Memorial Day Weekend '23

The True Cost of War

May 26, 2023

Memorial Day, nor the weekend, seemed like much while I was growing up. Even though three of my four uncles, on my mother’s side, had or were serving in the United States Marine Corp.

Never knew my father, his names not even listed on my birth certificate.

My grandparents raised me, and I wasn’t close to my mother. She’s long since passed. I never questioned her about him when I traveled to Arizona, where she lived at the time, to attend college and try and forge a relationship with her. That attempted gesture never panned out and within six months of my arrival, she had left for Ohio unannounced to me. Definitely no way to leave your eldest child, even as a young adult.

That was in early ’83. And up to her passing in ’96 I had only spoken to her briefly on a couple occasions. I didn’t hate her. I skimpily didn’t care. Perhaps this is where I learned to become indifferent to certain aspects of life and my own feelings. Needless to say, I have no clue if my father or any of his family members had served in the armed forces.

I often wonder if my generations deaths in battle were of any real contribution to what’s called the greatest nation on the planet. I say that hesitantly and loosely, remembering this clip from “The Newsroom,” with actor Jeff Daniels. Sadly, I believe this is what they served for.

Although I’m inclined to believe the intent of the clip, the numbers are more than likely off. Yet the script writer’s point is well taken.

According to Timeline of American Involvement in Wars (thoughtco.com) seventeen wars or conflicts involving US Troops have been fought since 1960 (a year before myself or many of you were born.) My Generation.

I ask, what did we gain for those lost durning that timeline? I’m not saying bad actors like Osama bin laden shouldn’t have been taken out. He and his cronies most certainly should have. I am not anti-war nor anti-military.

What I am saying is, imagine what could’ve come if we were wiser at solutions and had spent half of the cost. Just maybe, America would still be the greatest nation on the planet.

Take the Gulf War for instance from 1990-91. I’ll use United States military casualties of war – Wikipedia numbers as there are various totals by different reporting agencies. Two hundred and ninety-four deaths are attributed to the war with another eleven hundred and forty-three casualties. And yet, cost our country over seven billion dollars (depending how you jiggle the numbers) per Economic Scene; The Broad Impact Of the Gulf War – The New York Times (nytimes.com).

That doesn’t change the fact I shouldn’t honor those that have served and died for mine and your benefit or lack thereof. Because I do honor them. But ask the bereaved relatives, friends and associates if the cost outweigh their loss.

I close with a tribute, not a celebration or even a ‘Happy Memorial Day’ salutation. But with dear friend Shanna Forrestall‘s titled ‘Remembering our Heros’ video. This is the true cost of war.