Memorial Day: Remembering the Fallen Heroes

[Warbird]

"It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived." - General George S. Patton

Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Throughout our history, the men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States have placed the security of our Nation before their own safety. America will be forever grateful for their service and sacrifice. On Memorial Day, we honor those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.

Defending the ideals of our Nation has required the service and sacrifice of those from every generation. From Valley Forge, across Europe and Asia, and in Afghanistan and Iraq, courageous Americans have given their lives so that others could live in freedom. These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen took an oath to defend America, and they upheld that oath with bravery and decency. They have liberated the oppressed, spread freedom and peace, and set a standard of courage and compassion for our Nation. All who enjoy the blessings of liberty live in their debt.

This debt of gratitude extends also to the families who stood by our servicemen and women in times of war and times of peace. Each of the fallen has left behind loved ones who carry a burden of grief, and all Americans are inspired by the strength of these families.

At this important time in the history of freedom, a new generation of Americans is defending our flag and our liberty. These men and women carry on the legacy of our Nation's fallen heroes and demonstrate that the United States Armed Forces remain the greatest force for freedom in human history.

Those who lost their lives in the defense of freedom helped protect our citizens and lay the foundation of peace for people everywhere. On Memorial Day, a grateful Nation pays tribute to their personal courage, love of country, and dedication to duty.

In respect for their devotion to America, the Congress, by a joint resolution approved on May 11, 1950, as amended (64 Stat. 158), has requested the President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe each Memorial Day as a day of prayer for permanent peace and designating a period on that day when the people of the United States might unite in prayer. The Congress, by Public Law 106-579, has also designated the minute beginning at 3:00 p.m. local time on that day as a time for all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Memorial Day, May 29, 2006, as a day of prayer for permanent peace, and I designate the hour beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. of that day as a time to unite in prayer. I also ask all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3 p.m., local time, on Memorial Day. I encourage the media to participate in these observances. I also request the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff until noon on this Memorial Day on all buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States, and in all areas under its jurisdiction and control. I also request the people of the United States to display the flag at half staff from their homes for the customary forenoon period.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

The 18th Century
American Revolution
Dates: 1775 - 1783
Where: Eastern seaboard of North America
How It Ended: The Treaty of Paris was signed on Sept. 3, 1783
American Casualties: 4,435 (approx.)

The 19th Century
War of 1812
Dates: 1812 - 1815
Where: Canada, Eastern seaboard of the United States, Great Lakes and Lake Champlain
How It Ended: The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Dec. 24, 1814. Unaware of the treaty, Gen. Andrew Jackson engaged and crushed the British at New Orleans on January 8, 1815.
American Casualties: 2,260 (approx.)

Mexican War
Dates: 1846 - 1848
Where: Mexico and southwestern United States, including modern-day Texas, California and New Mexico
How It Ended: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed on Feb. 2, 1848.
American Casualties: 13,283 (approx.)

Civil War
Dates: 1861 - 1865
Where: Primarily in the Eastern half of the United States (east of the Mississippi River)
How It Ended: Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at the small settlement of Appomattox Court House in southwestern Virginia on April 9, 1865.
American Casualties: Union forces 646,512 and Confederate forces 133,821 (approx.)

Spanish-American War
Dates: April 25 - Aug. 12, 1898
Where: Mainly in the Spanish possessions of Cuba and the Philippines
How It Ended: The Treaty of Paris was signed on Dec. 10, 1898.
American Casualties: 2,446 (approx.)

The 20th Century
World War I
Dates: 1914 - 1918
Where: The Atlantic Ocean and Europe
How It Ended: Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919.
American Casualties: 116,708 (approx.)

World War II
Dates: 1939 - 1945
Where: Europe, North Africa, Asia, Australia, and Pacific islands including Hawaii, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans
How It Ended: Japan was the last Axis power to surrender on August 14, 1945, after the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
American Casualties: 407,316 (approx.)

Korean War
Dates: 1950 - 1953
Where: North and South Korea
How It Ended: The war reached a stalemate in June 1951. An armistice was finally reached on July 27, 1953.
American Casualties: 36,512 (approx.)

Vietnam War
Dates: 1954 - 1975
Where: Southeast Asia
How It Ended: The U.S. withdrew after a ceasefire in 1973, the war ended in a North Vietnamese victory in 1975.
American Casualties: 58,193 (approx.)

Persian Gulf War
Dates: August 1990 - April 1991
Where: Iraq and Kuwait
How It Ended: After a four-day ground war, an American-led coalition declared victory. A cease-fire agreement was signed on April 9, 1991.
American Casualties: 148 (approx.)


The 21st Century

War on Terrorism
Dates: Oct. 7, 2001 (War begins with U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan, after the terrorist attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001. Approximately 3,000 civilians and members of the military died as a result of the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.) - Conflict continues...
Where: An effort to combat terrorism world-wide begins in Afghanistan.
American Casualties in Afghanistan: 279 as of March 27, 2006

Iraq War
Dates: March 19, 2003 - Conflict continues...
Where: Iraq
American Casualties: 2,406 as of May 3, 2006

"Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy today forget in time that men have died to win them." - Franklin D. Roosevelt

Taps
Click here for music: http://www.usmemorialday.org/audio/taps.wav
Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh.
Go to sleep,
peaceful sleep,
May the soldier
or sailor,
God keep.
On the land
or the deep,
Safe in sleep.

Love, good night,
Must thou go,
When the day,
And the night
Need thee so?
All is well.
Speedeth all
To their rest.

Fades the light;
And afar
Goeth day,
And the stars
Shineth bright,
Fare thee well;
Day has gone,
Night is on.

Thanks and praise,
For our days,
'Neath the sun,
Neath the stars,
'Neath the sky,
As we go,
This we know,
God is nigh.

[rbob93]

Hear Hear!

To all my fallen brothers!

[snaggeltooth]

http://www.uspharmd.com/usmc/mchymn.htm For my fellow Devildogs SEMPER FI

[GREG7754]

To the buddies i lost june 03 june 04 in baghdad. I think of you today and every day. Love you guys! To the rest over there, come home safe. Hooha!!!

[Zboner]

just want to say thank you to all the men and women protecting this country.

[ss~zoso~ss]

+2

[needmorepwr]

Very thankfull that so many brave men and women gave up everything so that we are free to enjoy everyday. I don't take my freedom for granted and I never will.