[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the March 14, 2011 edition of the Army Times –

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No U.S. service members died while supporting Operation New Dawn in Iraq,
confirmed by the Defense Department from February 25, 2011 through March
3, 2011:

February 25, 2011 – March 3, 2011
Killed: 0; Wounded in action: 3

March 19, 2003 – March 3, 2011
Killed: 4,429; wounded in action: 32,049

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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 25, 2011 through March 3, 2011:

Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas J. Alden, 25, of Williamston, South
Carolina; assigned to the 48th Security Forces Squadron, RAF Lakenheath,
United Kingdom.

Army Spc. Rudolph R. Hizon 22, of Los Angeles, California; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Army Staff Sgt. Chauncy R. Mays, 25, of Cookville, Texas; assigned to the
63rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 20th Support Command, Aberdeen
Proving Ground, Maryland.

Marine Cpl. Jordan R. Stanton, 20, of Rancho Santa Margarita, California;
assigned to the 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, II
Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Christopher G. Stark, 22, of Monett, Missouri; assigned to the
63rd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 20th Support Command, Aberdeen
Proving Ground, Maryland.

Army Spc. Jason M. Weaver, 22, of Anaheim, California; assigned to the
504th Military Police Battalion, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Joint Base
Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Army Staff Sgt. Mark C. Wells, 31, of San Jose, California;  assigned to
the 45th Sustainment Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, Schofield
Barracks, Hawaii.

February 25, 2011 – March 3, 2011
Killed: 7; Wounded in action: 61

October 10, 2001 – March 3, 2011
Killed: 1,480; Wounded in action: 10,459

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of March 1, 2011)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20110301ngr.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.