery. There is no known mesothelioma cure.
Veterans generally receive care from the best mesothelioma doctors at a non-VA hospital or cancer center. Unfortunately, the majority of mesothelioma patients lose their battle with this disease in less than 24 months following diagnosis.
While those who were exposed to asbestos several years ago may not be able to prevent the development of mesothelioma, we can all make an effort to educate ourselves and others about the consequences of asbestos exposure. In many cases, early mesothelioma detection can prolong a patient’s life by several months or even years.
A Veterans Day tribute
As we honor vets today, think about the following quotes. Share them with the veteran in your life; pass them along in an email to friends and family – and make sure to take a moment today to reflect on how the sacrifices of our veterans have impacted your life.
“In war, there are no unwounded soldiers” – Jose Narosky
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long it is the home of the brave” – Elmer Davis
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them” – John Fitzgerald Kennedy
