OVERVIEW OF WHAT A

VETERAN IS By Christine M. Haas, Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center

Spokane, WAPhoto support by Bret Bowers, Public Affairs Officer

Military Background Military Branches

ArmyNavyAir ForceMarinesCoast GuardReservist or National Guard MemberMerchant Marines during WWII

War Era or Period of Service Word War I (4/6/17 to 11/11/18) World War II (12/7/41 to 12/31/46) Korea (6/27/50 to 1/31/55) Cold War Vietnam (8/5/64 to 5/7/75) Gulf War (8/2/90 to 11/11/98) Global War on Terror (OEF/OIF/OND 2001- ) Peace Time

Washington State Veteran Population

Total Population 607,501

Wartime Veterans 464,340

Gulf War 196,265

Vietnam Era 209,476

Korea Conflict 50,790

World War II 33,736

Peacetime 143,161

Female 67,282

Male 540,219

Veteran Population as of 9/30/2012 Reference: http://www1.va.gov/vetdata/Veteran_Population.asp

Veterans do not forget… that they are Veterans and they are Americans!

World War IIDecember 7, 1941 –

December 31, 1946

Total who served in all Armed Forces: 16,112,566

Battle Deaths: 291,557Wounded: : 671,846Medals of Honor: 433

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/worldwar.asp

World War II Fighting occurred on the continents of

Europe, Asia, and Africa and in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Service was carried out under serve winter conditions, in the harshest of deserts, and in the hottest, most humid tropical climates

Those who joined up or were drafted were in the military for the duration

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/worldwar.asp

World War II

Unique Health Risks Cold Injury Prisoners of War Chemical Warfare Agent Experiments Exposure to Nuclear Weapons (Including

Testing or Cleanup)

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/worldwar.asp

Cold War Cold War generally refers to the period

of tension between the U.S. and its allies and the Soviet bloc from the end of World War II in 1945 until the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.

A major fear of the Cold War was nuclear war with associated health concerns about exposure to ionizing radiation.

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/coldwar.asp

Cold War Approximately 200,000 US service

personnel performed occupation duties in Hiroshima and Nagasaki following the atomic bombing of Japan

Similar number of service members participated in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests from 1945 to 1962

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/coldwar.asp

Cold War

Unique Health Risks Nuclear Weapons

Testing (Atomic Veterans)

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/coldwar.asp

Korean WarJune 25, 1950 - July 27, 1953

Total who served in all Armed Forces: 5,720,000

Battle Deaths: 33,741Other Deaths (In Theatre): 2,833Wounded: 103,284Medals of Honor: 131

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/korea.asp

Korean War Cold injuries including frostbite and

immersion (trench) foot constituted a major medical problem for U.S. service person

Cold accounted for 16% of Army non-battle injuries requiring admission

Over 5000 U.S. casualties of cold injury required evacuation from Korea during the winter of 1950-1951

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/korea.asp

Korean WarUnique Health Risks Agent Orange Exposure Cold Injury Chemical Warfare Agent

Experiments Exposure to Nuclear Weapons

(Including Testing or Cleanup)

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/korea.asp

Vietnam WarAugust 4, 1964 - January 27, 1975

Total who served in all Armed Forces: 8,744,000Deployed to Southeast Asia: 3,403,000

Battle Deaths: 47,424Other Deaths (In Theatre): 10,785Wounded: 153,303Medals of Honor: 238Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/vietnam.asp

Vietnam War Vietnam Veterans now 50 to 75 years

old By 2014, 60% of Veterans over the age

65 will be Vietnam Veterans

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/vietnam.asp

Vietnam WarUnique Health Risks Agent Orange Exposure Hepatitis C

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/vietnam.asp

It’s important as Americans to Remember and Honor our Military Veterans!

The best way to thank a Veteran is to simply say… “Thank You”.

Gulf WarThose how served on active duty in Europe, the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey, Persian Gulf, Indian Ocean) and provided support from the Far East and PacificAugust 2, 1990 – November 11, 1998

Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp

Gulf WarUnique Health Risks Chemical or Biological Agents Depleted Uranium (DU) Dermatologic Issues Exposures to Smoke Immunizations Infectious Diseases

(i.e. Leishmaniasis) Reproductive Health Issues Reference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/gulfwar.asp

OEF/OIF/ONDUnique Health Risks Animal Bites/Rabies Combined Penetrating, Blunt Trauma, and Burn Injuries (Blast Injuries) Dermatologic Issues Embedded Fragments (shrapnel) Leishmaniasis Mental Health Issues Multi-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter Reproductive Health Issues Traumatic Amputation Traumatic Brain or Spinal Cord Injury Vision Loss and Hearing LossReference: http://www.va.gov/oaa/pocketcard/oefoif.asp

Veterans are Adults with Unique

Experiences!