[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the February 22, 2010 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 February 5, 2010 through
February 11, 2010:

Army Pfc. Adriana Alvarez, 20, of San Benito, Texas; assigned to the 504th
Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, Washington.

February 5, 2010 – February 11, 2010
Killed: 1; Wounded in action: 3

March 19, 2003 – February 11, 2010
Killed: 4,366; wounded in action: 31,651

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The following U.S. service member died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from February 5, 2010
through February 11, 2010:

Army Sgt. Adam J. Ray, 23, of Louisville, Kentucky; assigned to the 4th
Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd
Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

February 5, 2010 – February 11, 2010
Killed: 1; Wounded in action: 12

October 10, 2001 – February 11, 2010
Killed: 971; Wounded in action: 4,892

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Casualty Status
(as of February 9, 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.