The Numbers Behind Memorial Day

May 29, 2017, is Memorial Day, the day the United States has set aside to honor those who gave their lives to protect our nation and its interests. The holiday was established in 1868 but called "Decoration Day" at first, because the day was to be used to decorate the soldiers' graves. In fact, more Americans died fighting in the Civil War than in any other war, and nearly half those from all the wars we've fought died during this War Between the States.

Here are the rounded numbers of fatalities from all the major wars:

• Revolutionary War - 5,000
• War of 1812 - 2,000
• Mexican War - 13,000
• Civil War - 500,000
• Spanish American - 2,000
• World War I - 117,000
• World War II - 400,000
• Korean War - 54,000
• Vietnam War - 90,000
• Persian Gulf War - 2,000                                 
•  *Statistics from the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans' Affairs
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So today, lets remember these men and women and their families who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Let us never take that lightly and never squander what's important with pettiness. 

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