Today, the nation observes Veterans Day, and across the country, flags are flying at events honoring the men and women who have served their country so we may all live in peace and security.
This holiday has added meaning, with many members of the uniformed services on duty in Afghanistan and Iraq. Originally, the observance was known as Armistice Day and marked the end of World War I. By the time of the Korean War, the name was changed to Veterans Day to include all who had served in the armed forces. There are nearly 23 million veterans in the U.S. The largest number, 7.5 million, served during the Vietnam War, while there are 2.4 million veterans from the Korean War. Surviving World War II vets now number just under 2 million. Find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at census.gov.
