During Veterans Day ceremonies in Jamestown on Monday, Bill Johnston, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 53 commander, took note of how few of his fellow Vietnam veterans are part of services like Monday’s.

“The generation before my time (Vietnam) is almost all gone. The World War II men and women are and were a national treasure, but they’re all almost gone. My generation is dying out. We need the next generation of veterans – Iraq and Afghanistan, War on Terror vets – to come out and join us. Join a veteran service agency. Protect our rights and carry on our proud traditions.”

A special ceremony was held at Jamestown Veterans Memorial Park along West Third Street and Logan Avenue to honor those who served.

“It is important to remember our brothers and sisters that served and are serving now,” Johnston said.

U.S. military veteran bugler and honor guard provide a 21 Gun Salute in honor of all the military veterans of the United States at a special Veterans Day service held at Jamestown Veterans Memorial Park along West Third Street and Logan Avenue Monday morning.

During the event, a white cross memorial was displayed, along with various American Legion members and VFW representatives saying a few words and presenting flowers behind the cross. A veteran played Taps, and an honor guard presented a 21 Gun Salute to close the ceremony out.

“My father was a Vietnam veteran, a Marine, and several of my family members have served,” said County Executive PJ Wendel. “It is important to me that we honor. … and remember all that have served and paid the ultimate price.”

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church continued its decades-long tradition of hosting a special Veterans Day Remembrance Service, with special guest speaker, former Chautauqua County Executive and United States Air Force (Veteran) Colonel, Vince Horrigan.

“We especially remember all who gave their lives in the defense of our nation,” said the Rev. Luke Fodor of St. Luke’s. “We offer our appreciation to the members of the Ira Lou Spring Post 149 in sponsoring this Veterans’ Day service and are proud to join them in offering it to our community.”

Jamestown Elks Lodge 263 also continued its more than 100-year-old tradition of serving a free breakfast to veterans on Monday.

U.S. military veterans provide the color guard for the flag and the state flag of New York, during a Veterans Day service Monday, held at Jamestown Veterans Memorial Park along West Third Street and Logan Avenue. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

According to pewresearch.org, there are more than 18 million living veterans in the United States representing about 6% of the country’s adult population. That includes:

– Veterans who served in the last 30 years make up the largest number of living veterans.

– 7.8 million living U.S. veterans, or 43%, served in the Gulf War era.

– 5.6 million living veterans (30%) served during the Vietnam War era from 1950 to 1973.

– Around 767,000 veterans who served during the Korean conflict in the 1940s and 1950s are alive today. They make up 4% of all living veterans.

– Fewer than 120,000 World War II veterans are alive today, making up less than 1% of all living veterans.

– As of 2023, roughly three-quarters (78%) of veterans served during wartime, and 22% served during peacetime.

However, according to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, the share of the U.S. population with military experience has declined drastically over the years. In 1980, about 18% of U.S. adults were veterans, but that share fell to 6% in 2022. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs projects that the number of living veterans will continue to decline over the next 25 years. The department estimates that the number of veterans will drop from today’s 18.3 million to 12.1 million in 2048 – a decrease of about 34%. By then, Gulf War-era veterans are projected to make up the majority of living veterans.

“I’m not surprised,” said Johnston. “It’s imperative that we get more veterans now more than ever before.”