Memorial Day...for those who gave their last full measure of devotion.

American Revolutionary War 1775-1783

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought fourth on this continent, a new nation,

War of 1812

conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Indian Wars 1775-1918

Mexican - American War 1846-1848

Now we are engaged in a civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.

Civil War 1861-1865

We are met here on a great battle-field of the war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that the nation might live.

Spanish American War April 1898-December 1898

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground.

World War I

The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.

World War II 1939-1945

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.

Korean War 1950-1953

It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

Vietnam War 1995-1975

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave their last full measure of devotion --

Afghanistan War 2001--- and Operation Iraqi freedom 2003--

That we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

~ The Gettysburg Address Abraham Lincoln