We will observe Memorial Day on Monday and for most of us, our thoughts will turn to our country’s monumental losses in past conflicts.
Relatively few of us will think of our more recent losses and the potential for more to come, as war drags on in Afghanistan and tensions ratchet up with Iran.
Since Memorial Day 2018, the U.S. has had 22 combat deaths: 18 in Afghanistan, two in Syria, and one each in Iraq and Somalia, according to MilitaryTimes.
It is easy to forget conflicts far away when we do not feel the effect of these deaths in Lincoln County.
We should remember these 22 service members – and the war our military continues to fight – when we hear the gun salutes on Memorial Day.
Memorial Day is a day to remember sacrifice, but when we remember the sacrifices of our troops, we can honor their memory further if we learn from those sacrifices.
