REMEMBER THE FALLEN

The staff of The Green Free Library would like to wish all patrons, visitors and staff a safe and “Happy Memorial Day”, But more importantly we would like to honor all of the brave men and woman who have given their lives fighting for our country and our freedom. They have certainly taught us that freedom is not free. We would also like to thank all currently serving in the armed forces as well as Veterans who have previously served.

As you are enjoying this beautiful day with your family and friends, please take a moment and remember the true meaning of the day. To many of us it signifies the beginning of summer and is celebrated with fun, food and festivities. It is only upon the blood, sweat and tears of the soldiers that fought and died for us that we have the opportunity to partake in meaningless frivolities on a day original seeped in sorrow.

Memorial Day was established as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation’s service. It was originally named Decoration Day. Like many holidays, its exact origin is somewhat unclear. As many as two dozen cities lay claim to the honor of being the birthplace of Memorial Day, including Waterloo, NY, and Pennsylania’s own Boalsburg.


Also like many U.S. holidays, the day of observance has been changed several times. The traditional day is May 30, but we observe the day on the last Monday of the month. Where the day was established, and when it is observed is not as important as why and how.

USMemorialDay.org gives these tips pn how to observe Memorial Day.

· by visiting cemeteries and placing flags or flowers on the graves of our fallen heroes.
· by visiting memorials.
· by flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff until noon.
· by flying the 'POW/MIA Flag' as well (Section 1082 of the 1998 Defense Authorization Act).
· by participating in a "National Moment of Remembrance": at 3 p.m. to pause and think upon the true meaning of the day, and for Taps to be played.
· by renewing a pledge to aid the widows, widowers, and orphans of our falled dead, and to aid the disabled veterans




Please peruse these statistics compiled by the US Department of Veterans Affairs in 2007.


Global War on Terror (Oct. 2001 - )

Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)...............1,384,968
Deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan....................165,000
Battle Deaths...................................................2,333
Other Deaths (In Theater).....................................707
Non-mortal Woundings....................................21,649
Living Veterans.............................................588,923***
The Global War on Terror (GWOT), including Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are ongoing conflicts. For the most current GWOT statistics, visit: the following Department of Defense Website: http://siadapp.dior.whs.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/castop.htm

American Revolution (1775-1783)
Total Servicemembers ..................................217,000
Battle Deaths ..................................................4,435
Non-mortal Woundings......................................6,188

War of 1812 (181-1815)
Total Servicemembers...................................286,730
Battle Deaths..................................................2,260
Non-mortal Woundings.....................................4,505

Indian Wars (approx. 1817-1898)
Total Servicemembers...................................106,000
Battle Deaths...................................................1,000

Mexican War (1846-1848)
Total Servicemembers.....................................78,718
Battle Deaths...................................................1,733
Other Deaths in Service...................................11,550
Non-mortal Woundings......................................4,152

Civil War (1861-1865)
Total Servicemembers (Union).....................2,213,363
Battle Deaths (Union)....................................140,414
Other Deaths in Service (Union)......................224,097
Non-mortal Woundings (Union).......................281,881
Total Servicemembers (Conf.)......................1,050,000
Battle Deaths (Confederate).............................74,524
Other Deaths in Service (Confed.)....................59,297
*Non-mortal Woundings (Confed.) .................Unknown

Spanish-American War (1898-1902)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide).................306,760
Battle Deaths......................................................385
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)................2,061
Non-mortal Woundings......................................1,662

World War I (1917-1918)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)...............4,734,991
Battle Deaths.................................................53,402
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)..............63,114
Non-mortal Woundings..................................204,002
Living Veterans.......................................................4

World War II (1941-1945)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide).............16,112,566
Battle Deaths................................................291,557
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater).............113,842
Non-mortal Woundings..................................671,846
Living Veterans..........................................2,914,000

Korean War (1950-1953)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)..............5,720,000
Battle Deaths.................................................33,741
Other Deaths (In Theater)..................................2,833
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)..............17,672
Non-mortal Woundings..................................103,284
iving Veterans..........................................2,970,000

Vietnam War (1964-1975)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)..............8,744,000
Deployed to Southeast Asia........................3,403,000
Battle Deaths.................................................47,424
Other Deaths (In Theater)................................10,785
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)..............32,000
Non-mortal Woundings..................................153,303
Living Veterans..........................................7,230,600

Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1990-1991)
Total Servicemembers (Worldwide)..............2,322,000
Deployed to Gulf...........................................694,550
Battle Deaths......................................................147
Other Deaths (In Theater).....................................235
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater)................1,590
Non-mortal Woundings.........................................467
Living Veterans...........................................2,271,000


America's Wars Total
U.S. Military Service During War................43,185,893
Battle Deaths................................................653,708
Other Deaths (In Theater).................................14,560
Other Deaths in Service (Non-Theater).............525,930N
on-mortal Woundings................................1,447,281
Living War Veterans..................................17,835,000
Living Veterans (War & Peacetime)............23,698,000

* Does not include 26,000 to 31,000 who died in Union prisons.Source: Department of Defense (DoD), except living veterans, which are VA estimates. Estimates are as of September 30, 2006.
NOTES:1. Exact number is unknown. Posted figure is the median of estimated range from 184,000 – 250,000.2. Exact number is unknown. Posted figure is median of estimated range from 600,000 – 1,500,000.3. Death figures are based on incomplete returns.4. Does not include 26,000 to 31,000 who died in Union prisons.5. Estimate based upon new population projection methodology.6. VA estimate does not include those still on active duty and may include veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.Source: Department of Defense (DOD), except living veterans, which are VA estimates as of May 2007. For additional information and statistics click here.