According to Wikipedia over 1.3 million Americans have died fighting in wars. Actually it is more than that since that figure doesn't include those listed as missing in action. In addition up until the early 20th century official military records tended to be more like educated estimates rather than veritable facts. And of course the Wiki stats end at 2019, so any service members who have died in places like Afghanistan since then aren't included.
Proving that being in the military during a war is a risky business even if you aren't at the front over half that 1.3 million died of disease, accidents, or some other reason than enemy fire. For example in the 1990-91 Gulf War 146 of the 294 deaths incurred by American forces were caused by reasons not directly combat related. In Vietnam that number was close to 11,000. In the American Civil War, if you count both sides, the death by, "other," figure was nearly a half million.
Not that it mattered, especially to those who died of say, dysentery, the flu, or because they were run over by a truck somewhere behind the lines. They were and are just as dead as the people storming a beach, or village. In the end, they wore the uniform and paid the price.
The nation has set aside this day, the last Monday in May to honor their memory. It includes even those who died in wars, none of us remember. You know, like the 1798-1800 Quasi War. (It was fought entirely by naval forces in the Carribean against the First French Republic. There were 514 American deaths, 20 of them due to combat.}
How we do this honoring is a bit surreal though. Oh there are some parades scattered around the country and a small army of volunteers plant miniature American flags at the appropriate graves sites in cemeteries across the land. However, that Memorial Day Sale down at the Mattress Warehouse isn't something I'd expect 1.3 million war dead to appreciate or thank us for. The same for cook outs, chugging tall cold ones, ball games, and auto races.
Then we have the politicians. Donald Trump, apparently unaware they're dead, wished a happy holiday to, " those who gave the ultimate sacrifice." Later, in a burst of presidential eloquence, he urged Americans to make America great a again by getting rid of, "the communists, Marxist, and fascist pigs."
Rival GOP candidate Ron DeSantis praised the republic as a, "great nation built on great values." His stated campaign goal is to purge diversity, equity and inclusiveness programs from all American colleges and corporations. A week or so ago one of the laws he gleefully endorsed was used to ban a book of poetry written by a 16 year old author from elementary school libraries.
Whether either gentleman impressed the honored dead with their self serving sentiments, or not will remain unknown. However, as we swill our beer and chow down on brats and burgers, generally ignoring the purpose and meaning of today it is certainly hard to believe those two awful clowns did any worse than we have.
I just hope 1.3 million dead can forgive us for our casual crassness. It probably isn't what they fought for, but in this day and age it is what we are.
sic vita est
5-29-23
You are correct, illness, disease and non-combat injury are as deadly as combat. Prominent politicians who have not served in the armed services would do well to say as little as possible about the military in war, as they are relatively easy to spot.
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