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Wednesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, the federal holiday that honors everyone who has served in the military. 


Nationally, there are about 22 million veterans. 

What's the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day?

A veteran of the 'Lost Platoon' remembers Vietnam


Here's a snapshot of veterans in Minnesota. 

Number of veterans in Minnesota (as of Sept. 30)

Veterans make up about 7 percent of the state's population.


Most are Vietnam War-era veterans, according to data from the 

U.S. Census Bureau's 2014 American Community Survey

 have been discharged from active duty, with 43,000 having served in a combat zone, according to the 2014 Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs'	annual report. 	
			
		


In January, female veterans were able to start ordering a 

special license plate honoring their service.

 Bearing the inscription "Woman Veteran," they are the first veteran plates in Minnesota that specifically refer to women who have served in the military. 

Number of veterans identified as homeless in a January 2015 Point-in-Time count from the Department of Housing and Urban Development


That's according to Eric Grumdahl, special adviser on ending veteran homelessness for the MDVA, because the 2015 numbers haven't yet been published. That figure is down slightly from the 

Again this year, mayors aim to end vets' homelessness


"This is something that we not only think is the right thing to do, but that we should be able to do," Grumdahl says. "It is achievable. We can get there all across the state."


In early 2015, the MDVA and community partners launched a statewide 


Since then, more than 200 veterans on the registry have been housed. However, about 150 veterans in the Twin Cities remain on the list. 


On Wednesday, St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges are hosting a 

 at the Wilder Center in St. Paul, where landlords and property owners can learn more about renting to veterans on the registry. Landlords who rent to vets on the registry could be eligible for a $1,000 incentive.
 

The MDVA says that although veterans on the registry have the income or assistance to pay for housing and maintain stability, one of the struggles has been identifying landlords and available housing units.

About 18 percent of veterans nationally receive disability compensation.

The unemployment rate among Minnesota veterans

The number compares with 4.6 percent for the general population in Minnesota. 

Number of national and state cemeteries in Minnesota 

 is located in Minneapolis. Some of the notable people buried at Fort Snelling include the parents of former Gov. Jesse Ventura, University of Minnesota hockey coach John Mariucci and several Medal of Honor recipients. Learn more about who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery 

 is located in Little Falls. It opened in June 1994. 

 is opening in Preston. Two former mayors of Preston — both Korean War veterans — will be 


Details on who is eligible to be buried at a state cemetery can be found 

Lifestyle

Nancy Yang

Author

Today is Veterans Day, the federal holiday that honors everyone who has served in the military.

By the numbers: Minnesota's veterans

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