The 5.9% Who Served: Why Every Veteran's Story Matters

Wendy & Rich 0:01
Coming to you from the Freedom Federal Credit Union Studios, Hartford County Living presents, Conversations with Rich Bennett. 

Rich Bennett 0:27
Did you know that according to the latest figures from the United States Census Bureau, only 5.9% of American civilian adults are military veterans? Think about that for a moment. 5.9%, that's approximately one out of every 17 civilian adults in this country. According to the Census Bureau's 2025 American Community Survey, approximately 15.7 million Americans are military veterans. 15.7 million people who answered the call to serve their country. Here's something I want you to think about. Those numbers represent more than military service. They represent people. People with families, friendships, dreams, careers and stories that deserve to be heard. Some served during wartime, others served during peacetime. Some served for a few years while others dedicated decades of their lives to the military. Some served overseas, others served right here at home. But they all have something in common. At some point in their lives, they made a commitment to serve their country. And that commitment became part of their story. Welcome to Conversations with Rich Bennett. I'm Rich Bennett and today we're recognizing veterans day. Now, if you've listened to this podcast for a while, you probably know that I'm a Marine Corps veteran. And yes, I'm proud to be a Marine. Once a Marine, always a Marine. But today isn't just about the Marine Corps. It's about every branch of our military and the men and women who have served. It's about what military service teaches us. The friendships it creates. The families who support those who serve. And the contributions veterans continue making long after their military careers end. And I want to talk about something else. How we as Americans can do a better job of recognizing veterans listening to their stories and carrying forward the values of service. So whether you're a veteran yourself, have a veteran in your family, or simply went to understand what veterans day means. I'm glad you're joining me. So let's get into it. What does 5.9% really represent? I want to start with that statistic again. 5.9%. According to the Census Bureau, that's the percentage of America's civilian adult population who were military veterans in 2025. Approximately 15.7 million people. Now, depending on which government agency you look at, you might see different numbers. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics uses a different survey and estimates approximately 7.3 million veterans. That's why it's important to know where statistics come from. And for this conversation, I'm using the Census Bureau's 2025 American Community Survey. But regardless of which estimate you use, there's something remarkable about these numbers. Millions of Americans have experienced military service while the overwhelming majority of Americans have not. And that means many people may not fully understand what military service involves. Now, I'm not saying you have to serve in the military to appreciate someone who has. Not at all. But I do think understanding military service can help us appreciate the people behind the uniforms. Because serving in the military is about a lot more than what we see in movies or on television. There are countless jobs and responsibilities within the military. You've got people maintaining the aircraft. People operating ships. People providing medical care. People working in communications, logistics, intelligence, engineering, and administration. And of course, people serving in combat roles. Every one of those jobs contributes to the mission. There's something I learned through military service. It takes teamwork. It takes trust. And it takes people understanding that their responsibilities affect somebody else. I think that's a lesson we can all apply to everyday life. Because whether you're running a business, volunteering with a nonprofit, raising the family, or working with others in your community, teamwork matters. And sometimes the greatest accomplishments happen when people put a shared mission ahead of individual recognition. Now. Let me talk about my own military background for a moment. I'm a Marine Corps veteran and very proud of it. There's a reason Marines say once a Marine, always a Marine. It's more than the same. It's connection is something that becomes part of your identity. But here's something I want people to understand. Not every veteran has the same military experience. Even veterans who served in the same branch can have completely different stories. Some people join because wanted to serve their country. Others wanted to travel, learn and trade, gain experience, or create opportunities for their future. And for many, it's probably a combination of reasons. I think that's important because sometimes people assume they already know a veteran story. They see the military branch. They hear the years of service. And they think they understand what the person's experience must have been like. But they know necessarily no. It's one of the things I love about hosting this podcast. I get to hear people's stories. And after all these years of podcasting, I've learned something. Everybody has a story. And sometimes the most meaningful stories come from people who never expected anyone to be interested in hearing them. That's especially true when it comes to veterans. You might be sitting next to somebody at a restaurant, standing at line at a grocery store or talking with someone at a community event. And that person might have an incredible military story. Maybe they served overseas. Maybe they helped save lives. Maybe they worked behind the scenes on an important mission. Or maybe their memory is simply the friendships they make. You don't know until you get to know the person. And even then, it's important to remember that some veterans enjoy sharing their military experiences while others prefer to keep those memories private. Both deserve respect. Here's another interesting fact from The Census Bureau. According to its 2025 figures, approximately 30.5% of American veterans were aged 75 or older. That's nearly one out of every three veterans. Now think about the history those men and women have witnessed. Many served during the Vietnam era or earlier periods. Their experiences are part of living American history. And here's number, only 8.4% of veterans were younger than 35. So we're talking about a veteran population that spans generations. Different errors, different technologies, different missions, different experiences, but all connected through military service. The Census Bureau also reports that approximately 31.4% of veterans served during the post September 11 period. That's another reminder of how many different generations have answered to call. And something else stands out to me. As time