STAFFORD — Memorial Day. A day to remember those who served to keep us free.
It was good that students from the school were at the cemetery to help set out flags in the local cemetery. It was good to hear young voices out there performing a service and hopefully realizing the huge number of veterans, just in our small community, that have served to give them the freedoms they enjoy. That made me google how many people have served in the military through U.S. History.
“There is no single, exact historical count of every individual who has served in the U.S. military, but estimates suggest that over 40 to 50 million Americans have served throughout the nation’s history. Because records from the early republic and the 1800s are incomplete, statisticians and military historians look at combined figures from major conflicts, peacetime standing armies, and current population data. Breaking this down reveals the following context:
- Living Veterans: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates there are approximately 16 to 19 million living veterans in the United States today.
- Currently Serving: There are roughly 1.3 million active-duty troops and about 800,000 members in the reserve and National Guard components.
- Historical Service: The vast majority of those who have ever served are no longer living. Tens of millions served during 20th-century conflicts (for example, roughly 16 million served during World War II and over 8 million during the Vietnam War).” Source: Google
According to the VA, there are about 20 million living veterans in the United States today. They did the math and stated that is about 6% of the current population. Some thoughts of LTC (Ret.) Charles (Charlie) Faint on what that might mean:
Pro: The fewer people in the military means more people fueling the economy that fuels the military.
Cons:
- Many people do not relate to veterans because they have never met one.
- Many people in the government who make decisions for the veterans and military have no personal experience with the military. Does this make it easier to put them in harm’s way? Does this make it easier not to see the consequences of war?
- Not as many families have a military tradition.
Larabee Library has many books on the military and its service to America. The women of the local legion donate a new book to our collection each year. Select some books on the military and gain an appreciation for the service they have performed.
Looking ahead
Mr. Bornholdt has been to our backyard to measure and begin Audrey’s Reading Spot. We are so excited to have this project started with an end date and opening on First Friday in August.
Recently Read will be gathering at 5:30 May 26 to share thoughts on books members have read this month. Come join us and be inspired to read!
Library Calendar
- Monday mornings, 10-11 a.m., Preschool Story Hour
- Dungeons & Dragons every Wednesday, 4-6 p.m.
- ESOL with Rachel Sandoval every Wednesday except 2nd Wednesday, 6 p.m.
- Lazy Days of Summer - Book Challenge continues.
- June 8 - 10 a.m., PBS here for Preschool Summer Reading
- June 30 - 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Cheyenne Bottoms K-5 grade Summer Reading
- Aug. 7 - “First Friday Our Town” with free food and opening of new reading spot.
- Read Everyday - Live a Better Life
- Next board meeting: June 10.
Gerry Hildebrand is the head librarian for the Nora Larabee Memorial Library, 108 N. Union St. in Stafford. Phone 620-234-5762, email larabeelibrary@gmail.com or visit Facebook at Nora Larabee Memorial Library. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday; 2-6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.
