[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

>From the October 5, 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 September 25, 2009
through October 1, 2009:

Army Spc. Paul E. Andersen, 49, of Dowagiac, Michigan; assigned to the
855th Quartermaster Company, South Bend, Indiana.

Army Spc. Ross E. Vogel, III, 27, of Red Lion, Pennsylvania; assigned to
the 67th Signal Battalion, 35th Signal Brigade, Fort Gordon, Georgia.

September 25, 2009 – October 1, 2009
Killed: 2; Wounded in action: 7

March 19, 2003 – October 1, 2009
Killed: 4,336; wounded in action: 31,529

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from September 25,
2009 through October 1, 2009:

Army Sgt. Ryan C. Adams, 26 of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; assigned to the
951st Engineer Company (Sapper), Wisconsin Army National Guard,
Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

Army Staff Sgt. Alex French IV, 31, of Milledgeville, Georgia; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Army Spc. Russell S. Hercules Jr., 22 of Murfreesboro, Tennessee; assigned
to the 4th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 159th Combat Aviation
Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Army Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III, 26, of Bethany, Oklahoma; assigned to
the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Army Pfc. Alan H. Newton Jr., 26, of Asheboro, North Carolina; assigned to
the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. Brandon A. Owens, 21, of Memphis, Tennessee; assigned to the
118th Military Police Company, 503rd Military Police Battalion, 16th
Military Police Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Staff Sgt. Thomas D. Rabjohn, 39, of Litchfield Park, Arizona;
assigned to the 363rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Coolidge, Arizona.

Army Sgt. Roberto D. Sanchez, 24 of Satellite Beach, Florida; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield Ga.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw, 37, of Markham, Illinois;
assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, Fort Lewis,
Washington.

Army Capt. Benjamin A. Sklaver, 32, of Medford, Massachusetts; assigned to
the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Army Sgt. Aaron M. Smith, 25, of Manhattan, Kansas; assigned to the 2nd
Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain
Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

September 18, 2009 – September 24, 2009
Killed: 11; Wounded in action: 58

Oct. 10, 2001 – September 24, 2009
Killed: 842; Wounded in action: 4,224

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of September 29, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2009/d20090929ngr.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
Newbury Park, California

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

-- Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.