JD Vance Highlights Military Contributions in American History Celebration

Senator JD Vance spoke to military personnel in Virginia Beach, Virginia, honoring the legacy of 250 years of American history. He emphasized the critical role the military plays in upholding the Constitution and safeguarding liberty, representing the country’s finest qualities. Vance expressed optimism about the future, asserting that the next 250 years will improve due to their dedicated service.

Patriotism Across the States

In a recent survey by personal finance company WalletHub, states were ranked based on patriotism using a methodology that included over a dozen indicators. Virginia emerged as the most patriotic state, ranking third for military engagement and seventh in civic engagement. WalletHub reported that Virginia has one of the highest concentrations of active-duty military personnel and veterans in the country.

WalletHub’s Financial Writer, Adam McCann, explained that the survey aimed to identify where Americans exhibit the most pride throughout the year. The data included military enlistment, veteran populations, voter turnout, and AmeriCorps volunteer numbers.

Strong Civic Participation in Virginia

“Virginia has a high voter turnout rate, with 72.9% of residents voting in the 2024 presidential election, compared to the national average of 66%.”

Furthermore, Virginia ranks high in peace corps volunteers per capita and mandates a civics course for high school graduation, underscoring its commitment to civic education.

Nationwide Patriotism

According to Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, patriotic states typically have a high percentage of residents who serve or have served in the military, high voter turnout, and significant volunteer participation. Instead of being localized, patriotic states are spread across various geographic regions.

Montana ranked as the second-most patriotic state, driven by a large voter turnout and significant jury service participation. Vermont, Colorado, and Oregon completed the top five in overall patriotism.

Challenges for Less Patriotic States

At the opposite end, Arkansas, New York, Louisiana, and Alabama ranked lowest in patriotism. The survey results indicated that states supporting Kamala Harris in the 2024 election generally showed higher patriotic metrics compared to those voting for President Donald Trump.

Significant blue states in 2024, like Illinois, California, and New York, displayed relatively low patriotism based on the survey’s criteria.