[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

>From the September 14, 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 August 28, 2009 through
September 3, 2009:

Army Staff Sgt. Todd W. Selge, 25, of Burnsville, Minnesota; assigned to
the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat
Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Army Spc. Jordan M. Shay, 22, of Salisbury, Massachusetts; assigned to the
5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

August 28, 2009 – September 3, 2009
Killed: 2; Wounded in action: 12

March 19, 2003 – September 3, 2009
Killed: 4,327; wounded in action: 31,495

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from August 28, 2009
through September 3, 2009:

Army 2nd Lt. Darryn D. Andrews, 34, of Dallas, Texas; assigned to 1st
Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team
(Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Baltazar Jr., 19, of San Antonio, Texas;
assigned to 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. Jordan M. Brochu, 20, of Cumberland, Maine. assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry
Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Benjamin P. Castiglione, 21, of Howell,
Michigan; assigned to the 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd
Marine Expeditionary Battalion.

Army Sgt. Randy M. Haney, 27, of Orlando, Florida; assigned to the 2nd
Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Staff Sgt. Michael C. Murphrey, 25, of Snyder, Texas; assigned to the
1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team
(Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

Army Spc. Tyler R. Walshe, 21, of Shasta California; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry
Division, Fort Lewis, Wash.

Army Spc. Jonathan D. Welch, 19, of Yorba Linda, California; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade, 2nd
Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

August 28, 2009 – September 3, 2009
Killed: 8; Wounded in action: 85

Oct. 10, 2001 – September 3, 2009
Killed: 802; Wounded in action: 3,807

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of September1, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2009/d20090901ngr.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.