Because most people today have no idea when a 75 year old vet succumbs to multiple myeloma or leukemia, that he actually died as a result of being poisoned on the battlefield.
Ya. True
Before reading your #81 I could easily and confidentially argue there is a sharp distinction between "dying while in in the service of your country" and "dying in combat".
There are, of course, two distinct and self-explanatory holidays for our veterans; moreover, not everyone who happens to be injured in a war zone is entitled to a Purple Heart, that being awarded as the result of being wounded in combat.
Your post, however, suggests a better distinction may be that any surviving service member that later died from "combat-related circumstances" is clearly entitled to have their name on the roster on Memorial Day. This would include any who suffered life-challenging injuries.
Thank you.