Let’s take a moment today, to reflect on the following numbers:
American Soldiers Killed In War
American Civil War 1861-1865: 755,000 lives lost
World War II 1941-1945: 405,399 lives lost
World War I 1917-1918: 116, 516 lives lost
Vietnam War 1961-1975: 58,209 lives lost
Korean War 1950-1953: 36, 574 lives lost
American Revolutionary War 1775-1783: 25,000 lives lost
War of 1812 1812-1815: 15,000 lives lost
Mexican American War 1846-1848: 13, 283 lives lost
Iraq War 2003-2011: 4, 576 lives lost
Phillipine American War 1899-1902: 4, 196 lives lost
Spanish American War 1898: 2, 246 lives lost
War in Afghanistan 2001- Present: 2, 216 lives lost
The Gulf War 1990-1991: 294 lives lost
Together, let us pray for the 1, 438, 509 men and women who died serving and protecting our country.
Today, Memorial Day – they live on in our hearts and their service is not forgotten,
“All Powerful God,
We honor today those men and women—
Our sons and daughters,
Husbands and wives,
Fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers—
Who have laid down their life for their country.
Whether weary or emboldened, quiet or defiant,
Vulnerable or ready when You called them home,
Their sacrifice is too humbling for words
except these uttered in prayer.
Loving Lord, bless them forever in Your eternal peace…
Cherish their spirit, honor their commitment,
send them our love,
and will never forget the service that they gave.”