Thank You, Veterans

On this Veterans Day, thank you to all of the people who risk their lives every day in service to the USA.  There is simply no way to repay the families of those who have lost their lives.  Every citizen owes you a tremendous debt.

Some statistics to consider:

• There have been over 6,200 men and women killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last 10 years since the wars started.  The Washington Post has a tribute to each one at this link.  It is sobering, and worth a look.
• The United States spends almost 2x the next six countries combined on national defense.  Of those next six countries, only two are non-NATO countries (Russia and China).
• In its prime, the British empire spent 2x the next closest country to maintain it’s naval superiority
• US defense spending in 2010 was $698 billion.  The US budget deficit in 2010 was $1.2 trillion.
• China spent $114 billion in 2010.  Russia spent $53 billion.

Take a moment out of your day today and remember the fallen.