Interesting information forwarded by Neil Hargrave of the Wasatch 1 Detachment of the Disabled American Veterans. Thanks Neil.
How a Soldier Sees the American FlagDenielle Fisher Many people have family or friends who have served this great country; some have even served in one or more of the various military branches themselves. Either way, everyone who is personally affected by service to the country sees the American flag in a slightly different light, especially soldiers. The flag means something more to them, something deeper. A soldier has a very profound relationship to the flag. It is not merely a banner representing the country, but it is a symbol of all the things that we as a people hold dear - things that only a soldier can apprehend with perfect clarity. FreedomThere is a patch that reads “7% of Americans have worn a U.S. military uniform, keeping our country free for 100% of Americans. I am proud to be one of them.” Regardless of the actual percentage, to any soldier, the red and white and blue means fighting for freedom, the fundamental tenant upon which all our hopes are born, the ideal to which we all subscribe, but sometimes forget to appreciate. The soldier, however never fails to remember it. It is ingrained in them and they remember the cause and their purpose each and every day. Duty and CommitmentThe stars and stripes are the reason so many soldiers dedicate their lives to the service of our country. Seeing the American flag reminds them of the duty and commitment they assumed and endured to ensure the rights of others. For some it was moral obligation, for others a family tradition. Whatever the underlying mentality, the dedication and perseverance undergone is still the same for each soldier. Courage and SacrificeA soldier doing his duty is not exempt from sacrifice. The courage they muster when times are bleak is something many of us will never understand. Bearing the burden they had to bear so someone else didn’t have to, is one of the greatest sacrifices of human kind. Many leave families behind, they face injury and risk death. Yet they do it anyway. A soldier’s bravery should be inspiration to all, but it’s not a conscious thought when we see the American flag. To a soldier it is. Honor and Pride Soldiers will often speak of honor and pride. Most, if not all, will display American flags in some fashion as the flag is a source of both to them. They gladly receive their title regardless of rank, and advertise their membership with clothing, tattoos, bumper stickers and other memorabilia. Soldiers want others to know they are proud to serve and display reminders wherever they can. The aforementioned patch is a prime example of this. Patriotism.Thoughts of patriotism and the legacy are different in each person’s mind but the flag is almost always a part of the dream. Soldiers love the country they serve and have a passion for preserving the core beliefs it was founded on. They strive to protect it, keep it safe and defend its honor. For soldiers the flag means freedom, duty and commitment, sacrifice and courage, honor and pride, and patriotism. Soldiers have an intimate relationship to the American Flag that we as citizens, who experience the joys left in the wake of their sacrifice, can barely comprehend, and never live. American Veterans: By the Numbershttp://www.infoplease.com/spot/veteranscensus1.html 21.5 million The number of military veterans in the United States in 2011.
Other Pacific Islanders, and non-Hispanic whites cover only those reporting a single race.) Source: 2011 American Community Survey The number of veterans 65 and older in 2011. 9.2 million. At the other end of the age spectrum, 1.8 million were younger than 35. When They Served7.5 million
Number of Vietnam-era veterans in 2011: Where They Live3
Number of states with 1 million or more veterans in 2011. These states were California (1.9 million), Florida (1.6 million) and Texas (1.6 million).
Income On the Job 9.1 million
Number of veterans 18 to 64 in the labor force in 2011.
Voting 15.8 million
Number of veterans who voted in the 2008 presidential election. Seventy-one percent of veterans cast a ballot in the presidential election.
Business Owners 9% Percentage of all U.S. nonfarm firms that are majority owned by veterans. Veteran-owned firms comprised an estimated 2.4 million of the 27.1 million nonfarm businesses nationwide in 2007. 75% Percentage of veteran owners of respondent firms who were 55 or older in 2007. This compares with 37 percent of all owners of respondent firms. Similarly, in 2007, 56 percent of veteran-owned respondent firms with employees reported that their businesses were originally established before 1990. This compares with 39 percent of all employer respondent firms. 8% Percentage of veteran owners of respondent firms who were disabled as the result of injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. Read more: Veterans Day: Census Facts | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/veteranscensus1.html#ixzz2ifiWpU8E
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