• Post Type: Backblast
  • When: 05/30/2022
  • AO: Mt. Hollywood
  • QIC: Dirt
  • FNG's:
  • PAX: Blueprint, Chameleon, Freon, Dirt (R)

Four Pax showed up at 0530 on Memorial Day at Mt. Hollywood for a good work out and to honor those men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.  I asked if anyone had a relative who died in the armed forces, and no one spoke up.  I mentioned my great uncle, Melvin Cain who died in WWII.  I remember going to the cemetery on Memorial Day each year to see the flag and plaque that was displayed to honor him.  Thanks to all the Gold Star families out there who miss their loved ones dearly.  We all are eternally in their debt.

Below is a list of each major war the US has been involved with and the number of combat deaths.  Some of the numbers may surprise you.

American Revolution     8,000

War of 1812     2,260

Mexican American War      1,733

American Civil War

Union Casualties     140,414

Confederate Casualties     94,000

This was 2.1% of the total population of the US at the time.

 

Spanish American War     385

WWI      53,402

WWII      291,557

Korean War      33,686

Vietnam War      47,434

Gulf War     149

Iraq      3,519

Afghanistan      1,910

Four of us enjoyed discussing these numbers and the sacrifice of the individuals above.  We live in the greatest country on the planet.  We aren’t perfect, but I appreciate the freedoms we have because of the individuals above who loved this country more than themselves.

Thanks guys.

Dirt