What is the cost of freedom?

Did you know that since the birth of America as we know it, America has been in over 100 wars/conflicts since 1776? It's true. A war or conflict of some sort every 2 years and 4 months. That is an average ofcourse. It would probably take me that long to gather all the information for every inncodent. I am just covering the major ones in this blog. I think it will be enough for it's intended purpose. The list is as follows.


The Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783. There were 217,000 who served, 6,188 wounded, 4,435 dead.

War of 1812 lasted from 1812 to 1815. There were 286,730 who served, 4,505 wounded, 2,600 dead.

The Mexican-American War lasted from 1846 to 1848. 78,718 served, 4,152 wounded, 1,733 dead.

The Civil War lasted from 1861-1865. These numbers represent both sides: 3,213,363 served, 354,805 wounded, 191,963 dead.

The Spanish-American War lasted one year, 1898. There were 306,760 served, 1,662 wounded, 385 dead.

World War 1 lasted from 1917 to 1918. There were 4,734,991 who served, 204,002 wounded, 53,402 dead.

World War 2 lasted from 1941 to 1945. There were 16,112,566 who served, 671,846 wounded, 291,557 dead.

The Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953. There were 5,720,000 who served, 103,284 wounded, 33,741 dead.

The Vietnam War actually lasted from 1959 to 1975. There were 8,744,000 who served, 153,303 wounded, 47,424 dead.

The Persian War also lasted only one year 1991. There were 2,225,000 who served, 467 wounded, 147 dead.

The War on Terrorism has continued since 2001 and is still going on. The D.O.D. is rather vague on the exact numbers. This has been a standard in former wars. The best I could find was rather old information dating back to Aug, 2008. There has been an estimate of 1,000,000 serving, an estimated 30,920 wouded and an estimated 4,712 dead.

The grand total of American loss in 233 years is nothing short of horrifying and disgusting. 42,639,128 served/serving, 1,535,134 wounded, and 631,759 dead. Not to mention the other 89 wars/conflicts in between, and countless POW/MIA still missing.

So, with this information, I pose one question. What right does a person have to wear baggy pants, or spiked hair, or drink alcohol, or smoke, or practice religion? This question could go on and on. Yes, some might think it is disrespectful, silly, pathetic, disgusting, or even unwanted. However, What right do they have? Every right! Over 42 million people say they can.

The point is simply this: We all have our little quircks, we are all human beings. Perhaps we should start acting like it.

Let us thank and remember the ones that have served in the past, and thank and pray for the ones who are currently serving. Also pray for the ones that are still missing (you will never be forgotten).