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Emotional Wellbeing | November 8, 2024
As we approach Veterans Day, it’s important to take a moment and recognize a remarkable group of people who helped defend and shape our country – seniors.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly half of all veterans are at least 65 years old, and their valor, resilience, and selfless spirit continue to inspire us all. Let’s take some time to learn more about the history of this special holiday, and how we can continue to celebrate all the aging veterans who gave so much to this country.
While the first official Veterans Day was in 1954, the holiday’s origins date back decades earlier when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Nov. 11, 1919 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. This date marked the first anniversary of when the Allies and Germany agreed to end military operations and work on an official peace treaty for World War I. In 1938, Nov. 11 was declared a legal holiday to honor the veterans of World War I.
Over time, there was a movement to have Armistice Day represent all Veterans instead of just those who fought in WWI. World War II veteran Raymond Weeks personally petitioned then Army Chief of Staff, General Dwight D. Eisenhower to adopt this change, and Weeks’ hometown of Birmingham, Alabama held the first official Veterans Day in 1947.
Weeks’ idea gained popularity, and U.S. Representative Ed Rees of Kansas presented a bill to Congress proposing a national shift from Armistice Day to Veterans Day. The bill was signed into law on May 26, 1954. Appropriately, President Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation later that year, seven years after Weeks first came to him about adopting the holiday that we know today.
The U.S. Census Bureau report estimates that there are 8.1 million veterans who are 65 years or older. These veterans served over the course of several decades. In fact, a 2023 Pew Research Center survey reported how many living veterans served in each war.
Something else the Census report discovered was that the number of older veterans has declined in the past few decades. The number of veterans aged 65 or older dropped from 9.7 million to 8.1 million since 2000, but seniors make up a higher percentage of total veterans. This trend is largely because there were simply more active military members in the 1950s, ’60s, and ‘70s and fewer younger veterans joining their ranks in recent years.
While veterans bravely served their country in the past, they can face other challenges in the future. A study in the National Library of Medicine found that 56.9% of veterans reported feeling lonely, which is why our continued support can make a world of difference for these seniors. Here are a few meaningful ways that you can honor and celebrate our senior veterans.
Do you know a senior veteran who is in need? National Church Residences has more than 300 housing communities in 25 states to help seniors find the right place where they can live their ideal lifestyle and stay connected. Find a community that’s close to you or give us a call at 844-465-6063 to talk to one of our friendly staff members today.
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