goes on, we have fewer opportunities to hear first-hand stories from our oldest veterans. That's why I believe listening to those stories is so important. Imagine sitting down with a who served decades ago. Think about what they might tell you. What was military life like? What did they learn? Who were their closest friends? How did their service influence the rest of their life? Those are conversations worth having and they don't have to be formal interviews. Sometimes all it takes is a cup of coffee and a willingness to listen. You might discover something about American history that you never learned in school. And even more importantly, you might discover something remarkable about the person sitting across from you. Let's talk about one of my favorite aspects of military service. The friendships. Now, if you're a veteran listening to this, I have a feeling you know exactly what I'm talking about. Military friendships can be pretty special. Think about it. You bring together people from over the country, different hometowns, different backgrounds, different personalities, people who might never have met under ordinary circumstances. And suddenly, they're training together, working together, and depending on one another. You learn to trust people. You learn to work as a team. And you learn that the person beside you matters. Sometimes those friendships continue long after military service ends. You might go years without seeing someone you served with. Then you reconnect, and before you know it, you're talking and laughing like you were together yesterday. That is something special. And I think there's a lesson in that for everybody. We don't have to come from the same background to expect each other. We don't have to agree on everything to work together. And we don't have to be exactly alike to build meaningful friendships. Sometimes, the strongest relationships come from people who learned to appreciate their differences while working towards something they believe in. Imagine what our communities could accomplish if we applied more of that spirit to everyday life. Now, I want to recognize another important group of people, military families. Because when someone serves in the military, their family experiences that commitment in its own way. Think about military spouses. They may have to manage a household, while their husband or wife is deployed. Think about children who move from one community to another because of military assignments. Think about parents watching their sons and daughters leave home for training or deployment. Think about the families who provide encouragement, support, and stability through all of those experiences. Military families make important contributions and those contributions deserve recognition. Sometimes we focus so much on the person we're in the uniform that we forget about the people supporting them. So, to every military spouse, parent, child, and loved one listening, thank you. Your encouragement and dedication matter, and I hope you know how much you appreciate it. Now, this is something I'm especially passionate about. Just because somebody leaves the military doesn't mean their desire to serve others' disappears. In fact, for many veterans, their next chapter becomes another opportunity to make a difference. Think about the veterans in your community. Some become business owners. Some become teachers. Some become first responders. And some actually enter health care. Others become non-profit leaders, mentors, coaches, or volunteers. And some simply become the neighbors who are always willing to lend a helping hand. Through Hartford County Living, the podcast and my involvement in community organizations, I've had opportunities to meet people doing remarkable things. And many of those people have military backgrounds. That's one reason I believe veterans' day should be about more than remembering somebody's military service. We should also recognize what veterans are doing today. Because their contributions didn't necessarily end when they took off the uniform. They may have simply taken on a different mission. Maybe that mission is helping young people. Maybe it's built in a successful business. Maybe it's supporting a non-profit. Or maybe it's volunteering at a local event. Or maybe it's being there for somebody who needs a friend. Here's an original quote I want to share. The same dedication that serves a nation can transform a neighborhood. I believe that. And I believe our communities become stronger when people continue looking for ways to serve others. Here's something else worth discussing. Leadership. Military service can teach people valuable lessons about responsibility, accountability, teamwork, and perseverance. And those lessons can be useful long after someone leaves the military. And that doesn't mean every veteran automatically becomes a great leader. Leadership is something people continue developing through their lives. But military service can provide experiences that help build their skills. One of the most important lessons is understanding that leadership isn't just about being in charge. It's about being responsible. It's about setting an example. It's about looking out for the people around you. And sometimes it's about doing the right thing even when nobody is watching. Those lessons apply to businesses. They apply to families. They apply to nonprofits. And they apply to communities. I've always believed that some of the best leaders are people who understand the importance of serving others. Because leadership isn't simply about a title. It's about the difference you make. And that's something veterans can continue demonstrating throughout their lives. Now let's talk about the history of Veterans Day. Because there's a reason we recognize it on November 11th. Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day, which a lot of people know. On November 11th, 1918, an armistice brought an end to fighting in World War I. It took effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In 1938, Armistice Day became a federal holiday. Then, in 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing its name to Veterans Day. The purpose was to recognize American veterans of all wars. And today, Veterans Day honors those who served during both wartime and peacetime. Now, I also want to explain something because I think it's important. Veterans Day and Memorial Day are different. Memorial Day is specifically dedicated to remembering and honoring those who died while serving in the United States military. Veterans Day recognizes all military veterans living and deceased. Both are important. Both these are respect. But Veterans Day gives us a special opportunity to thank the veterans who are still here with us. And that's something I hope more people will take advantage of. Because sometimes the best way to honor somebody is to let them know they're appreciated while you still have the opportunity. 

