Memorial Day

The marker at Redoubt X, Yorktown where victory was sealed in the Revolutionary War. 6,800 Americans were killed in battle and some 17,000 died of disease during the struggle to win independence from Great Britain.

The marker at one of the mass graves at Shiloh Battlefield. More Americans were killed in action in two days at Shiloh than in all previous American wars combined. Official Civil War death totals estimate 650,000 dead. Historians speculate that the actual number of dead is likely more than a million.

The mast of the USS Maine, Arlington National Cemetery. 385 Americans were killed in battle during the Spanish–American War and 2,061 died of disease.

Tomb of the Unknown, Arlington National Cemetery. Here lie the remains of the last soldier to return from World War I, “known only to God.” 116,708 Americans died during World War I.

National World War II Memorial, National Mall, Washington, D.C. Over 221,000 Americans were killed in battle during World War II. Globally, this was the deadliest conflict in history with approximately 3% of the world’s population dying during the six year war.

Korean War Memorial, National Mall, Washington, D.C. 36,574 Americans were killed in battle during the Korean War. This is often called “America’s Forgotten War.” It doesn’t get the attention that other wars receive, yet we are still dealing with the repercussions of it every day.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial, National Mall, Washington, D.C. 58,318 Americans were killed in battle during the Vietnam War.

This pictorial offers a few examples of the conflicts in which Americans gave their lives. Thousands of Americans have died in conflicts, skirmishes, police actions, and interventions. There is no memorial for many of these people. In some cases, the government would rather we didn’t know. But the sacrifices are still very real. And the physical, mental, and emotional toll of war has killed many of its participants years, even decades, after the guns fell silent.

This Memorial Day, may we remember these sacrifices. May we embrace and celebrate the blessings of freedom that were purchased with these sacrifices. But may we never forget the cost.

Wishing you a happy and mindful Memorial Day from ABG.