Well, it is here again. It is just another Memorial Day. There were 25,325 citizens who gave up their lives during the American Revolution so people like you and I could spend our holiday at the Mall.

It is just another Memorial Day. Still, this will give the family time to be together and see the latest Star Wars movie at Cinema 16. We don't have time to remember 2,260 Americans died in the War of 1812. 

Yes, it is just another Memorial Day. We wouldn't even get together for a family picnic, if those 498,332 men hadn't died for our right to do so, during the Civil War. 

Oh, it is Memorial Day again. We would fly our flag, if we could remember where we stored it. But, those 2,446 American soldiers who gave up their lives during the Spanish American War don't really care if the flag is raised.

Memorial Day. They told us that 116,316 Americans went to their deaths during World War I and 407,316 more died in World War II. Facts like that are just boring history. To think about those deaths would put a damper on the big day at the auto races. 

Oh, it is Memorial Day again and time to watch those old guys from the VFW and American Legion try to march with the flag and salute at local ceremonies. Why, they don't even have matching uniforms. And they are delaying the start of the big ball game. Anyway, who really remembers those 54,246 Americans who died during the Korean War they are honoring. 

It is just another Memorial Day. We have almost forgotten about the 58,151 young men and women who died in the Vietnam War. A few drinks at the big holiday party today and they won't even be a shadow in our minds. There have been twelve Memorial Days since the first shots were fired in the Persian Gulf and the War on Terror started. We don't know how many have died or how many more will earn their final reward. But, we do know the numbers are very small. Right now we need to worry about the rising cost of gasoline and the family trip. 

It is just another Memorial Day. There is less harmony in government than there was after September 11th. There is a return to political correctness. Petty politics prevails. The blame game is in full swing. There is only lip service given to our fighting forces of today and yesterday. The flag isn't flying as high or from as many flag poles.

Think about it America. Count those numbers of war dead again. Are you worth the price of those tombstones? This really is much more than just another Memorial Day. 

tomsegel@acnet.net 

Thomas D. Segel

Thomas D. Segel is a twice wounded, former combat correspondent who saw enemy action during the Korean War and two tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Gunnery Sergeant after 26 years of service. His next assignment was as Director of Information and adjunct faculty member of the Marine Military Academy. He then completed a new career and recently retired from service with the State of Texas, where he was Director, Division of Information, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Rio Grande State Center. He holds the Thomas Jefferson Award for Journalistic Excellence, The Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association Distinguished Performance Award and six Armed Forces Writers Association Distinguished Achievement Awards. Segel has authored four books, including "Men in Space" which received the honor of being placed on both the National High School and National Junior High School Library Lists. He currently writes for several on line publications, national magazines and newspapers. His writings are distributed nationally to more than 1,300 publications by the Paragon Foundation News Service. He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas Pan American and earned his masters degree at Vanderbilt University. He is a past national president of the United States Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association. Segel resides with his wife, Pattie, in Harlingen, Texas.       Webpage:   http://www.militaryesprit.net/tomdsegel.htm