29 May Memorial Day – A Day to Remember and Revere Those Who Paid the Ultimate Price
Memorial Day – a day to remember and revere those who paid the ultimate price to preserve America’s freedom and fight against tyranny. We pray for their families and thank them. But is it enough? Isn’t it our duty to understand and put their sacrifice in the context of history?
Do your children and grandchildren even know why we have this “holiday?” Each of the following individuals who served and died in the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard had families, wives, husbands, mothers and fathers, children and grandparents.
Those who paid for our freedom with their lives:
Revolutionary War – 6,800 in battle; 17,000 from disease
War of 1812 – 2,260 in battle; 15,000 from disease
Mexican-American War – 1,733 in battle; 11,550 from disease
Civil War – 650,000 battle deaths
Spanish-American War – 385 battle deaths
World War I – 53,402 in battle; 63,114 other causes
World War II – 407,316 in battle; 671,278 wounded
Korean War – 54,260
Vietnam War – 58,220
Gulf War – 383
Iran and Afghanistan – 8,498
These individuals should be honored. The debt we owe to them and their families can only be repaid by never forgetting and actively doing our part to preserve the freedom they died to protect.
Are you doing your part? Do not let those who would preempt your freedom sully the names of those we honor on Memorial Day. Speak up, work in your communities, write a letter, get involved. This is our pledge to those who died for us.
