Freedom is NOT free
Living in the US, as I'm sure it is in every country around the world, it feels especially crazy these days.
America is unique in that the country was founded and our culture was built around the idea that the people, not the government, were the source of all wealth and prosperity.
That we are independent and equal in our opportunities to create a better life.
This is what freedom means to me.
The individual has the opportunity to create a better life for themselves and everyone around them.
This is a very special and precious distinction that we enjoy in the world.
And that is why today it is especially important to remember how we get to enjoy this freedom.
Monday, May 30 is Memorial Day.
This is the day we remember the sacrifices of so many human beings who fought, sacrificed their lives, and made this freedom possible for us. Not just the people who gave the ultimate sacrifice, their life, but also the friends and family who survived, dealt with the loss, and made it so valuable.
Memorial Day was originally created to remember all those brave men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty. I think it is also important to remember, in addition to them, the families and friends of the survivors.
My friend Nell reminded me of this today. I'd like to pass along her words.
The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873, hence Waterloo, NY has officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May of 1966. Since then the traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished, as many Americans have somehow forgotten the true meaning and traditions of this great day.
To help re-educate and remind Americans, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed back in December of 2000, which asked that all Americans on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. local time, "Voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence for those who have sacrificed their lives for our great country."
Below I have included a partial list highlighting the estimated number of Americans who lost their lives and or were wounded while defending our freedoms.
Take a moment and think about how many families have been torn apart or splintered in the wake of a fallen soldier.
I can't speak for others but I know my family is forever grateful and we tremendously appreciate any and all sacrifices made to protect our great nation. (Source: Wikipedia)
- 1775-1783 American Revolutionary War - 50,000 Wounded / 25,000 Dead
- 1812-1815 War of 1812 - 20,000 Wounded / 15,000 Dead
- 1846-1848 Mexican-American War - 17,500 Wounded / 13,300 Dead
- 1861-1865 Civil War - 1,300,000 Wounded / 750,000 Dead
- 1898 Spanish-American War - 6,000 Wounded / 2,500 Dead
- 1898-1913 Philippine American War - 11,000 Wounded / 4,200 Dead<
- 1917-1918 World War I - 320,000 Wounded / 117,000 Dead
- 1941-1945 World War II - 1,100,000 Wounded / 406,000 Dead
- 1950-1953 Korean War - 128,000 Wounded / 40,000 Dead
- 1955-1975 Vietnam War - 215,000 Wounded / 60,000 Dead
- 1990-1991 Gulf War - 1,200 Wounded / 300 Dead
- 2003-2011 Iraq War - 37,000 Wounded / 4,500 Dead
- 2001 - Present ... War in Afghanistan - 20,000 Wounded / 2,500 Dead
Please take a moment today and remember why we get to enjoy all the freedoms we have.
Happy Memorial Day,
The Traders Wire Team
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