What is Memorial Day to us Americans?

[ProudMarineDad]

This is what Memorial Day is all about. It's not about BBQ's, it's not about family and get togethers and although I understand people wanting to include them, it's not about those serving now or who have served in the past. That is what Veterans Day is for. This is the reality of what Memorial Day is all about:

Civil War - 1861–1865 - 214,938 American lives lost
World War I - 1917-1918 - 53,402 American lives lost
World War II - 1941-1945 - 291,557 American lives lost
Korean War - 1950-1953 - 33,686 American lives lost
Vietnam War - 1955-1975 - 47,424 American lives lost
Afghanistan War - 2001-Present - 1,435 American lives lost
Iraq War - 2003-2011 - 3,542 American lives lost

Grand total of all wars listed on Wikipedia from 1775-Present - 848,163 American lives lost
These are combat losses and not total deaths which are much higher.

Please take some time to reflect on what these men and women have done for us so that we can live free.