[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the May 30, 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 May 13, 2011 through May 19,
2011:

May 13, 2011 – May 19, 2011
Killed: 0; Wounded in action: 5

March 19, 2003 – May 19, 2011
Killed: 4,442; wounded in action: 32,090

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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 May 13, 2011 through May 19, 2011:

Army Cpl. Brandon M. Kirton, 25, of Centennial, Colorado; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Army Spc. Bradley L. Melton, 29, Rolla, Missouri; assigned to the Brigade
Troops Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division,
Fort Wainwright, Anchorage, Alaska.

Army Pvt. Cheizray Pressley, 21, of North Charleston, South Carolina;
assigned to the Brigade Troops Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team,
25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Anchorage, Alaska.

Army Sgt. Robert C. Schlote, 26, of Norfolk, Nebraska; assigned to the
195th Forward Support Company, Nebraska Army National Guard, Omaha,
Nebraska.

Army Staff Sgt. David D. Self, 29, of Pearl, Miss.  He was assigned to the
Fires Squadron, 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.

Army Pvt. Lamarol J. Tucker, 26, of Gainesville, Florida; assigned to the
Brigade Troops Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry
Division, Fort Wainwright, Anchorage, Alaska.

May 13, 2011 – May 19, 2011
Killed: 6; Wounded in action: 97

October 10, 2001 – May 19, 2011
Killed: 1,567; Wounded in action: 11,411

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of May 17, 2011)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20110517ngr.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)
Ellensburg, Washington

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the
tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."

 -- Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.