Memorial Day is a reminder and an opportunity to reflect on those who have paid the ultimate price in combat for the United States. It is a day to honor their sacrifice and the cost they and their families have borne the cost of the violence and aggression of war.
Total combat deaths for the United States from 1775-2019 for all wars and conflicts is upwards of 666,440 lives. That’s just US soldiers direct combat related and doesn’t count all lives lost to war.
Many of these wars and conflicts were a necessity in their time, to preserve freedom, to secure safety for a county and a world in need. Too many of these wars and conflicts were unnecessary.
When will be wake up? When will love and awareness of our interdependence overcome fear and greed? When will we not need the lives of others to be volunteered, drafted, paid, sacrificed for peace?
With gratitude and debt for the lives lost, may we strive to find better ways to resolve our conflicts, than the lives of those bravely willing to sacrifice.
~j
The Metta Garden 