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From: Cory Piper – Boy Scout Star Rank
Troop 13, Winona MN
This Sunday, November 11, marks the 93nd anniversary of the end of World War I and was also first proclaimed, by President Woodrow Wilson, as “Armistice Day”. In 1926, Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday starting in 1938. As a way to honor those who served bravely in all American wars, President Eisenhower signed legislation in 1954 to change the name to Veteran’s Day. Here are some other important facts that we, as Americans, should all remember regarding this national day:
Approximately 25,000 Americans died during the Revolutionary War, of which 5,000 died in battle.
Approximately 203,000 soldiers died in battle on both sides of American Civil War. Another 400,000 lost their lives to disease and starvation during this conflict.
Approximately 379 U.S. soldiers bravely gave their lives in the Spanish-American War.
Approximately 117,000 U.S. soldiers bravely gave their lives during WWI.
Approximately 416,800 U.S. soldiers bravely gave their lives during WWII.
Approximately 33,686 U.S. soldiers bravely gave their lives during the Korean War.
Approximately 58,138 U.S. soldiers bravely gave their lives during the Vietnam War.
Approximately 149 U.S soldiers bravely gave their lives during the Gulf War.
Approximately 4,486 U.S soldiers bravely gave their lives during the Iraq War.
Approximately 1,650 U.S soldiers bravely gave their lives so far in the Afghanistan War.
In all, more than 1.2 million American soldiers have given God’s gift of life to protect this country’s rights and freedoms.
The veterans of our community have organized several events to “Welcome home all veterans.” Please come out to Veteran’s Memorial Park at Lake Winona this Veteran’s Day to honor, and show your gratitude, to those men and women of our community, living and dead, who have put their lives in harm’s way to protect American’s from those who threaten our nation. The freedom that we all enjoy today came at an enormous price. A price we can never forget and by no means came free.
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