Since 1919, and a proclamation from President Woodrow Wilson, presidents have honored our veterans.
President Ronald Reagan did so November 10, 1986, at which time he stated:
“On Veterans Day, we take respite from the ordinary business of daily life to pay honor to those who have served in the Armed Forces throughout our nation’s history. It is right that we should meditate upon the principles for which so many Americans have fought — peace, freedom, the sacred and inviolable dignity of all men — principles that still give hope to the nation. But let us above all consider the veterans themselves, the millions of men and women who have given of themselves, even of their lives. Our veterans have come from the grassy plains of Iowa and the streets of Brooklyn. They have spoken with the twang of New England and the drawl of the South, and, often, with the accents of the foreign lands of their birth. And from the time of the Revolution, when black soldiers fought for the American cause, they have represented our country’s diverse ethnic heritage. And they have prevailed, prevailed so that today the United States of America is the greatest nation on Earth.”
Reagan spoke of many of the “differences” we’ve seen in our veterans over the centuries.
Let’s take a look at some of those differences.
Many who fought in the Revolutionary War were immigrants or the children of immigrants, while others were native-born colonists. The Continental Army included both foreign-born individuals who came to fight for the Patriot’s cause and the native-born colonists who considered themselves “Americans”, despite being British subjects. Many came from Europe, the Caribbean and other places to specifically fight for the Patriot cause. The majority were native-born colonists fighting for freedom, even though they were British subjects before 1776.
Over the centuries, millions of immigrants have served in the military, with historical records showing hundreds of thousands served in specific wars like World War I and World War II. In the last century alone, over 760,000 immigrant service members have gained U.S. citizenship through their service.
Fighting in the Civil War, the Union soldiers consisted of more than 20% foreign-born. In WW I about 18% of the U.S. Army, or 500,000 immigrants served. During WW II over 300,000 immigrants served with over 100,000 of them being non-citizens who were later naturalized. (Note: Between 1917 and 2018, 745,212 immigrants have been naturalized through military service.)
In the last 20 years, over 148,000 immigrants have served and earned citizenship. As of 2022, there were nearly 731,000 foreign-born veterans, representing about 4.5% of all U.S. Veterans.
November 11, 1989, while representing President George H.W. Bush, at the Veterans Day National Ceremony, being held in Arlington National Cemetery, U.S. Army General Colin Powell, stated, in part:
“The nation owes a great debt to its veterans, whose service to the nation spans every decade, every year, every day of our country’s existence. Through untold courage and sacrifice, America’s veterans have secured the liberty which the founding fathers sought to establish here in the new world. Whenever and wherever the nation has called — in times of darkness and danger as well as in times of peace and prosperity — America’s veterans have been there. Veterans have proudly carried the torch of liberty for all to see.”
Reagan spoke of the greatness of our veterans in terms of how “all of us,” coming together as one, can achieve great things. Powell spoke to the constant cohesiveness of our military in terms of, “Every day, every year and every decade.”
Both men eloquently, described our veterans, while speaking to how each of us, in some way, are connected to a veteran.
I believe if there is anyone of us who is not sure of their connectedness to a veteran, take the time and search it out, your relationship may even date back to 1776.
A sincere thank you to each and every one who has answered the call.
George B. Graham Jr. is a Rockford resident. He is an author, lifetime associate member of the Korean War Veterans Association, member of the Macon County Historical Society, Macon, Missouri, and member of the Sons of the American Revolution.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Millions of immigrants fought for the U.S and are part of the veterans we thank | Opinion
Reporting by George B. Graham / Rockford Register Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
