Thank a WWII vet while you still can

Beginning with the Revolutionary War in 1775 and up to the present moment with the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, American casualties both dead and wounded in all major conflicts total approximately 2,408,690 men and women. This figure does not include our Missing-in-Action (MIA) for the same time period, which totals approximately 44,300.

The direct civilian casualties is incalculable, but for WWII alone is estimated at more than 50 million ... and the "indirect casualties" in the form of bereaved family members and friends left behind adds millions more to that figure. Each of these military dead or wounded gave a lot more to life than a mere statistic represents.

We have all heard of the heroes of war, but more importantly we all walk by vets every day who quietly have gone about their lives after serving and defending our freedom. You do not know who they are, and they are not about to stop you and tell you. However, you can read about them every day - usually only in the obituaries. Here's a small sampling from the last couple weeks: "Wallace, 85, served in Army Anti-Aircraft Battery in Germany in WWII... Paul, 84, proud WWII veteran, corporal in the infantry... Michael, 74, served in Air Force in Korean War... Patricia Anne, 76, First Lieutenant in Army Nurse Corps... Burton, 89, decorated hero of WWII receiving Bronze Star at the Battle of the Bulge and Battlefield Commission as member of the 11th Armored Division... Melvin, 86, Second Lieutenant in Medical Corps served in the Philippines... Carl, 77, served with First Marine Air Wing during Korean War."

Many of these people were part of "The Greatest Generation" of WWII. Ordinary people who served their country in an extraordinary way. They are now dying by the thousands each week, and it is the job of all of us who survive them to carry-on their legacy. Hug a WWII vet and say thanks, while you still can.

Steve Thompson

St. Charles