Veterans Day History

Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day, a U.S. public holiday in May; Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day honors those who died while in military service.

A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning "old") is a person who has had long service or experience in a particular occupation or field. A military veteran is a person who has served or is serving in the armed forces.

Numbers: 21 Million veterans

2 Million women veterans

6.5% of U.S. population (1% Women; 12% men)

820,000 PA veterans

Of 16 million WW2 vets, 620,000 still alive

12 major wars; numerous smaller conflicts

407,300 US military killed in WW II

73,000 buried in 12 European Cemeteries

50 % of male veterans over 75 are veterans

3.4% of 18-34 year old males are veterans

Size of Current Military

• 1.3 million active duty serving in all branches

• 865,000 reserves

• Army 476,000

• Marines 182,000

• Navy 326,000

• Air Force 318,000

Vietnam: Those Who Served

• 2,710,276 served in-country

• 1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census figures).

• During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served was: 9,492,958.

Vietnam Facts

Servicemen who went to Vietnam from well-to-do areas had a slightly elevated risk of dying because they were more likely to be pilots or infantry officers.

Vietnam Veterans were the best educated forces our nation had ever sent into combat.

79% had a high school education or better.

Each Veterans Day, members of the post speak at Doylestown retirement homes about the history of Veterans Day and provide certificates to veterans at those homes and assisted living facilities. Post members also speak about their experiences to students at CB West, Lenape Middle School, and other Bucks County schools about their military experiences.