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American Morning

Gallup Poll: Most Veterans Feel Appreciated

Aired May 29, 2001 - 09:42   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: There are, of course, holidays set aside to honor the nation's veterans, but do the vets themselves feel appreciated for the service they gave to this country?

CNN's Jeanne Meserve joins us now, from Washington, with some answers.

Jeanne, good morning.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Good morning, Daryn.

There were tributes to veterans of all wars all across the country yesterday, perhaps none with more impact than the signing of legislation yesterday that clears the way for the construction of a World War II Memorial on the National Mall.

Joining me now is Frank Newport, Gallup's editor-in-chief.

Frank, what can you tell us about America's veteran and whether they feel they're getting the recognition they deserve?

FRANK NEWPORT, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, GALLUP POLL: Generally, they are. It's interesting to note that our veteran population is really aging in this country. In fact, I'll show you here in a moment when we asked Americans are you, personally, a veteran, if you're a man 18 to 49, it's only 13 percent -- but if you're a male in this country over 50, look at that: 6 out of 10 are veterans. That reflects, of course, World War II, Korea, and a lot of the Vietnam veterans are now 50 years and over.

For women, it's 3 percent, regardless of age.

In terms of appreciation, Jeanne, we just asked them. We asked veterans do you feel that you've received the appreciation and thanks you deserve for serving your country? We find, Jeanne, about 73 percent say yes, leaving just about a quarter who tell us no.

MESERVE: Frank, is there any indication of which segment of the veteran's population most feels it's getting its due.

NEWPORT: We looked at that carefully. It's a fairly small group of people, but we don't find huge age differences. The older veterans -- those that were World War II and Korean era -- that is, about 65 and over now -- are a little more likely to say they feel appreciated, but not a huge difference, it's not the big gulf that we might have expected.

MESERVE: Frank, what have you found about the attitude of all Americans toward the different branches of the service?

NEWPORT: This is a fascinating question because in Washington the branches are always fighting with one another for funding, recruits, and what have you. We just asked Americans a couple of very interesting questions on this Memorial Day. Which military branch, out of the major four, do you think is most prestigious and has the most status? The answer is not the Army or the Navy or the Air Force; it's the Marines. If you're a Marine out there, congratulations, you have the most prestigious service branch of any of the four we tested.

Not to say, Jeanne, that people think Marines are most important. For 50 years now, we have been finding, when we ask Americans who needs more funding, who's the most important branch, it's the Air Force. Again we found that just a week or two ago.

Which is most critical for our defense? A lot of people wouldn't agree in these other branches, but nevertheless, the average American, 42 percent, says the Air Force is way above the other branches.

So if you're in the Air Force or Marines, pretty good as far as the U.S. public's perceptions are concerned -- Jeanne.

MESERVE: Frank, thanks so much.

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