Veterans Day in the US began life on November 11, 1919. It was originally called Armistice Day, its purpose to mark the end of World War I -- the "war to end all wars." In 1954 the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor all living veterans of our armed forces.
Just a few American veterans of World War I are still alive, all over 100 years old. They're joined by a scattering of centenarians across Europe, Canada and Australia. Very soon, the last living links to it will be gone.
According to the most recent data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs:
■ There are 2.9 million American veterans of World War II still alive. More than 1,000 die each day. Fifteen years from now, based on population and mortality rates, it's estimated the number of members of the Greatest Generation will have dwindled to 115,000.
■ The number of living American veterans of the Korean War is also about 2.9 million, while 7.23 million Vietnam vets are still alive. And 2.27 million veterans of the first Gulf War live among us. There are more than 600,000 living veterans of the Global War on Terror, the official name of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
All told, 23.7 million veterans of the Armed Services are still living. And that's a lot of people to thank. Source: Gary Borders NY Times News Service
Both of our fathers proudly served in World War II, we think they may have even been in some of the same places at the same time. We'd like to think that perhaps they even met a time or two. Rich’s Dad, Charles Kizer, served in the U.S. Army; Georganne’s Dad, William F. Guyan, Sr., served in the U.S. Army Air Forces. And Georganne’s husband, Rob, is a U.S. Marine.
Of course, a blog post isn't much of a way to say thanks, but it's a start. So as we go about our daily lives, planning holiday dinners and Black Friday ads, let's take a moment each day to remember the sacrifices of those who died defending our great Nation, those who survived to keep our country strong, and those who proudly serve today. We could thank them all a million times a day and it would still never be enough.