According to one estimate, 48 million Americans have served in the military since 1776, and there are 25 million living veterans.

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that on any given night, 271,000 veterans are homeless.

Maj. Alexander T. Augusta (1825-1890) was both the first African-American surgeon in the Union Army and the first African-American officer buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Despite his rank, he was only paid enlisted wages for most of his duty.

Jim Thorpe may have dominated the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm, but it was Gen. George S. Patton Jr. (1885-1945) who finished fifth in the 1912 Olympics Modern Pentathlon. The events were pistol shooting on a 25-meter range, a 300-meter swim, fencing, riding a 5,000-meter steeplechase, and running a 4,000-meter cross-country foot race.

Austin author Sarah Bird was an Air Force brat who attended schools at Yokota in Japan. One of her novels is The Yokota Officers Club.

This article appears in November 12 • 2004.

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