1% Of 330 Million

Up until the US ended the Draft in 1973 78% of all Americans (out of a total population of 215 million people) knew someone who had served or was serving in the US Military - not including the Soldiers or Veterans themselves.

Since the Draft ended in 1973 less than 1% of all Americans (out of a total population of 330 million people) know someone who had served or is serving in the US Military - not including the Soldiers or Veterans themselves. 

It's why so little attention is currently paid to Soldiers and Veterans today even though there are an estimated 1,400,000 Active Duty Soldiers (210,000 of those deployed outside the US) and 900,000 Reserve Soldiers. There is also an estimated 18 million Veterans alive today. 

I never served in the US Military, but my Grandfather, Grandmother, several Great-Uncles and my Dad did and my Brother and Nephew currently are. It's why I send care packages, Birthday/Just Because/Chanukah/Christmas cards to Soldiers within the US and those deployed overseas (including warzones) and Birthday/Just Because/Chanukah/Christmas cards to Veterans in group homes, nursing homes, hospice and in their own homes all year long.

Something to think about this Memorial Day weekend (and all year long.)