Veterans in History posted by Ben on Sunday, July 10th, 2011
While they don’t seek attention, veterans as a group deserve much of the credit for America’s success as a free land. Without brave men and women willing to die for freedom, there is no freedom.
It is the Veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion
It is the Veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the Veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the Veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to assemble.
It is the Veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.
It is the Veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.
It is the Veteran, who salutes the Flag,
It is the Veteran, who serves under the Flag,
To be buried by the flag,
So the protester can burn the flag.
Pennsylvanians have a long and proud history of military service. With more than 10% of the total Medals of Honor ever awarded, Pennsylvania ranks second only to New York. Pennsylvania’s Smedley Darlington Butler is the only person to receive two Medals of Honor for combat action in two different wars. For heroic service during WWII 26 Pennsylvanians received the MOH; while the number for the Korean War and Vietnam War are 8 and 9, respectively. One PA veteran received the medal for combat action in Samolia and the state’s most recent recipient served in Iraq.
According to VA statistics, Pennsylvania had 964,000 veterans on September 30, 2010 of which 708,200 served during wartime—the largest group being Vietnam War veterans (320,400). The number of women veterans increased to 63,600. Of the state’s total veteran population 15,450 were over the age of 90, 149,000 were between 80-89 and 205,800 were between 70-79. There were 455,000 veterans age 50-69, 192,000 between 30-49 and 36,000 under the age of 30. For more VA statistics and reports visit http://www.va.gov/vetdata/
Many entertainers were known more for their movie, singing and TV careers than for their military service including Clint Eastwood, Clark Gable, Humphrey Bogart, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Lee Marvin, Mel Brooks, Eddie Albert, Alan Alda, Montel Williams and Tony Bennett. Sports icons Bob Feller, Yogi Berra, Willie Mays, Pat Tillman, Bobby Jones, Ken Norton, Tom Landry, Ted Williams, David Robinson and Roger Staubach all served their nation. Many former Presidents earned stars and bars in the military including Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter. For more names you’ll know visit http://blog.moviefone.com/2011/04/12/actors-who-served-in-military/,
http://www.military.com/features/0,,78603,00.html and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Presidents_by_military_rank
To all who have served, the Pennsylvania VFW thanks you and stands ready to serve and support you and your family.
“Thank You Veterans” video tributes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruNrdmjcNTc&feature=list_related&playnext=1&list=AVGxdCwVVULXcF1mLs1YVYlKAf0SeCc8R4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pfBUUZNbFM&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooR89Q19RIw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMiZQI16Aio&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJCR_q_0BGY&feature=related
