US Army Corps of Engineers BUILDING STRONG ® Veterans Day – November 11, 2010 Colonel Robert Peterson Commander, Huntington District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
BUILDING STRONG ® What holiday are we celebrating today? A. Veteran’s Day B. Veterans ’ Day C. Veterans Day
BUILDING STRONG ® It’s C. Veterans Day There is no apostrophe, because the word “Veterans” is not possessive - the holiday doesn’t only belong to Veterans, it belongs to every American
BUILDING STRONG ® History of Veterans Day World War I Observance “Armistice” Day
BUILDING STRONG ® “Armistice” Essentially, a truce Signed just after the “Great War” World War I
BUILDING STRONG ® Why November 11? “Armistice Day” went into effect on the 11 th Hour of the 11 th Day of the 11 th Month
BUILDING STRONG ® World War II and the Korean War WWII had required the greatest mobilization of soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen in the Nation’s history By 1954, America had also fought in Korea
BUILDING STRONG ® From “Armistice” to “Veterans” President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law that November 11 would always be commemorated as a day to honor American Veterans of ALL wars
BUILDING STRONG ® Veterans Day 2011 A day to celebrate and honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
BUILDING STRONG ® World War I Total Service members: 4,734,991 Battle Deaths: 53,402 Living Veterans: 1 *Information sources: Department of Veterans Affairs and US Census Bureau
BUILDING STRONG ® World War II Total Service members: 16,112,566 Battle Deaths: 291,557 Living Veterans: 2,079,000 *Information sources: Department of Veterans Affairs and US Census Bureau
BUILDING STRONG ® Korean War Total Service members: 5,720,000 Battle Deaths: 33,739 Living Veterans: 2,507,000 *Information sources: Department of Veterans Affairs and US Census Bureau
BUILDING STRONG ® Vietnam War Total Service members: 8,744,000 Battle Deaths: 47,434 Living Veterans: 7,569,000 *Information sources: Department of Veterans Affairs and HistoryChannel.com
BUILDING STRONG ® Gulf War Total Service members: 2,322,000 Battle Deaths: 148 Living Veterans: 2,254,000 *Information sources: Department of Veterans Affairs and US Census Bureau
BUILDING STRONG ® War on Terror 2001-Present The War on Terror – including Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom – are ongoing. The most recent statistics are available at the Department of Defense website *Information sources: Department of Veterans Affairs
BUILDING STRONG ® Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day Veterans Day ► A day to honor ALL Veterans, living and deceased, for their sacrifices and contributions to the Nation Memorial Day ► A day to honor the men and women who gave their life in service to their Country
BUILDING STRONG ® Life in the Army West Point 25 Year Career (still going)
BUILDING STRONG ® Life in the Army Desert Storm Iraqi Freedom
BUILDING STRONG ® Life in the Army
BUILDING STRONG ® Life in the Army
BUILDING STRONG ® HUNTINGTON DISTRICT US Army Corps of Engineers Dover Dam, OHIOBelleville Lock & Dam
BUILDING STRONG ® Thank a Veteran!
BUILDING STRONG ® Questions ?