[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the March 8, 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 19, 2010
through February 25, 2010:

Army Capt. Marcus R. Alford, 28, of Knoxville, Tennessee; assigned to the
1st Squadron, 230th Cavalry Regiment, Louisville, Tennessee.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Billie J. Grinder, 25, of Gallatin, Tennessee;
assigned to the 1st Squadron, 230th Cavalry Regiment, Louisville,
Tennessee.

Army Cpl. Daniel T. O’Leary, 23, of Youngsville, North Carolina; assigned
to the 307th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd
Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Sgt. William C. Spencer, 40, of Tacoma, Washington; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 146th Field Artillery Regiment, Olympia, Washington.

February 19, 2010 – February 25, 2010
Killed: 4; Wounded in action: 24

March 19, 2003 – February 25, 2010
Killed: 4,370; wounded in action: 31,693

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from February 19, 2010
through February 25, 2010:

Army Spc. Ian T.D. Gelig, 25, of Stevenson Ranch, California; assigned to
the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd
Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Sgt. Marcos Gorra, 22, of North Bergen, New Jersey; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort
Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Staff Sgt. William S. Ricketts, 27, of Corinth, Mississippi; assigned
to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade
Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. J. R Salvacion, 27, of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; assigned to the 1st
Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

February 19, 2010 – February 25, 2010
Killed: 4; Wounded in action: 60

October 10, 2001 – February 25, 2010
Killed: 997; Wounded in action: 5,064

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of February 23, 2010)
http://www.defense.gov/news/d20100223ngr1.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.