[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the February 8, 2010 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 January 22, 2010 through
January 28, 2010:

Army Pfc. Scott G. Barnett, 24, of Concord, California; assigned to the
412th Aviation Support Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade,
Katterbach, Germany.

January 22, 2010 – January 28, 2010
Killed: 1; Wounded in action: 6

March 19, 2003 – January 28, 2010
Killed: 4,365; wounded in action: 31,639

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from January 22, 2010
through January 28, 2010:

Army Spc. Marc P. Decoteau, 19, of Waterville Valley, New Hampshire;
assigned to the 6th Psychological Operations Battalion (Airborne), 4th
Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Michael L. Freeman Jr., 21, of Fayetteville,
Pennsylvania; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine
Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Sgt. Carlos E. Gill, 25, of Fayetteville, North Carolina; assigned to
the 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, Washington.

Marine Sgt. David J. Smith, 25, of Frederick, Maryland; assigned to 4th
Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces
Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, California.

Army Capt. David J. Thompson, 39, of Hooker, Oklahoma; assigned to the 3rd
Battalion 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

January 22, 2010 – January 28, 2010
Killed: 5; Wounded in action: 40

October 10, 2001 – January 28, 2053
Killed: 963; Wounded in action: 4,826

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Casualty Status
(as of January 26, 2010)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/casualty.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
SFC, US Army (Retired)
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.