[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the November 23, 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 November 6, 2009 through
November 12, 2009:

Army Chief Warrant Officer Mathew C. Heffelfinger, 29, of Kimberly, Idaho;
assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade Combat
Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Marine Staff Sgt. Stephen L. Murphy, 36, of Jaffery, New Hampshire;
assigned to 2nd Intelligence Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force
Headquarters Group, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Earl R. Scott III, 24, of Jacksonville,
Florida; assigned to the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Brigade
Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

November 6, 2009 – November 12, 2009
Killed: 3; Wounded in action: 9

March 19, 2003 – November 12, 2009
Killed: 4,348; wounded in action: 31,566

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from November 6, 2009
through November 12, 2009:

Army Spc. Christopher J. Coffland, 43, of Baltimore, Maryland; assigned to
the 323rd Military Intelligence Battalion, Fort Meade, Maryland.

Marine Lance Cpl. Shawn P. Hefner, 22, of Hico, Texas; assigned to 2nd
Amphibious Assault Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary
Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Justin J. Swanson, 21, of Anaheim, California; assigned
to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

November 6, 2009 – November 12, 2009
Killed: 3; Wounded in action: 38

Oct. 10, 2001 – November 12, 2009
Killed: 910; Wounded in action: 4,472

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of November 10, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Nov2009/d20091110ngr.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.