The Number To Remember This Memorial Day Is 1.5 Million
It is believed the first Memorial Day was held in Charleston, South Carolina, May 1, 1865. It was initiated by freed African-Americans to honor 257 Union troops who lost their lives while they were being held by Confederate forces at the Hampton Park Race Course. Over 10,000 gathered that day to remember those who fell while fighting for others freedom.
It would be another three years before Memorial Day became a national holiday. Originally, it was known as Decoration Day. On May 30, 1868, people gathered in Arlington National Cemetery. Commander John A. Logan of the Army of the Republic dedicated the day to be “for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.”
Over the years, several aspects have changed with the observance of Memorial Day. It has become a day to recognize all soldiers that have fallen in the line of duty. In 1971, it was decided that Memorial Day would be celebrated on the last Monday in the month of May as opposed to May 30. Fewer and fewer organized decorations happen. They have been replaced with family members quietly recognizing members of their own family who have died, and that is a shame.
I will submit to you one number for you to remember this Memorial Day. One-point-five million. One-point-five million represents approximately the number of service men and women that have died in the line of duty. That is how many lives it has taken to make sure we have rights like freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to bear arms. One-point-five million is the number of people who have laid down their lives for not just citizens of the United States, but citizens all over the world.
According to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, this number includes 115,516 service men from World War I. The number includes 405,399 members of the military who were killed during World War II. It includes 90,220 that were lost in the Vietnam War. Finally, it includes the 6,710 that are no longer with us due to the global war on terror. Members of the fallen include men and women that died in combat, in-theater, and out of theater.
This Memorial Day, as many enjoy a day off from work, as you enjoy the time you are spending with your family remember the 1.5 million people that helped make this day possible.
Note: The Department of Veteran Affair’s document only includes those who died in major wars. That number equals approximately 1.2 million. Another 300,000 lives have been lost in various other wars and conflicts.
[Image courtesy of Lest They Be Forgotten Flag]
