[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the November 21, 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 November 4, 2011 through November
10, 2011:

November 4, 2011 – November 10, 2011
Killed: 0; Wounded in action: 1

March 19, 2003 – November 10, 2011
Killed: 4,474; wounded in action: 32,225

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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 November 4, 2011 through November 10, 2011:

Army Sgt. 1st Class Johnathan B. McCain, 38, of Apache Junction, Arizona;
assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade
Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Army Pfc. Cody R. Norris, 20, of Houston, Texas; assigned to the 2nd
Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Army Spc. Calvin M. Pereda, 21, of Fayetteville, North Carolina; assigned
to the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat
Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Army Pfc. Theodore B. Rushing, 25, of Longwood, Florida; assigned to the
3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment; 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division (Light), Fort Drum, New York.

November 4, 2011 – November 10, 2011
Killed: 4; Wounded in action: 60

October 10, 2001 – November 10, 2011
Killed: 1,820; Wounded in action: 14,793

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of November 8, 2011)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20111108ngr.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.