In a letter to the Bellevue Reporter dated Sept. 22, the writer took issue with professional athletes “taking a knee” during playing of the national anthem prior to sports events. I am writing not to comment on the writer’s point of view, but to correct an obvious error in the letter.

It was stated that “20 million American soldiers alone gave their lives in World War II.” This figure is inflated by nearly 50 fold. The official estimate of the total number of U.S. service members (all services, not just soldiers) who died (combat and noncombat fatalities combined) in World War II is only 407,300 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties#cite_note-JT_17_744-750-159).

L. McCrone

Bellevue