[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

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

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

Air Force Senior Airman Michael J. Hinkle II, 24, of Corona, California;
assigned to the 28th Communications Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base,
South Dakota.

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

March 19, 2003 – March 17, 2011
Killed: 4,430; wounded in action: 32,051

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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 March 11, 2011 through March 17, 2011:

Army Pfc. Rudy A. Acosta, 19, of Canyon Country, California; assigned to
the 4th Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

Army Master Sgt. Jamal H. Bowers, 41, of Raleigh, North Carolina; assigned
to the 6th Battalion, 4th Military Information Support Group, U.S. Army
Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Marine Staff Sgt. James M. Malachowski, 25, of Westminster, Maryland;
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division,
II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Staff Sgt. Mecolus C. McDaniel, 33, of Fort Hood, Texas; assigned to
the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Marine Lance Cpl. Christopher S. Meis, 20, of Bennett, Colorado; assigned
to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Cpl. Donald R. Mickler Jr., 29, of Bucyrus, Ohio; assigned to the 4th
Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

Army Staff Sgt. Travis M. Tompkins, 31, of Lawton, Oklahoma; assigned to
the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana.

March 11, 2011 – March 17, 2011
Killed: 7; Wounded in action: 79

October 10, 2001 – March 17, 2011
Killed: 1,495; Wounded in action: 10,613

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

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20110315ngr.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.