Sean Askay, a Google engineer, has developed a Google Earth layer, called Map of the Fallen, that contains detailed information of more than 5,700 service members who have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. So before you head off to that Memorial Day BBQ, take a moment to honor the men and women in uniform who have paid the ultimate price fighting for our freedom.
From Sean's Blog
This Memorial Day I would like to share with you a personal project of mine that uses Google Earth to honor the more than 5,700 American and Coalition servicemen and women that have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. I have created a map for Google Earth that will connect you with each of their stories—you can see photos, learn about how they died, visit memorial websites with comments from friends and families, and explore the places they called home and where they died.
So please take a look at this map, and explore the stories of heroism and sacrifice made across this nation and across the world. There are also Google Earth Tours that share the more personal stories of two soldiers whose families I've worked closely with on this project. Although this map only shows the hometowns and places of death for these soldiers, it's important to remember that each of these servicemen and women have a rich story in between, which leads me to something a Gold Star mom recently shared with me:
"There'll be two dates on your tombstone And all your friends will read 'em
But all that's gonna matter is that little dash between 'em..."
LINK (Google Earth 5.0 required)