Guest Post by Morbo
For many people, Memorial Day is a time to go to a picnic, hit the beach or just enjoy a day off work.
That’s fine, but we should remember it’s also a day to stop and reflect on those who have died fighting our nation’s wars. For some, this might mean visiting the gravesite of a family member who served in World War II, Korea or Vietnam and leaving flowers or simply freshening up the area.
But there’s something else you can do without leaving your computer that’s worthwhile this weekend. The Washington Post runs a project called “Faces of the Fallen.” It’s a photo gallery of soldiers who have died in Iraq. By clicking on a photo, you can read about the soldier’s hometown, his or her unit and how he or she died. Often there are links to articles in hometown newspapers with more information about the soldier.
Reading some at random is a sobering experience. Most of these soldiers are in their 20s. The articles about them in the local papers give a sense of the lives they led and remind us how tragic is to see such promise snuffed out at a young age.
As of May 25, the Iraq casualty rate for U.S. personnel stands at 3,802. Reading about some of the fallen is a reminder of how important it is that we bring the rest home. No more young lives full of promise and potential should be lost to this folly.