[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

>From the August 24, 2009 edition of the Army Times -

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No U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations in Iraq,
confirmed by the Defense Department from August 7, 2009 through August 13,
2009:

August 7, 2009 – August 13, 2009
Killed: 0; wounded in action: 3

March 19, 2003 – August 13, 2009
Killed: 4,320; wounded in action: 31,463

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from August 7, 2009
through August 13, 2009:

Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard, 21, of New Portland, Maine; assigned
to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

Marine Sgt. William J. Cahir, 40, of Washington D.C.; assigned to 4th
Civil Affairs Group, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Washington D.C.

Marine Lance Cpl. Bruce E. Ferrell, 21, of Perdido, Alabama; assigned to
2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Cpl. Nicholas R. Roush, 22, of Middleville, Michigan; assigned to the
1st Psychological Operations Battalion, 4th Psychological Operations Group
(Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Capt. John Tinsley, 28, of Tallahassee, Florida; assigned to 2nd
Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North
Carolina.

August 7, 2009 – August 13, 2009
Killed: 5; Wounded in action: 80

Oct. 10, 2001 – August 13, 2009
Killed: 762; Wounded in action: 3,522

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of August 11, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug 2009/d20090811ngr.pdf

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And the beat goes on . . .

"Bring 'em Home"
http://www.tomandrodna.com/Songs/Bring_em_Home.mp3

"If you love this land of the free
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Bring them back from overseas
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

It will make the politicians sad, I know
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
They wanna tangle with their foe
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

They wanna test their grand theories
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
With the blood of you and me
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

Now we'll give no more brave young lives
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
For the gleam in someone's eyes
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

The men will cheer and the boys will shout
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Yeah and we will all turn out
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

The church bells will ring with joy
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
To welcome our darlin' girls and boys
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home

We will lift our voice and sound
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home
Yeah, when Johnny comes marching home
Bring 'em home, bring 'em home."

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Pro patria,

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the
tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."

-- Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.