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What is Memorial Day?

Proud Marine Dad

Proud Marine Dad

This is what Memorial Day is all about. It's not about BBQ's, it's not about family and get togethers and although I understand people wanting to include them, it's not about those serving now or who have served in the past. That is what Veterans Day is for. This is the reality of what Memorial Day is all about:

Civil War - 1861–1865 - 214,938 American lives lost
World War I - 1917-1918 - 53,402 American lives lost
World War II - 1941-1945 - 291,557 American lives lost
Korean War - 1950-1953 - 33,686 American lives lost
Vietnam War - 1955-1975 - 47,424 American lives lost
Afghanistan War - 2001-Present - 1,435 American lives lost
Iraq War - 2003-2011 - 3,542 American lives lost

Grand total of all wars listed on Wikipedia from 1775-Present - 848,163 American lives lost
These are combat deaths not total deaths which are far higher.
 
Please take some time to reflect on what these men and women have done for us so that we can live free.
 
 
I agree 100% but don't dismiss people celebrating this holiday with BBQs etc. in their honor, memorials are a gathering of family and are a celebration of life, and not just grieving, so I've always thought this unofficial start to summer a great time for Memorial Day... it doesn't get overlooked like some holidays. Have them in your thoughts and realize you are able to celebrate because they fought for your freedom, and you are honoring their sacrifice. Happy Memorial Day!
 
Memorial day is for the brave young Marine, barely out of high school, who throws himself on a grenade to shield his comrades. He's an anonymous soldier to most of us. We don't usually know his name or hear his story. But he gave his life for his friends and for his country. These men are remarkable. Honor them. Fly flags. And by all means, gather friends and family for feasts. But don't forget what we gather to celebrate. Men have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country. They're the reason the holiday even exists.
 
This about a friend of mine I grew up with. Tom Creek . This is a short version of his story. There is much much more about him in the Amarillo Globe news. I know Tom wasn't the first and won't be the last to sacrifice his self for his brothers at arms . Phil's post made me want to share Tom's story. I know there are many many more stories out there.
 
 
Thomas Creek was born on April 7, 1950, in Joplin, Missouri. He grew up in Amarillo, Texas, where he attended Forest Hill Elementary School, Horace Mann Jr. High School, and Palo Duro High School.
Creek enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on January 16, 1968. He completed recruit training with the 1st Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California, in March 1968. He received individual combat training with Company A, 1st Battalion, 2d Infantry Training Regiment, at Camp Pendleton, California, in April, and basic infantry training with Rifle Training Company, Basic Infantry Training Battalion, 2nd Infantry Training Regiment at Camp Pendleton, in May 1968. He was promoted to private first class on June 1, 1968.
In July 1968, he was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. He first saw duty as a rifleman with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 27th Marines, 1st Marine Division. In September 1968, he was assigned duty as fire team leader with Company I, 3rd Battalion 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division and was promoted to lance corporal on November 1, 1968.
While serving as fire team leader, he was killed in action on February 13, 1969, near the Cam Lo resettlement village. Creek's squad was escorting a convoy of trucks bringing supplies to Vandegrift Command Base when it was ambushed. While under enemy mortar fire, Creek moved to a position to attack the hidden enemy, engaging in a fire fight. While moving to a better position, he was shot in the neck and fell into a gully near fellow Marines who had taken cover; a grenade landed between Creek and the other Marines. Creek rolled on top of the grenade and took the full force of the blast, saving the lives of those around him. His men continued the fight, defeated the enemy force and the convoy was able to continue.
Creek was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor — which was presented to his family by Vice President Spiro Agnew on April 20, 1970 at the White House.[1]
He is buried in the Llano City Cemetery in Amarillo.
 
 
Sorry for link parts ... I did a cut 'n' paste and didn't think those would fallow ....
 
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