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Memorial Day… Celebrate, Remember

By Brad Groux ⋅ May 25, 2007 ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ Post a comment

A long-awaited three day weekend approaches and many of us working the nine to five jobs in cubicles are rejoicing at the thought of having another lounge or party day this weekend… and better yet, the thought of a short four day week to follow. However, as we are all sitting pool-side or hitting up a dance club on Sunday night we need to take a few moments to remember why we are given the gift of that extra day off once a year. We need to remember the brave souls from past, present and future generations that make our lives possible.

I’m sure the vast majority of those reading this have had their lives completely changed in one form or another because of the wars that this great land has been a part of, and we all need to truly take a moment to remember and thank those brave souls who fought in them. Whether you had a family member or friend perish on the battlefield or had a loved one battle the ghosts of the battlefield years after the war has ended, every one of them made a sacrifice, and their families made sacrifices as well.

When celebrating the patriotic holidays of our country the sacrifices of military families go unnoticed and unappreciated far too often. Anyone who had a father come back from the Vietnam war knows all too well the effects of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or other mental and health issues that arise from the horrendous battlefields… so I ask that when you take a moment to honor the brave souls that fought that you please take a moment to thank their loved ones as well… they are the true heroes.

Regardless of your political or moral beliefs I pray that all Americans take a moment and reflect on where we would be as a world today if the brave men and women of our armed services present and past wouldn’t have taken up arms to protect the freedoms that we all take for granted today. Sadly we live in an imperfect world where war is inevitable and had the bravest of the brave not stood up and fought for what was right or just none of what we see and hold dear to us would be around today.

To date there have been over 657,000 Americans perish on the battlefields while another 527,000 dying while in service of our armed forces during all major conflicts. That is well over a million Soldiers, Airmen, Seaman and Marines that have lost their lives in defense of our liberties. Imagine the impact if you will of the families of those brave souls, they were men and women that were mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, granddaughters, grandsons and so on.

I’d like to personally thank all of the brave men and women that choose to protect this nation and it’s freedoms in anyway… including my father Robert Edward Groux Sr. who served in the Army and was wounded in combat during Vietnam, both of my grandfathers, my great-uncle, my step-father and my best friend Arnold Castro who also served. Without these men and their courage and sacrifices I wouldn’t be the man I am today. Remember them.

America’s Wars Total
Military Service During War: 43,185,893
Battle Deaths: 653,708
Other Deaths In Service (theater): 14,560
Other Deaths In Service (non-theater): 525,930
Non-Mortal Wounds: 1,447,281
Living War Veterans: 17,835,0004
Living Veterans: 23,976,000

Currently listening to: Fischerspooner - Just Let Go

Tags: Heroes, History, Soldiers