In all likelihood the grills will be firing up soon wherever you are. A few hotdogs will sizzle or maybe even some nice bratwursts if you’re lucky. And then you’ll pop open a beer, grab a few watermelon slices, eat your dog with beans and slaw and enjoy the day off.
I’m with you. I enjoy having a Monday (more than all the other days of the week) away from work. But I’ve got to say, Memorial Day isn’t the same as Columbus Day which, no offense to the Italian who “discovered” El Salvador, many times passes by unnoticed by me. It also isn’t like President’s Day where I casually discuss who my favorite president is with anyone who cares enough to actually listen.
Memorial Day is so much different.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad we get a day off work. I’m glad we can be with our families and enjoy time together. However, if you think about it, Memorial Day isn’t really a day to celebrate. It’s an observance.
I’m just as guilty as anyone of tending to go about this day without remembrance or thankfulness whatsoever. I’m lucky enough to not have lost a father, brother, sister, mother, uncle, aunt, grandparent of even close friend in the line of duty. But it doesn’t mean there are many families across our nation for whom this day is particularly meaningful.
This post is just my small way of saying “thanks” to the many men and women who have served our country proudly and it is in recognition of the families who have lost someone they loved in service to our nation.
When you’re watching the baseball game today, take a moment to remember that we’re free and why. You may not have always agreed with the battles we’ve fought and we have made many mistakes along the way. Yet, if you consider the liberty we have by comparison to the number of nations who don’t allow their citizens the freedom to vote, worship, or even live safely because of their race or tribe, you should be thankful for the lives that were sacrificed to ensure this freedom in our land.
Next time you see a serviceman or servicewoman, whether they be fire fighters, police, National Guard, Marines, or Coast Guard, or in any line of duty where they are laying their lives on the line to protect our security, take the time to thank them.
American Revolution 1775–1783 Servicemembers= 217,000 Total Deaths= 4,435
War of 1812 1812–1815 Servicemembers= 286,730 Total Deaths= 2,260
Indian Wars approx. 1817–1898 Servicemembers= 106,000 Total Deaths= 1,000
Mexican War 1846–1848 Servicemembers= 78,718 Total Deaths in Battle= 1,733
Civil War 1861–1865 Servicemembers= 3,263,363 Total Deaths in Battle (Union and Confederate)= 214,938
Spanish-American War 1898–1902 Servicemembers= 306,760 Total Deaths in Battle= 385
World War I 1917–1918 Total Servicemembers= 4,734,991 Total Deaths in Battle= 53,402
World War II 1940–1945 Total Servicemembers= 16,112,566 Total Deaths in Battle= 291,557
Korean War 1950–1953 Total Servicemembers= 5,720,000 Total Deaths in Battle= 33,741
Vietnam War 1964–1975 Total Servicemembers= 8,744,000 Total Deaths in Battle= 47,424
Gulf War 1990–1991 Total Servicemembers= 2,225,000 Total Deaths in Battle= 147
US troops who have lost their lives in battle in Afghanistan= 507 to date
US troops who have lost their lives in battle in Iraq= 4,002 to date.
TMoHS 07. Yes, It's A Baseball Episode (1/3)
You must log in to post a comment.