[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the June 14, 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 May 28, 2010 through
June 3, 2010:

Army Pvt. Francisco J. Guardado-Ramirez, 21, of Sunland Park, New Mexico;
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade
Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Army Pfc. Alvaro R. Regalado Sessarego, 37, of Virginia Beach, Virginia;
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat
Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

May 28, 2010 – June 3, 2010
Killed: 2; Wounded in action: 12

March 19, 2003 – June 3, 2010
Killed: 4,391; wounded in action: 31,839

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from May 28, 2010
through June 3, 2010:

Marine Sgt. Brandon C. Bury, 26, of Kingwood, Texas; assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Marine Lance Cpl. Derek Hernandez, 20, of Edinburg, Texas; assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Marine Cpl. Donald M. Marler, 22, of St. Louis, Missouri; assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Army 2nd Lt. Michael E. McGahan, 23, of Orlando, Florida; assigned to the
1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade
Combat Team 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell,
Kentucky.

Army Spc. Jonathan K. Peney, 22, of Marietta, Georgia; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.

Marine Pfc. Jake W. Suter, 18, of Los Angeles, California; assigned to 3rd
Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine
Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Army 1st Lt. Joseph J. Theinert, 24, of Sag Harbor, New York; assigned to
1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York.

May 28, 2010 – June 3, 2010
Killed: 7; Wounded in action: 103

October 10, 2001 – June 3, 2010
Killed: 1,076; Wounded in action: 6,141

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of June 1, 2010)
http://www.defense.gov/news/d20100601ngr1.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 else'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.