Memorial Day: Remembering the fallen

Every Memorial Day we see heartfelt tributes to our troops and veterans. They’re worthy of year-round thanks, especially with so many current service members coming home from multiple combat tours.

But today isn’t Armed Forces Day or Veterans Day, which honor the living. Memorial Day recognizes those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

We don’t often think about how many men and women have given their lives for our nation and our freedoms. Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the summer vacation season. It has become a day for fun, family and friends.

Previous generations made sacrifices that are unimaginable today. Parents who lost all their children. Towns that saw all their young men enlist to fight overseas. Without this selflessness, our country and our world simply would not be the same.

So, if only for a moment, right now, take the time to read the following list. Reflect upon how many Americans have died to make your life as good as it is today. Honor them with a prayer or a toast. This day is for them.

These are some of the conflicts that have claimed the lives of more than 1 million Americans. (Figures are approximate and include noncombat deaths.)

■ Revolutionary War (1775-1783): 25,000

■ Northwest Indian War (1785-1795): 1,000

■ War of 1812 (1812-1815): 20,000

■ Mexican-American War (1846-1848): 13,000

■ Civil War (1861-1865): 625,000

■ Great Sioux War (1876-1877): 300

■ Spanish-American War (1898): 2,400

■ Philippine-American War (1898-1902): 4,200

■ World War I (1917-1918): 117,000

■ World War II (1941-1945): 407,000

■ Cold War (1947-1991): 32

■ Korean War (1950-1953): 37,000

■ Vietnam War (1964-1973): 58,000

■ Beirut (1982-1984): 266

■ Grenada (1983): 19

■ Panama (1989): 23

■ Persian Gulf War (1991): 269

■ Somalia intervention (1992-1995): 43

■ Iraq (2003-2011) 4,500

■ Afghanistan (2002-present) 2,200

God bless America. Happy Memorial Day.