Census stats show changing makeup of vets

We knew that a visit to the traveling Vietnam Wall would be a moving experience, but we were surprised at just how much it was, for those who remember the tumult of that era, for those who served there and especially for those who lost friends or loved ones.

We hope you took time to visit the display at Weiland Field, but if you didn't, there's another experience available that will be just as moving.

Memorial Day services are set for 10:30 a.m. Monday at the veterans memorial in Memorial Park Cemetery in McCook, in the flag-surrounded Culbertson cemetery at 10 a.m., and in many other cemeteries around the region.

While the visit of the wall replica rightfully spotlighted those lost in Vietnam, Monday's ceremonies will focus on those who gave their lives in all wars.

We're sure a large portion of the people who turn out at Monday's ceremonies will be survivors of those conflicts.

Just who will they be?

If they're among the 1.8 million living veterans who served in World War II, they average 87 years old, 4.4 percent are female and 13.6 percent have a service-related disability.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Korean War veterans number 2.5 million, are 80 years old, 2.3 percent female and 12.2 percent have a service-related disability.

Later wars reflect the changing makeup of our military, as well as the increasing proportion of veterans who have disabilities.

Some 2.9 percent of Vietnam era veterans are female, they average 64 years old and 20.2 percent are disabled. Gulf War-era vets average 43 years old, number 3.5 million, are 14.7 percent female and 27.2 percent disabled. Some 2.5 million veterans served in the post-9/11 era, 17.3 percent are female, they average 32 years old and 26.7 percent are disabled.

We hope you plan the service closest to your home, and take time to personally thank the veteran at your side.

A graphic of Census data on today's veterans can be viewed here.