U.S. military veterans are honored for serving the United States of America with honor and self sacrifice to insure freedom. The memorial was dedicated November 11, 2006. In the American Revolution, 1776 - 1783, 217,000 served, with 4,435 battle deaths and 6,188 wounded. In the Civil War, 1861 - 1865, the North had 2,213,363 serve, with 140,414 battle deaths and 281,881 wounded, while the South had 1,050,000 serve, with 74,524 battle deaths and wounded unknown. In World War I, 1917 - 1918, 4,734,991 served, with 53,402 battle deaths, 204,002 wounded, and 3,350 missing in action. In World War II, 1940 - 1945, 16,112,566 served, with 291,557 battle deaths, 671,846 wounded, and 78,750 missing in action. In the Korean War, 1950 - 1953, 5,720,000 served, with 33,686 battle deaths, 130,284 wounded, and 8,215 missing in action. In the Vietnam War, 1964 - 1975, 9,200,000 served, with 47,410 battle deaths, 153,303 wounded, and 1,905 missing in action. In the Gulf War, 1990 - 1991, 2,322,332 served, with 148 battle deaths and 467 wounded.