EDITORIAL: Appreciating our veterans 365 days a year
Today we honor our nation's 22 million veterans. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, they come from every state in the Union — 690,208 live here in Georgia — spanning five wars and the periods of peacetime in-between. Georgia has more veterans than any state in the South with the exception of North Carolina (724,295) and Florida $1,569,406).
Who are these brave souls? About 45 percent are 65 years old or older. They served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam. In Georgia, about 35 percent are 65 or older.
Those who served in WWII, about 16 million, are dying at a rate, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs, of 492 a day, meaning most, if not all, will be gone before 2020. There are only about 34,000 WWII vets left in the Peach State. While we can't do anything to lengthen life spans, there are other statistics that are not so pretty we can do something about.
The unemployment rate for veterans is 7.6 percent, 2.3 percent higher than the general public.
There are 49,865 homeless veterans nationwide.
Roughly 10 percent of the inmates awaiting execution served in our military. Some of them, according to the Death Penalty Information Center suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Many of the vets with PTSD do not receive the help they need.
5 percent of Georgia vets have a household income of less than $10,000.
What can we do besides honoring veterans for their service this one day out of 365? CNN listed simple ways to help a vet.
Give a vet a ride
Medical care may be needed for some veterans for the rest of their lives. Disabled American Veterans provides free transportation to men and women who can't travel to Veterans Affairs medical facilities on their own. You can volunteer to drive a van for those who need a lift.
Donate frequent flier miles
Fisher House Foundation operates the Hero Miles Program, using donated frequent flier miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members.
Buy veteran-friendly holiday cards
Your holiday card purchase this year can help veterans dealing with PTSD and other similar issues.
Help build a home for injured vets
Homes are provided by Homes for Our Troops at no cost to the veterans. The group is able to do so through fundraisers and donations.
Keep veterans off the streets
Stand Downs are usually one- to three-day events to provide food, shelter, clothing and health screenings to homeless and unemployed veterans. To find a Stand Down program in your community, contact your local VA hospital in the VA Medical Center Directory.
Help them take flight
The Honor Flight Network helps veterans of the "greatest generation" make a free pilgrimage to the World War II Memorial on the National Mall in Washington. You can volunteer to escort these men and women on the flight to see this memorial.
Say "Thank You"
If you know a veteran or see someone in a military uniform, say something. It may make his or her day and yours.
Make a veteran's day today and everyday in Middle Georgia. Remember, EDIMGIAFAD.
This story was originally published November 10, 2015 at 10:27 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: Appreciating our veterans 365 days a year."