The Passing of the WWII Generation
Every day, memories of World War II—its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs—disappear. Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their 90s or older. They are dying quickly—according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 240,329 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2021.
Honoring the 20th-century veterans’ sacrifice before they pass from the scene is at the forefront of everything we do at The National WWII Museum—from our exhibits, to oral histories, to the Museum’s $400 million capital campaign, a lasting tribute to the war generation.
“There’s no time to lose,” said Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller, President and CEO Emeritus of the Museum. “We want to be able to finish and dedicate our expansion while we still have members of the Greatest Generation to thank for their sacrifice and service to the nation and to show the world what they mean to the principle of freedom.”
The graph below uses statistics from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to emphasize the urgency of our mission. The projections for each year are updated on September 30.
https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/veterans-day-facts
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and November 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime.
Tens of millions of Americans have served in the armed forces since the country’s founding. Read quotes by and about U.S. servicemembers.
https://www.history.com/news/veterans-day-quotes-wars
Since its founding in 1776, the United States has fought in about a dozen major wars—and intervened militarily on hundreds of others—with every generation of Americans witnessing combat in one form or another. As such, tens of millions of Americans have suited up for the armed forces, including some 16 million during World War II alone. These service members include 31 of the 44 presidents.
Well over 1 million Americans have died in warfare, the vast majority in just two conflicts: the Civil War and World War II.
Given their importance to U.S. history, it’s no surprise that veterans have a played hallowed role in the public’s consciousness. Habitually honored at sporting events and on patriotic holidays, especially Veterans Day, the oratory surrounding veterans can be deeply inspiring.
Below are some poignant quotes by and about U.S. veterans.