While Memorial Day is a day many of us look forward to for pleasurable pursuits like grilling, fellowship, outdoor activities, holiday from work, etc., it's important that we never forget the sacrifices that made the day memorable. Known early on as Decoration Day, it came about as a way to honor fallen soldiers following the Civil War. It's estimated that over 620,000 soldiers died during the Civil War. That's more casualties than the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Mexican War, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean Wars combined. American soldiers in every generation have sacrificed everything to defend freedom here and abroad. Regardless of why these wars start, brave American men and women in uniform have always stepped up to serve. To all of those who have served in America's military, and to the families who sacrificed husbands, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters, we say Thank You and God Bless.

Many who serve refuse to speak about what they experienced in war. Some have left us with some very valuable bits of wisdom though...

"In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists, and will persist." - Dwight D. Eisenhower, American President & retired 5-star Army general

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty." - John F. Kennedy, American President

"He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." - Thomas Paine, American Founding Father, author of Common Sense

"My first wish is to see this plague of mankind, war, banished from the earth." - George Washington, American President

All the Best,  Team USWM