@compunaut I totally agree. It took me awhile to figure out what to put in the topic title because I definitely didn’t want to say happy. The pic I got off of Bing and its still not exactly what I wanted to say. I always thought of Memorial Day as a day to honor our military. I was advised by someone in the military that today is only for the fallen and they prefer not to be thanked on this day. It made me sad when I really got what he meant. Not that I didn’t know before but I just never considered it in that way…if that makes sense at all.
@compunaut the happy, at least in my mind, is the fact that we have our freedom because these folks were willing to lay down their lives to protect us. It is sad that they have to be remembered, but happy that because of their sacrifice we are free to meh.
@DMlivezey it’s complicated by whether you count non-combat deaths or not. Per wikipedia the total combat deaths for both sides was 215k but the non-combat deaths are pretty relevant and those add a further ~450k
Most casualties and deaths in the Civil War were the result of non-combat-related disease. For every three soldiers killed in battle, five more died of disease. The primitive nature of Civil War medicine, both in its intellectual underpinnings and in its practice in the armies, meant that many wounds and illnesses were unnecessarily fatal.
@2many2no I am aware of the varied reasons for mortality, and if you look at my post right before your post with the chart, I noted Wikipedia’s breakdown which still disagrees with the number in your chart, my suggestion being that the discrepancy includes civilian deaths.
“Here’s a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old…”
… and to all the other services’ fallen as well.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
@duodec One thing I love is that as long as I have been here is that you have always been present and accounted for in any veteran thread. Hope you had a great Memorial Day.
The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”– Douglas MacArthur
@mfladd to be clear I’m not a veteran. I have regrets about that decision, and great respect for those who served, including a number of my relatives (fortunately none of whom have died in service since WW2).
What wars have your family/ancestors participated in? (all of you who wish to answer)
With mine, none of the recent conflicts
Korean War
WWII (both theaters)
WWI
Spanish-American War
Civil War (both sides, I am a closer relation to the Rebs)
War of Texas Independence
*Not sure re War of 1812.
Revolutionary War
*Not sure re French and Indian War
It goes without saying, but is important to say anyway: I owe the people who risked their lives, or lost their lives, to defend and protect this country a debt I cannot repay, a debt that is larger than my comprehension.
My grandmother was into genealogy, and assured us that we are descended from William the Conqueror. If that’s true (no one besides her has checked), I suppose parts of my family could confirm a number of British and European Wars.
I’m certain that various ancestors were involved in the religious wars in France. They were Huguenots and so they had to flee. These wars and the subsequent migrations created an enormous brain drain for France, as the Protestants had a lot of education, creativity, and drive. French Protestants in exile were famous for bringing industry and learning in the early years of the United States.
While I appreciate the sentiment, using the word ‘Happy’ makes me sad. It’s a rather somber day - there have been many soldiers lost in recent years
@compunaut I totally agree. It took me awhile to figure out what to put in the topic title because I definitely didn’t want to say happy. The pic I got off of Bing and its still not exactly what I wanted to say. I always thought of Memorial Day as a day to honor our military. I was advised by someone in the military that today is only for the fallen and they prefer not to be thanked on this day. It made me sad when I really got what he meant. Not that I didn’t know before but I just never considered it in that way…if that makes sense at all.
@mehbee I believe the appropriate phrasing is, “Honoring Memorial Day.” Or similar.
@Thumperchick Yes, that would work. It’s really hard to find the right way to express a sentiment for this day.
@compunaut the happy, at least in my mind, is the fact that we have our freedom because these folks were willing to lay down their lives to protect us. It is sad that they have to be remembered, but happy that because of their sacrifice we are free to meh.
Just a common soldier
@duodec Wow, that was touching, and kind of powerful.
@duodec That was excellent, and I’m off to share it with those that it will have meaning for (although I’d bet they’ve already seen it).
Done. Thanks for posting this.
@duodec great share.
@2many2no i wonder what the number is for the civil war? i thought i’d heard it is higher than the total of all others…
telling graphic though, thanks
@DMlivezey it’s complicated by whether you count non-combat deaths or not. Per wikipedia the total combat deaths for both sides was 215k but the non-combat deaths are pretty relevant and those add a further ~450k
@DMlivezey According to civilwar.org there was 620,000 military deaths.
Wikipedia has a vastly different total of 215,000 combat deaths plus estimated 450,000 “other” deaths.
@2many2no Wikipedia might not be stripping out the civilian deaths.
@DMlivezey @jbartus Here’s some additional information from civilwar.org
Wikipedia has this number without a breakdown:
@2many2no I am aware of the varied reasons for mortality, and if you look at my post right before your post with the chart, I noted Wikipedia’s breakdown which still disagrees with the number in your chart, my suggestion being that the discrepancy includes civilian deaths.
Thanks for this topic.
“Here’s a toast to the host
Of those who love the vastness of the sky,
To a friend we send a message of his brother men who fly.
We drink to those who gave their all of old…”
… and to all the other services’ fallen as well.
Have killer memorial day, bruh.
Thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in order to bring me amazing sales on kitchen appliances.
Also my freedom.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
John McCrae, 1915
@duodec One thing I love is that as long as I have been here is that you have always been present and accounted for in any veteran thread. Hope you had a great Memorial Day.
The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.”– Douglas MacArthur
@mfladd to be clear I’m not a veteran. I have regrets about that decision, and great respect for those who served, including a number of my relatives (fortunately none of whom have died in service since WW2).
@duodec Doesn’t matter to me (veteran) that you haven’t. Your respect for those who have is always present here. And I thank you.
Good reminder that today is for those no longer with us.
It’s always kinda weird to get 10% off at Home Depot or a free meal or whatever.
It ain’t my day today. It’s my Uncle Irvin’s (Burma '44).
What wars have your family/ancestors participated in? (all of you who wish to answer)
With mine, none of the recent conflicts
Korean War
WWII (both theaters)
WWI
Spanish-American War
Civil War (both sides, I am a closer relation to the Rebs)
War of Texas Independence
*Not sure re War of 1812.
Revolutionary War
*Not sure re French and Indian War
It goes without saying, but is important to say anyway: I owe the people who risked their lives, or lost their lives, to defend and protect this country a debt I cannot repay, a debt that is larger than my comprehension.
My grandmother was into genealogy, and assured us that we are descended from William the Conqueror. If that’s true (no one besides her has checked), I suppose parts of my family could confirm a number of British and European Wars.
I’m certain that various ancestors were involved in the religious wars in France. They were Huguenots and so they had to flee. These wars and the subsequent migrations created an enormous brain drain for France, as the Protestants had a lot of education, creativity, and drive. French Protestants in exile were famous for bringing industry and learning in the early years of the United States.
Amen to that. All that served, men or women, need to hear that we appreciate their service in the armed forces.