[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

>From the October 5, 2009 edition of the Army Times -

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No U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations in Iraq,
confirmed by the Defense Department from September 18, 2009 through
September 24, 2009:

September 18, 2009 – September 24, 2009
Killed: 0; Wounded in action: 9

March 19, 2003 – September 24, 2009
Killed: 4,334; wounded in action: 31,522

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from September 18,
2009 through September 24, 2009:

Army Spc. Kevin J. Graham, 27, of Benton, Kentucky; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd
Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Air Force Tech Sgt. James R Hornbarger, 33, of Castle Rock, Washington;
assigned to the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Beale Air Force Base,
California.

Marine Lance Cpl. John J. Malone, 24, of Yonkers, New York; assigned to
2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine
Expeditionary Fore, based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.

Army Pfc. William L. Meredith, 26, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; assigned
to the 569th Engineer Company, 4th Engineer Battalion, Fort Carson,
Colorado.

Army Sgt. Titus R. Reynolds, 23, of Columbus, Ohio; assigned to the 4th
Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd
Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Army Sgt. Edward B. Smith, 30, of Homestead, Florida; assigned to the 4th
Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd
Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Army Spc. Joseph V. White, 21, of Bellevue, Washington; assigned to the
4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

September 18, 2009 – September 24, 2009
Killed: 7; Wounded in action: 77

Oct. 10, 2001 – September 24, 2009
Killed: 831; Wounded in action: 4,166

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of September 22, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Sep2009/d20090922ngr.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.