[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the February 28, 2011 edition of the Army Times –

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting Operation New
Dawn in Iraq, confirmed by the Defense Department from February 11, 2011
through February 17, 2011:

Army Sgt. Lashawn D. Evans, 24, of Columbia, South Carolina; assigned to
the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, Combat
Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Christoffer P. Johnson, 20, of Clarksville,
Tennessee; assigned to the 423rd Security Forces Squadron, Royal Air Force
Alconbury, England.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Corey C. Owens, 26, of San Antonio, Texas;
assigned to the 47th Security Forces Squadron, Laughlin Air Force Base,
Texas.

February 11, 2011 – February 17, 2011
Killed: 3; Wounded in action: 1

March 19, 2003 – February 17, 2011
Killed: 4,429; wounded in action: 32,039

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting Operation
Enduring Freedom combat operations in Afghanistan, confirmed by the
Defense Department from February 11, 2011 through February 17, 2011:

Marine Lance Cpl. Andrew P. Carpenter, 27, of Columbia, Tennessee;
assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division,
II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Sgt. Matthew J. Deyoung, 26, of Talent, Oregon; assigned to the 2nd
Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary
Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Staff Sgt. Bradley C. Hart, 25, of Perrysburg, Ohio; assigned to the
U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Jonathan A. Pilgeram, 22, of Great Falls, Montana; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

February 11, 2011 – February 17, 2011
Killed: 4; Wounded in action: 34

October 10, 2001 – February 17, 2011
Killed: 1,465; Wounded in action: 10,342

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of February 15, 2011)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20110215ngr.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.