WASHINGTON – On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, all Americans should take a few moments to remember the sacrifices of the men and women who have served in uniform.
“During times of challenge throughout our history, men and women have stepped forward to defend our freedom. They’re doing that today,” said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs. “The people of this country understand, appreciate, and respect that sacrifice.”
On Veterans Day, Nicholson will join with President Bush, members of Congress and the leaders of the nation’s major veterans groups for the traditional wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery.
Local commemorative events are being hosted at many of VA’s 122 national cemeteries, 158 medical centers and 23 special Veterans Day regional sites across the country.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs is the agent of the American people in taking care of our veterans,” Nicholson added. “Our programs are a tangible manifestation of the country’s appreciation.”
This fiscal year, VA expects to provide health care to 5. 2 million patients, disability pay to 2.7 million, survivors benefits to nearly 350,000, educational assistance to 500,000, home loan guarantees to about 300,000, vocational rehabilitation to 100,000, insurance coverage to 7.2 million, burials to more than 100,000 and headstones to 350,000.
About 24.3 million veterans are still alive. Since the nation’s founding, more than 50 million people have served in the military, with 1.2 million deaths during wartime.
More information about Veterans Day, including an audio sound-clip by Secretary Nicholson, is posted on VA’s Internet at www.va.gov/opa/vetsday.
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Reporters and media outlets with questions or comments should contact the Office of Media Relations at vapublicaffairs@va.gov
Veterans with questions about their health care and benefits (including GI Bill). Questions, updates and documents can be submitted online.
Veterans can also use our chatbot to get information about VA benefits and services. The chatbot won’t connect you with a person, but it can show you where to go on VA.gov to find answers to some common questions.
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