Do You know Anybody?
Less than one percent. That’s less than 1%. For those of us who have served in the military, it’s hard to image that there are so few of us who served in the War on Terror (Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq). Even though the War on Terror lasted for 20 years (actually, we still have troops in Syria and Iraq), less than one percent of Americans saw combat duty during these operations.
This pales in comparison to other conflicts. For instance, considering both the North and the South, about 10% of the population served in the Civil War, which lasted for approximately four years. World War One, which the U.S. was involved in for about one year and eight months still saw close to 4.6% of the population serve in the Armed Forces. During World War Two, about 11.2% of the population served in combat, which lasted for approximately three years and nine months. During the Korean War about 4.2% of the population served during the three years of hostilities (this war is technically still on-going as hostilities ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty). During the eight years of open hostility in the Vietnam War, approximately 4.3% of the population served in combat.
Not only do we have a situation where many, maybe even most Americans, do not personally know anyone who served in combat, a majority don’t even know how long we were fighting in the War on Terror. According to an article in the Military Times, dated November 9, 2021, only 35 percent could point to September 11, 2001, as the start of the War on Terror. Almost a quarter of those polled thought the war had been going on for more than 30 years and another 39 percent had no idea how long the conflict had lasted.
This is why it is so important for every combat Veteran to join service organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. Congress listens to numbers, and as older Veterans pass on, these organizations need every possible member so they can ensure that Congress keeps the promises it made to our Service Members.
This is why it is important that ordinary citizens support our Armed Forces. It isn’t enough to simply say, “Thank you for your service” when you see a Veteran, everyone needs to support our Service Members by supporting the organizations that care for Veterans, Service Members, and their families. This is why Peace Mountain Ranch exists, to help Service Members and Veterans who have borne the brunt of the battle and carry the scars, both visible and invisible, of their service. We cannot help Veterans without your support, whether it is in praying for us, volunteering to help, or by providing critical financial support. Reach out and help Veterans, be one of the ones who can answer “I do” when asked, do you know a Veteran?
