“Without the, we wouldn’t be here”
By Bob Confer
Americans everywhere are enjoying this long weekend, an extended respite from the daily grind of work or school. To many, it is a joyous occasion, the unofficial start to summer.
That enjoyment of life and the rare chance to relax too often mask the real meaning of the Memorial Day holiday, one that recognizes the men and women who gave their lives so that we – and others around the world – might savor these weekends shared with family and friends.
It’s vitally important that each and every one of us take some time today to honor those who fell in battle. You need not partake in a parade or attend a solemn service but you should, in your own way, quietly and genuinely reflect upon and appreciate the accomplishments and lives of our fine armed forces of past and present.
Since the start of the Revolutionary War, almost 1.4 million Americans have paid the price for our nation’s goals and the American Way. To put that into perspective, that’s more than the population of Niagara and Erie Counties combined. So, imagine all of the homes and streets being completely devoid of people in Niagara Falls, Lockport, Buffalo, Amherst and all points in between and near. That haunting visual should give you a feel for the scale of sacrifice.
It should also give you ample reason to set aside some time to appreciate the meaning of those sacrifices. Those soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen saw and experienced horrors that very few of us ever will, and they gave their lives so that others may live, for the creation and preservation of human rights here and abroad, and for the furthering of our national interests.
America, the greatest nation ever conceived, would never have existed had men not fought to the death against British tyranny.
She would never have remained intact, nor would 3.5 million Blacks have been freed from slavery, had the North not found it morally necessary to preserve our nation or better the human existence.
The whole modern world would have been torn asunder and many millions more innocent lives taken by evil, had we not entered the two World Wars which cost over a half-million American lives.
Communism would have gained immeasurable might and influence had we not waged a proxy war against its principle powers – China and Russia – in the Koreas.
The Vietnam War may have been the most contentious in American history. 58,000 perished while having the honor, patriotism, and allegiance to stick with America, regardless of our nation’s divide.
The War on Terror was waged in Iraq and Afghanistan, with our men and women volunteering to fight for our security, wanting not to see a recurrence of 9/11 on our soil and ensuring those who initiated the attacks experienced what their victims had. Nearly 6,900 lost their lives in those theatres.
American history has long been saddled with military conflicts and occupations. Those high profile wars mentioned above are but a few of the dozens that have occurred in and out of our borders. In all of them, many died in – and sometimes later because of – combat.
Western New York has had its share of heroes who gave all. There was Corporal Jason Dunham of Allegany County who died from injuries sustained after using his helmet and body to shield his fellow Marines from a bomb blast in the Iraq War. Orleans County’s Sergeant James Sheret died in battle in World War I when he courageously rushed two enemy posts, revolvers blazing, at the Hindenburg Line. Niagara County’s Charles Balcom left school to join US forces in the Second World War; the sailor died at the age of 17 in the Normandy invasion. These men were just few of the thousands of locals who’ve perished.
All of our country’s fallen should be recognized for giving of themselves so that America can be and will be a nation of power, honor, and integrity, just as they were in the moments leading up to their ultimate sacrifice. Without them, we wouldn’t be here. So, please, memorialize them. It’s our patriotic duty and the right thing to do.
Bob Confer is a Niagara County writer, TV Host, businessman, and family man. He can be reached anytime at Bob@ConferPlastics.com
