[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the March 1, 2010 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 February 12, 2010 through
February 18, 2010:

February 12, 2010 – February 18, 2010
Killed: 0; Wounded in action: 18

March 19, 2003 – February 18, 2010
Killed: 4,366; wounded in action: 31,669

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from February 12, 2010
through February 18, 2010:

Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua H. Birchfield, 24, of Westville, Indiana;
assigned to 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I
Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.

Army Staff Sgt. Michael David P. Cardenaz, 29, of Corona, California;
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat
Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Sean L. Caughman, 43, of Fort Worth, Texas;
assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion Twenty-Two.

Marine Pfc. Kyle J. Coutu, 20, of Providence, Rhode Island; assigned to
3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Pfc. Eric D. Currier, 21, of Londonderry, New Hampshire; assigned
to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Kielin T. Dunn, 19, of Chesapeake, Virginia; assigned to
1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Staff Sgt. Christopher W. Eckard, 30, of Hickory, North Carolina;
assigned to 8th Engineer Support Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, II
 Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Pfc. Jason H. Estopinal, 21, of Dallas, Georgia; assigned to 2nd
Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Matthias N. Hanson, 20, of Buffalo, Kentucky; assigned
to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Larry M. Johnson, 19, of Scranton, Pennsylvania;
assigned to 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Sgt. Jeremy R. McQueary, 27, of Columbus, Indiana; assigned to 2nd
Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary
Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Bobby J. Pagan, 23, of Austin, Texas; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Marine Lance Cpl. Adam D. Peak, 25, of Florence, Kentucky; assigned to 2nd
Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp
Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Noah M. Pier, 25, of Charlotte, North Carolina; assigned
to 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Army Staff Sgt. John A. Reiners, 24, of Lakeland, Florida; assigned to the
1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th
Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Marine Cpl. Gregory S. Stultz, 22, of Brazil, Indiana; assigned to 3rd
Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary
Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Marine Cpl. Jacob H. Turbett, 21, of Canton, Michigan; assigned to 2nd
Combat Engineer Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary
Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Eric L. Ward, 19, of Redmond, Washington; assigned to
2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. Charles A. Williams, 29, of Fair Oaks, California; assigned to
the 97th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, Fort
Riley, Kansas.

Army Sgt. Jeremiah T. Wittman, 26, of Darby, Montana; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Marine Lance Cpl. Alejandro J. Yazzie, 23, of Rock Point, Arizona;
assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

February 12, 2010 – February 18, 2010
Killed: 21; Wounded in action: 112

October 10, 2001 – February 18, 2010
Killed: 993; Wounded in action: 5,004

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of February 16, 2010)
http://www.defense.gov/news/Feb2010/d20100216ngr.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.