Veterans Day 2009

Honoring Service & Sacrifice

Debra DrummondWMA National Membership Secretary

SE Michigan Veterans Stand Down Board Member

Marine Corps League Detachment 162 Adjutant

National Marine Corps Business Network

Michigan Honor Flight Volunteer

Marines in Business

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Brief History of Veterans Day

• The Treaty of Versailles signed on June 28, 1919 in Versailles, France based on an armistice seven months earlier that went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “The War to End All Wars”

• November 11, 1919 – Armistice Day first commemo-rated as proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson

• 1938 – Armistice Day designated a legal holiday, dedicated to world peace & to honor veterans of WWI

• 1954 – Name changed to Veterans Day, a day to honor American veterans of all wars

• 1968 – After brief change as a result of the “Holiday Bill”, Veterans Day reverts back to celebrating on November 11th

November 11th We…

• Celebrate the historical significance of November 11th

• Honor all American veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good

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Quick Vet Stats

• There are about 23.8 million veterans

• There are 1.8 million women veterans (7.5%)

• 39.4% of veteran population is over 65 years old

• ~2.6 million living WWII vets

– Dying at a rate of over 1,200-2,000/day

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Michigan Veteran Facts

• State of Michigan has nearly 750,000 Veterans of which 6% are female

• There are 53 POW/MIAs from Michigan still missing

• There are nearly 1,100 different Veterans organizations in the State

• Due to budget cuts, the State of Michigan is looking to cut funding for some veteran services

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VSOs

• AMVETS / DAV

• American Legion

• American Red Cross

• Veterans of Foreign Wars

• Vietnam Veterans of America

• Women Marines Association

• Marine Corps League

• …and hundreds of others6

Local Marine Organizations

• Marine Corps League– To promote Camaraderie

among all Marines & perform community service

– Raise money through monthly steak dinners from March through October

– Provide education and other services

• Women Marines Association– Operation Caring Friends

– Operation Holiday Joy

– Fallen Warrior Women Marine Memorial Scholarship Fund

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First All Women Air Squadron in Gulf; Reserve

Refueling Group, 2003 over Baghdad

Lioness Soldiers & Marines are on the front lines because male

Soldiers & Marines cannot, for religious &

cultural reasons, search Muslim

women 88 Women Marines Have Been KIA since 9/11

South East Michigan Veterans Stand Down

“Giving Veterans A Hand Up, Not A Hand Out”

• A secure place where homeless vetscan be with other vets and rest from the stress of the homeless streets

• We bring service providers all underone roof so the vets have access to services like the VA, Secretary of State,Social Security, health screenings, employment services, vocational rehab, and many others

• Attendees are provided entertainment, given a warm lunch, and veterans are issued clothing and a sack lunch at the conclusion

• 501©3 organization which requires more than $25,000 in contributions

• 472 Veterans attended the October 2009 event (3.7% female) 9

Honor Flight Michigan

• World War II Veteran recognition by providing flights to Washington DCto see the World War IIMemorial and ArlingtonCemetary

• They will only be doing1-2 more flights so tellany WWII vets you know

• Information & applications @ HonorFlightMichigan.com

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Michigan’s Own Military & Space Museum

• Founded in Frankenmuth by Stan Bozich, a retired Royal Oak Firefighter

• “A museum of the faces & heroic stories of Michigan’s bravest veterans who fought, and often died in the line of duty, serving their country”

• Amazing showcases of Michigan heroes from the Spanish American War to the War on Terrorism including Medal of Honor and Cross recipients, veteran Governors & astronauts

• Whether or not you’re a veteran, you will be moved by this wonderful Museum! 11

In closing…A Poem by

Father Denis

Edward O’Brien, USMC

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