by Kim Andereck
In April, I attended a business leadership conference in Phoenix. Of the 2,000 chain restaurant executives, about 70 percent were men and 30 percent women. Most were between the ages of 40 and 60.
The keynote speaker was an Air Force F-16 fighter pilot. Major Dan Rooney offered a few opening remarks and explained the importance of the military in defending our freedom.
Then Major Rooney said, “I think we should honor the men and women in this room who served. Will all veterans please stand and be recognized.”
As a Vietnam veteran myself, I rose to my feet.
The audience applauded. But, I was startled; perplexed.
As I looked around the room, only about 25 people were standing up; twenty-five out of 2,000. Puzzled, I leaned down to the fellow who was sitting next to me and asked, “Did he say for veterans to stand up?”
“Yes, if you’re veteran, stand up.”
So I stood there with a handful of other guys until the applause died down and I could take my seat.
Why was I perplexed? Why was I puzzled?
As a boy, I attended services at the old First Christian Church on 13th Street in Trenton. On Veteran’s Day or Fourth of July or Memorial Day, Rev. Todd would call for all veterans to stand. Half the congregation rose to its feet. World War II veterans, Korean War vets and a handful of old birds from World War I. Men and women, both, all standing.
Back then, just about everyone had served. In 1945, over 12 million Americans were in military service, representing 9 percent of the U. S. population. In 1975, 8.7 million had served during the Vietnam era, i.e. 4 percent of the population.
By 2017, most business folks in their 60’s had retired or been mustered out of corporate leadership roles. And most of the younger people in the audience didn’t serve at all. So, I guess it shouldn’t have been a surprise that only 25 out of 2,000 were standing up in Phoenix that day; about 1 percent of the audience.
Today, 0.4 percent of the American population serves in the U.S. armed forces. That is only 1.4 million soldiers, sailors and airmen in uniform.
So what does it all mean?
It means there are just 1.4 million brave men and women standing post tonight, defending 325 million Americans from a very angry and dangerous world.
Fifty years from now, one of those souls will be sitting in a conference room in Phoenix. And when the call goes out for veterans to rise and be recognized, he or she may very well be the only one standing amid 2,000 safe and secure citizens.
God bless our tiny force of brave fighting men and women. And we pray for safe passage.
Safe passage to Phoenix.
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