We are celebrating Memorial Day 2009!
Freedom is not free!
The 'Arrogance' of America ...
1- The American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne , France . A total of 2289 of our military dead.
We Apologize.
2- The American Cemetery at Ardennes , Belgium . A total of 5329 of our dead.
We are arrogant.
3- The American Cemetery at Brittany, France . A total of 4410 of our military dead.
Excuse us.
4- Brookwood , England American Cemetery. A total of 468 of our dead.
5- Cambridge , England . 3812 of our military dead.
6- Epinal , France American Cemetery. A total of 5525 of our Military dead.
7- Flanders Field , Belgium . A total of 368 of our military.
8- Florence , Italy . A total of 4402 of our military dead. 
9- Henri-Chapelle , Belgium . A total of 7992 of our military dead. 
10- Lorraine , France . A total of 10,489 of our military dead.
11- Luxembourg , Luxembourg . A total of 5076 of our military dead.
12- Meuse-Argonne. A total of 14246 of our military dead.
13- Netherlands , Netherlands . A total of 8301 of our military dead.
14- Normandy , France . A total of 9387 of our military dead.
15- Oise-Aisne , France . A total of 6012 of our military dead.
16- Rhone , France . A total of 861 of our military dead.
17- Sicily , Italy . A total of 7861 of our military dead.
18- Somme , France . A total of 1844 of our military dead.
19- St. Mihiel , France . A total of 4153 of our military dead.
20- Suresnes , France . a total of 1541 of our military dead.
IF I ADDED CORRECTLY, THE COUNT OF OUR MILITARY DEAD IN THESE TWENTY MEMORIALS ON FOREIGN SOIL IS 104,366.
That represents 35.8% of our total combat deaths in all theaters of World War II
(i.e., in Europe and the Pacific combined); or 25.7% of combat and other deaths in service (nontheater).
These were American military members that did not come home to 'rest in peace' near their homes and families, but were buried in far away lands of France, Belgium, England, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.
We should apologize to no one. Remind those of our sacrifices. And don't confuse arrogance with leadership.
As Americans, let's all look forward to the next elections to find a president who doesn't think we need to be ashamed.
These 104,366 military members, and their families
- parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters, wives and husbands, and children and grandchildren -
are the ones, and the only ones, that are due any form of an apology by any and all
Americans, including any elected or appointed government representatives. To do otherwise is gross disrespect and dishonor of their devoted service and duty to our nation, America, the United States of America.
