This Veterans Day, 71% of adults have a favorable opinion of the U.S. military. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 11% hold an unfavorable view while 18% who are not sure.

Those with a favorable opinion of the military include 76% of men and 67% of women. From a generational perspective, 65% of those under 40 have a positive opinion of the military along with 76% of those over 40. On a partisan basis, 81% of Republicans offer a favorable opinion along with 60% of Democrats and 70% of unaffiliateds.

Veterans Day is intended to acknowledge those who largely contributed to United States national security and to honor those who have sacrificed their lives and done their duty. Forty-two percent (42%) of the nation’s adults say they’ll do something special this year to observe the holiday. Thirty-four percent (34%) will not commemorate the event while 23% are unsure. Men are more likely to commemorate the holiday than women.

Forty-five percent (45%) consider Veterans Day one of the nation’s most important holidays. Only 7% consider it among the the least important while 43% place it somewhere in between. Those figures are little changed from a year ago.

The holiday strikes close to home for many Americans--36% have close friends or relatives have given their lives while serving in the U.S. military. That figure includes 42% of men and 30% of women.

See survey questions and top-line results. Crosstabs available for Premium Members only.