Memorial Day 2011 Letter

The exact origins of Memorial Day are lost to history, with numerous stories and claims to its beginning. But the known facts surrounding Memorial Day have its origin in the Civil War, and was first officially declared on May 5, 1868 by General John Logan. The first State to officially recognize Memorial Day was New York in 1873, and over time various types of Memorial Days were established by different States. Northern States typically had a Memorial Day in May, while Southern States had Confederate War Dead Day. In 1971 Memorial Day finally became a National Holiday as the last Monday in May.

Originally the purpose of Memorial Day was to honor the War Dead of the American Civil War, but just like how Armistice Day for World War I became Veterans Day for all Veterans, Memorial Day became a Day for remembering all who have fallen, not just the Civil War. Most Holidays are for celebration of our past, Memorial Day is honoring and mourning those who gave all for our future, in the defense of Freedom and Liberty.

The Price of Freedom and Liberty is high, in times of peace we measure the costs in Dollars, which annually is in the Hundreds of Billions. But it is the true price of Freedom we remember on Memorial Day, a price in blood which is beyond what can ever have a Dollar sign fixed to it. In order to protect freedom and liberty, the cost is the most important treasure we have, which is life. It costs us Sons and Daughters, Brothers and Sisters, Mothers and Fathers, and Husbands and Wives. The sacrifice of so many is what keeps us free today.

To often it is not until freedom has to be defended do we remember the expense it incurs, and Memorial Day is a reminder to us all what that costs is. Since 1775, with the Battle of Concord and Lexington over 1,343,000 Americans have died defending our Freedom, and over 1,500,000 more wounded.

These Americans we Honor this day have gone to face the enemy, to take on the fight so the rest of do not have to. They have gone and looked evil in the face and bettered its wrath, so the rest can live in peace. These Americans are our neighbors and family members, but they do something many will not. They can be easily recognized in the right situation, when most run from something they tend to run to it. When a building is on fire, they are the ones running back inside to help others. When a gunman open fires in a crowd, they are the ones charging him on. When disaster strikes while most a fleeing the damage, they are heading to it to offer help.

These Americans seek the danger, the willingly go into harms way and put their own lives on the line so the rest of us don’t. As a Veteran myself, I have no willingness or eagerness to see combat, but have no issue or reservations if it is what is needed to be done. The most painful day for me was September 11, 2001.  I was active duty, and watched on TV like most of us did that day as I watched my countryman die and there was nothing I could do to stop it. It hurt so much because it was my job to get in the way, to confront the enemy, to get in between my countryman and the threat, to shield them and if needed take the fall for them so they do not have to. But all I could was watch as fellow Americans died, and I was the one on the sidelines. That is not the way it is supposed to be, it is supposed to be the other way around.

So while you are enjoying your extended weekend, remember the price that had been paid for it. When you complain about something with government, do not forget the blood shed to ensure that right. Nobody wants to have to fight for their Freedom, and the Warrior does not want to have to die for it, but rest assured we will fight for it, and we have many fine Americans who are willing to die for it. Today is the day to remember those who have fought and died, and to pay them the respect, fly your flag at half mast and give them thanks for protecting  our freedom and ensure Liberty always reigns.

This is a list of casualties through all American engagements since 1775 and up to date as of May 29, 2011.

War	Date	Combat	Other	Total	Wounded	Total Dead and wounded	Missing
American Revolution	1775-1783	8,000	17,000	25,000	25,000	50,000
War of 1812	1812-1815	~17,000	~17,000	~20,000	4,505	~25,000
Mexican American War	1846-1848	1,733	11,550	13,283	4,152	17,435
Civil War	1861-1865	212,938	224,097 *	~625,000	281,881*	646,392*
Spanish-American War	1898	385	2,061	2,446	1,622	4,068
World War I	1917-1918	53,402	63,114	116,516	204,002	320,518	3,350
World War II	1941-1945	291,557	113,842	405,399	670,846	1,076,245	30,314
Korean War	1950-1953			53,686	92,134	128,650	4,759
Vietnam War	1955-1975	47,424	10,785	58,209	153,303	211,454	2,489
Gulf War	1990-1991	113	148	258	849	1,231
Afghanistan	2001-	1,081	332	1,413	9,971	12,035	1
Iraq War	2003-	3,510	920	4,430	31,965	36,395	2
All other Conflicts	1785-	3,985	5,778	9,115	6,773	11,005
Grand Total	1775-	848,163	437,421	1,343,812	1,529,230	2,489,335	38,159

* Union Only accounted for