Soldiers are a signature of Alaska life, where about 8% of all residents (roughly 58,000) are military veterans – the highest concentration in the country.
Nationwide, only about 5% of the population served in the military.
A new report from Alaska’s Dept. of Labor notes that large military bases in Anchorage and Fairbanks, along with Coast Guard stations in multiple communities draw large numbers of active duty soldiers to Alaska.
In addition to outside influx, enlistment rates by Alaskans are relatively high when compared to the rest of the nation, the report states. In fact, Alaska is tied with Texas for the seventh highest percentage of young adults who enlist, according to a 2022 Defense Department analysis.
“Higher enlistment rates for a state likely lead to a higher percentage of veterans, assuming many of the enlistees return to their home state after completing their military careers,” the Labor Dept. report states.
On Nov. 11, the nation will observe Veterans Day and many Alaska towns are planning events and celebrations to honor Americans who have served in the U.S. military.
5 Comments
I am grateful for the service of our veterans and the great sacrifices made on our behalf.
I am too! Wreaths Across America is one of the active and special times in the year I honor my son, my bother, my two nephews, my cousin and a grandparent for serving and giving their strength, courage and fearlessness to our country with a Christmas wreath to place on their marble stone. Those that have taken the time to place the wreaths are from other honorably discharged, family and friends. So, the vets in our communities here in Alaska should have a moment in time for all of us to say how much they are appreciated and honored. I try to participate with that event at JBER.
Hard for me to take the left serious about care for veterans while they spend more than 50 Billion on illegals SNAP benefits each year. That does not include all the other billions spent on the replacement voters.
Thank you for pointing out those statistics, Joel. An interesting article that recognizes the patriotic veterans of this great state.
We are a great Patriotic state, thank you for your service!! Also, I feel safer knowing that we have so many vets!!