that appreciation a little further. Instead of stopping at those five words, consider starting the conversation. Ask a veteran what branch they served. Ask what they enjoyed most about their military experience. Ask about the friendships they made. Ask what lessons they carried into civilian life. And then listen. Of course, not every veteran wants to talk about their military experiences, and that's perfectly fine. Respect their wishes. But as someone is comfortable sharing, give them the opportunity. You might learn something you never expected. You might hear a funny story. You might learn about an interesting place. Or you might discover how particular experience changed that person's outlook on life. And here's another way to honor veterans. Support veteran and businesses. Support organizations that help veterans and military families. Volunteer. Attend community events that recognize military service. And if you know a veteran who is doing something positive in your community, help spread the word. That's something I encourage people to do through Hartford County living. Let's recognize that people make a difference. Let's celebrate the good they're doing. And let's give others a reason to be inspired by their example. Now, I want to speak directly to my fellow veterans. First of all, thank you. 

Thank you for your service. Thank you for your commitment. And thank you for the contributions you continue making. Whether you served for a few years or made the military your career, your service matters. Whether you served during wartime or peacetime, your service matters. Whether you served overseas, or here at home. Your service matters. And I hope you never forget that. Also want to remind you of something. Your story has value. The lessons you've learned, the experiences you've had. And the people you've met have helped shape who you are. And those experiences may help somebody else. Maybe it's a young person trying to figure out what direction to take in life. Maybe it's somebody starting a business. Maybe it's another veteran adjusted to civilian life. Or maybe it's simply somebody who needs a little encouragement. You never know how much your story might mean to another person. And if you're a veteran who's found a new purpose through family, work, volunteering, or community involvement, I hope you recognize the importance of that chapter too. Because military service is part of your story. But it doesn't have to be the final chapter. There are always opportunities to learn, grow, connect, and make a positive difference. Now, let's return to the statistic that started this conversation. Five point nine percent. That means approximately 94.1% of Americans civilian adults are not military veterans. Here's what I want to say to those people. You don't have to wear military uniform to make a difference. You don't have to serve in the armed forces to demonstrate courage, leadership, compassion, or commitment. Those are values every one of us can practice. And I think one of the greatest ways to honor our veterans is to carry those values into our everyday lives. Help a neighbor, volunteer at a nonprofit, support a local business, mentor a young person, be there somebody who needs encouragement. Find ways to bring people together. Because when we put service above self, even in small ways, we strengthen our communities. And when our communities become stronger, our country becomes stronger. That's something I believe deeply. It's also one of the reasons I started Hartford County living. And why I continue to have conversations with people from all walks of life. I believe good stories deserve to be shared. I believe positive contributions deserve recognition. And I believe one person's story can inspire another person to make a difference. Veterans have millions of their stories. And let's make sure we take the time to hear them. So as I wrap up today's conversation, I want you to remember something. Five point nine percent. Approximately 15.7 million American military veterans. According to the Census Bureau 2025 estimates. That's a statistic. But behind that statistic are real people. People who served in the army. Navy. Marine Corps. Air Force. Coast Guard. And of course more recently the Space Force. People who served in different generations. People who came from different backgrounds. People whose military experiences helped shape the lives they went on to lead. And people who continue contributing to our communities every single day. Some other stories are well known. Others may never be told publicly, but every veteran deserves dignity, appreciation, and respect. So here's my challenge to everybody listening. Today, Veterans Day, there's something meaningful. In fact, do it every day. Reach out to a veteran you know. If you're a veteran, reconnect with somebody you served alongside. Mema buttees always record birthday or vener's day call each other support a veteran and business listen to a veteran story or simply take a moment to recognize the people who have served our country and remember. Vetter's Day isn't the only day we can show our appreciation. We can do that throughout the year. I'll leave you with one final original quote. Veterans may represent a small percentage of our population, but the impact of their service reaches across an entire nation to all my fellow veterans. Happy Veterans Day. And to my fellow Marines. Happy Ballet at Birthday. 251 years old yesterday. Semper fire relers and sisters. Thank you for joining me for this special Veterans Day episode. Until next time, I'm Rich Bennett. Thanks for listening and remember every great conversation starts with someone willing to listen and someone willing to share and now at your turn. Join the conversation by sharing this episode. Leave in a comment or reaching out to me directly. Take care. Be kind to one another and I'll talk with you again soon.