[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

>From the October 19, 2009 edition of the Army Times -

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The following U.S. service member died while supporting combat operations
in Iraq, confirmed by the Defense Department from October 2, 2009 through
October 8, 2009:

Army Maj. Tad T. Hervas, 48, of Coon Rapids, Minnesota; assigned to the
34th Infantry Division, Rosemont, Minnesota.

October 2, 2009 – October 8, 2009
Killed: 1; Wounded in action: 13

March 19, 2003 – October 8, 2009
Killed: 4,335; wounded in action: 31,535

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from October 2, 2009
through October 8, 2009:

Army Spc. George W. Cauley, 24, of Walker, Minnesota; assigned to the
114th Truck Company of the Minnesota Army National Guard in Duluth,
Minnesota.

Army Sgt. Justin T. Gallegos, 27, of Tucson, Arizona; assigned to the 3rd
Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Spc. Christopher T. Griffin, 24, of Kincheloe, Michigan; assigned to
the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Sgt. Joshua M. Hardt, 24, of Applegate, California; assigned to the
3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Spc. Kevin O. Hill, 23, of Brooklyn, New York; assigned to the 576th
Mobility Augmentation Company, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Sgt. Joshua J. Kirk, 30, of South Portland, Maine; assigned to the
3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Spc. Stephan L. Mace, 21, of Lovettsville, Virginia; assigned to the
3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Staff Sgt. Vernon W. Martin, 25 of Savannah, Georgia; assigned to the
3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Marine Lance Cpl. Alfonso Ochoa Jr., 20, of Armona, California; assigned
to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

Army Sgt. Michael P. Scusa, 22, of Villas, New Jersey; assigned to the 3rd
Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Marine Staff Sgt. Aaron J. Taylor, 27, of Bovey, Minnesota; assigned to
Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Wing Support Group 37, 3rd Marine
Aircraft Wing, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Army Pfc. Kevin C. Thomson, 22, of Reno, Nevada; assigned to the 3rd
Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth W. Westbrook, 41, of Shiprock, New Mexico;
assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

October 2, 2009 – October 8, 2009
Killed: 13; Wounded in action: 59

Oct. 10, 2001 – October 8, 2009
Killed: 844; Wounded in action: 4,225

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of October 6, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2009/d20091006ngr.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.