Memorial Day speaker: America owes its troops for their sacrifices

There's a simplistic and naive belief that war doesn't solve anything, Mike Herman told those who attended Monday's Memorial Day service at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

?That mindset is fine, the retired South Dakota Army National Guard colonel said, unless you care to account for the United States winning its independence, the preservation of the union, the elimination of slavery and toppling of both terrorist and imperialist regimes around the world.

?More than 1.2 million American soldiers have died in military conflicts through the history of the nation. And, Herman said, they didn't die accomplishing nothing.

?"We owe it to the men and women who have died defending America since our nation's founding to live life to the fullest," Herman said.

?And we owe it to them, he said, to remember that Memorial Day is not simply the kickoff of the summer season or a day away from work.

?"Today is a solemn day of remembrance, a day that should be properly set aside for contemplation," Herman said. "Ask yourself where you'd be without the personal sacrifice made by these men and women."

?Herman briefly recounted many of the country's wars and military conflicts, a reminder of that troops and soldiers have been fighting and dying for the United States for roughly 230 years.

?"Scripture tells us that there is no greater love than a man laying down his life for his friends. The men and women that we honor and remember today have proven that they are not just friends to us as Americans, but they are friends to men and women in countries around the world," Herman said.

?More than 1,000 veterans are buried at Sunset Memorial Gardens. Counts from different military conflicts include:

? World War I: 112

? World War II: 577

? Korean War: 216

? Vietnam War: 77

? Desert Storm: 6

? Iraq/Afghanistan: 3

? Peacetime: 63

?The service featured a traditional 21-gun salute and the playing of taps. Representatives from groups that ranged from the Girl Scouts to the Knights of Columbus to the American Legion Auxiliary laid wreaths at the base of U.S. and American Legion flags, a sign of respect for past sacrifices.

Source: http://www.aberdeennews.com/news/aan-memorial-day-speaker-america-owes-its-troops-for-their-sacrifices-20130527,0,4240249.story?track=rss

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