What is the True Meaning of Memorial Day?
Posted Monday, May 25, 2009 ; 06:02 PM |
Nearly a third of Americans don't know :tear:
http://wowktv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=59707
Sad. Very sad. :tear:
True Meaning of Memorial Day? 1/3 American's don't know
Discussion in 'News & Current Events' started by LadyEagle, May 25, 2009.
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LE, yes it is very sad. It is a sad commentary not only on the citizens of this country who owe so much to those whom this day honors, but it is also a sad commentary that these Americans who suffered and gave so much are not given due honor and respect in our public schools.
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I'm wondering who they polled for this one? 1/3 just doesn't sound right to me.
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Too often we only repreat what we hear without research.
Unfournately, we often use the same "logic" when a minister preaches. -
What do most people think Memorial Day is? I've always thought it was a day to remember those who fought for this country, and especially for those who paid with ruined bodies and minds and with their lives. I came out as a sergeant and wish I had stayed in and retired.
As a veteran and one who retired from a VA Medical Center, I have a great respect for our veterans--especially now that it's all volunteer, and no one is forced into the military by draft. I wasn't drafted, although I was at the head of the list to be drafted.
Still, many who were drafted did this country and all of us proud by showing what it means to be an American. America doesn't run from its enemies or from any who want to control the rest of us. -
American Revolution (1775–1783)
Total servicemembers 217,000
Battle deaths 4,435
Nonmortal woundings 6,188
War of 1812 (1812–1815)
Total servicemembers 286,730
Battle deaths 2,260
Nonmortal woundings 4,505
Indian Wars (approx. 1817–1898)
Total servicemembers 106,000...#1
Battle deaths 1,000...#1
Mexican War (1846–1848)
Total servicemembers 78,718
Battle deaths 1,733
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 11,550
Nonmortal woundings 4,152
Civil War (1861–1865)
Total servicemembers (Union) 2,213,363
Battle deaths (Union) 140,414
Other deaths in service (nontheater) (Union) 224,097
Nonmortal woundings (Union) 281,881
Total servicemembers (Conf.) 1,050,000
Battle deaths (Conf.) 74,524
Other deaths in service (nontheater) (Conf.) 59,297...#2
Nonmortal woundings (Conf.) unknown
Spanish-American War (1898–1902)
Total servicemembers 306,760
Battle deaths 385
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 2,061
Nonmortal woundings 1,662
World War I (1917–1918)...#3
Total servicemembers 4,734,991
Battle deaths 53,402
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 63,114
Nonmortal woundings 204,002
Living veterans fewer than 25...#1
World War II (1940–1945)...#3
Total servicemembers 16,112,566
Battle deaths 291,557
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 113,842
Nonmortal woundings 671,846
Living veterans 3,242,000...#1
Korean War (1950–1953)
Total servicemembers 5,720,000
Serving in-theater 1,789,000
Battle deaths 33,741
Other deaths in service (theater) 2,833
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 17,672
Nonmortal woundings 103,284
Living veterans 3,086,400...#1
Vietnam War (1964–1975)
Total servicemembers 8,744,000
Serving in-theater 3,403,000
Battle deaths 47,424
Other deaths in service (theater) 10,785
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 32,000
Nonmortal woundings 153,303
Living veterans 7,286,500...#1
Gulf War (1990–1991)
Total servicemembers 2,225,000
Serving in-theater 665,476
Battle deaths 147
Other deaths in service (theater) 382
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 1,565
Nonmortal woundings 467
Living veterans 1,852,000...#1
America's Wars Total
Military service during war 43,185,893
Battle deaths 653,708
Other deaths in service (theater) 14,560
Other deaths in service (nontheater) 525,930
Nonmortal woundings 1,447,281
Living war veterans 17,835,000...#4
Living veterans 23,976,000
Global War on Terror (as of Sept. 30, 2006)...#5
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide) 1,384,968
Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan 165,000
Battle Deaths 3,776
Other Deaths (In Theater) 958
Non-mortal Woundings 21,649
Living Veterans 588,923...#6
1. Veterans Administration estimate as of Sept. 30, 2006.
2. Estimated figure. Does not include 26,000–31,000 who died in Union prisons.
3. Years of U.S. involvement in war.
4. Approximately 1,065,000 veterans had service in multiple conflicts. They are counted under each conflict, but only once in the total.
5. For the most current GWOT statistics, visit:
http://www1.va.gov/opa/fact/amwars.asp
6. VA estimate does not include those still on active duty and may include veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Source: Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.
Data collected here:
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0004615.html