[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the January 17, 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 December 31, 2010
through January 6, 2011:

Army Spc. Jose A. Delgado-Arroyo, 41, of San Juan, Puerto Rico; assigned
to the 1013th Engineer (Sapper) Company of the Puerto Rico Army National
Guard, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Army Sgt. Jose M. Cintron-Rosado, 38, of Vega Alta, Puerto Rico; assigned
to the 1013th Engineer (Sapper) Company of the Puerto Rico Army National
Guard, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

December 31, 2010 – January 6, 2011
Killed: 2; Wounded in action: 6

March 19, 2003 – January 6, 2011
Killed: 4,422; wounded in action: 32,022

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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 December 31, 2010 through January 6, 2011:

Marine Lance Cpl. Joseph R. Giese, 24, of Winder, Georgia; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Ethan C. Hardin, 25, of Fayetteville, Arkansas; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Army Pfc. Ira B. Laningham IV, 22, of Zapata, Texas; assigned to the 2nd
Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain
Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Army Pfc. Robert J. Near, 21, of Nampa, Idaho; assigned to the 86th Signal
Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Army Sgt. Eric M. Nettleton, 26, of Wichita, Kansas; assigned to the 1st
Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Robert W. Pharris, 48, of Seymour, Missouri; assigned
to the Missouri National Guard Agri-Business Development Team IV,
Jefferson City, Missouri.

Army Spc. Christian J. Romig, 24, of Kenner, Louisiana; assigned to 1st
Squadron, 61st Cavalry, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
(Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

December 31, 2010 – January 6, 2011
Killed:7; Wounded in action: 86

October 10, 2001 – December 30, 2010
Killed: 1,440; Wounded in action: 9,971

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of January 4, 2011)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20110104ngr.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.