[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the November 16, 2009 edition of the Army Times -

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Iraq, confirmed by the Defense Department from October 30, 2009 through
November 5, 2009:

Army Spc. Tony Carrasco Jr., 25, of Berino, New Mexico; assigned to 2nd
Battalion, 32nd Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Army Spc. Jonathon M. Sylvestre, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colorado;
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Heavy
Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia.

Army Staff Sgt. Amy C. Tirador, 29, of Albany, New York; assigned to the
209th Military Intelligence Company, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment,
3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis,
Washington.

October 30, 2009 – November 5, 2009
Killed: 3; Wounded in action: 12

March 19, 2003 – November 5, 2009
Killed: 4,345; wounded in action: 31,557

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from October 30, 2009
through November 5, 2009:

Army Spc. Aaron S. Aamot, 22, of Custer, Washington; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd
Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Army Spc. Julian L. Berisford, 25, of Benwood, West Virginia; assigned to
the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat
Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Marine Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright, 26, of Union Bridge, Maryland; 
assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps
Forces Special Operations Command, Camp Pendleton, California.

Army Spc. Gary L. Gooch Jr., 22, of Ocala, Florida; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd
Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Marine Sgt. Cesar B. Ruiz, 26, of San Antonio, Texas; assigned to Marine
Forces Reserve, New Orleans.

October 30, 2009 – November 5, 2009
Killed: 5; Wounded in action: 35

Oct. 10, 2001 – November 5, 2009
Killed: 907; Wounded in action: 4,434

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of November 3, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2009/d20091103ngr.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.