MOHAVE COUNTY–Americans from across our great nation will pay homage this month in observance of Veterans Day.

Veterans Day is a national holiday held every Nov. 11 honoring and thanking all men and women, both living and deceased, who have served in the U.S. military, for their patriotism, heroism and willingness to serve their country in the face of danger.

There is some confusion by most Americans when it comes to honoring veterans. Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day only honors those who died while in military service. It also should not be confused with Armed Forces Day, a minor U.S. remembrance that occurs in May, which specifically honors those currently serving in the U.S. military.

Since the Veterans Day actually falls this year on Sunday, the Kingman Veterans Day Parade committee has decided to host the parade in old town Kingman on Beale Street on Saturday, Nov. 10, starting at 10 a.m. The Kingman Veterans Day parade participants will be traveling on Beale Street from 5th Street down to Locomotive Park. This year’s theme of the parade is honoring the U.S. Marine Corps that is celebrating its 243^rd birthday on Saturday and according to the parade committee, they would like to honor all local Marine Corps veterans for their service.

Those interested in in participating in the Kingman Veterans Day Parade, donating items for the parade raffle or volunteering to help make the parade a success can do so by visiting their website at http://kingmanvetparade.org or calling (928) 753-6626.

Just because the parade will be honoring the U.S. Marine Corps, parade officials hope that all people who have served in the military, family members of current and former military personnel, and all concerned citizens will want to participate and attend the parade.

There are about 3,300,00 U.S. military personnel currently serving; that includes 817,459 National Guard members and 1,315,609 active duty personnel. Of that number, nearly 200,000 of them are currently deployed around the world at 800 bases in 177 countries.

Some of the wars the U.S. participated in were relatively short periods, but some were longer. The top 10 lengths of U.S. participation in wars are: War in Afghanistan, Moro Rebellion, Northwest Indian War, Iraq War, American Revolutionary War, Vietnam Conflict, Second Seminole War, First Barbary War, American Civil War and World War II.

The top ten wars by actual combat related deaths are: World War II (1941 – 1945 291,557); American Civil War (1861 – 1865 214,524 – includes both Union and Confederate troops); World War I (1917 – 1918 63,114); Vietnam Conflict (never actually designated a war) (1960 – 1973 47,434); Korean Conflict (never actually designated a war) (1950 – 1953 33,739); American Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783 6,800); Iraq/Afghanistan Wars (2001 – 2014 5,790); War of 1812 (1812 – 1815 2,260); Mexican-American War (1848 -1848 1733); and Second Seminole War (1835 – 1842 1,500+).

Government officials estimate there are more than 666,000 Americans who have died as a result of combat since 1775 and another 1,498,240 were wounded in action. It is further estimated that there are currently 40,917 U.S. service members listed as missing in action; however, many of those are presumed dead.

Many VFWs, American Legions, military fraternal, and other fraternal and civilian organizations throughout Arizona, Nevada and California will be conducting ceremonies for Veterans Day. People interested in attending a Veterans Day celebration, should contact their local city government, military fraternal, and other fraternal and civilian organizations to see what they might have scheduled.

Remember what the true reason to participate in Veterans Day ceremonies is and reflect upon those who are serving this great nation and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Take the time to research Veterans Day, and if someone says they don’t know why it is a National holiday, take the time to explain exactly why it is so important to our country and the American people.

Article contributed by Butch Meriwether.

Editor’s Note: Butch Meriwether is a retired U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant who served his country from Jan. 2, 1964 – Aug. 30, 1984 and had combat tours of duty in Vietnam during 1967, 68, 69 and 70.