The brutal human cost of war: 5-30-16

Memorial Day, which is today, differs, as you no doubt know, from Veterans Day, which comes in November and which used to be called Armistice Day to mark the end of World War I.

The latter honors all veterans. Today, by contrast, is set aside to remember men and women who died while serving in the American military.

In either case, however, we are called to remember the cost of moral and political failure, which is what war represents. As I've said before, I'm not a pacifist. I understand that there are times when military force is required as a last resort to protect our citizens.

But I do think it is worth putting the failures that all wars are into some kind of perspective. And perhaps the best way to do that is to count the cost in human lives. And it's also worth remembering that the great religions of the world teach, in various ways, that each human life is precious and worthy of ultimate dignity and respect -- in large part because that life was one of God's creations.

There are several ways that the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs and others count those who died in military service. You can see that in this chart, which draws on figures from those two departments. But if we start with the American Revolution and add up battle deaths, other in-theater and out-of-theater deaths through the current "War on Terror," as it's often called, we come up to about 1.2 million Americans.

Each of those numbered had and has a name. Each had and has a history. Each had, but no longer has, a future.

The human propensity for war shames us. But in the midst of our remorse, we do well to give thanks for those who served their country, even if, at times, they had to fight in conflicts that our nation's leaders should have avoided by waging peace.

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NOT QUITTING THE PAPACY

Pope Francis says he has no intention of resigning, as his predecessor, Benedict XVI, did. Good. But, personally, I wish he were pushing 60 instead of pushing 80.