Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Veterans Day

While Americans across the country will be honoring the nation’s military veterans on Veterans Day, most say the U.S. does not give enough support to soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to a March 2008 Pew Research survey, fully 72% say the government does not give enough help to returning troops. The public has a better opinion of itself, but many still question the adequacy of Americans’ care for veterans. Half the country says the American people give enough support to soldiers who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, but 46% say they do not. Notably, there are no significant differences in opinion on this question by party or ideology. There is also no difference in opinion among those with a close family member who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan and those who have no family ties to the wars. Among Americans with a family member who has served, 74% say the government does not give enough support to veterans and half (the same as those without family ties) say Americans do give enough support. Read More