[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the October 24, 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 October 7, 2011 through October
13, 2011:

October 7, 2011 – October 13, 2011
Killed: 0; Wounded in action: 9

March 19, 2003 – October 13, 2011
Killed: 4,469; wounded in action: 32,209

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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 October 7, 2011 through October 13, 2011:

Army Staff Sgt. Robert B. Cowdrey, 39, of Atwater, Ohio; assigned to the
3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort
Bragg, North Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Scott D. Harper, 21, of Winston, Georgia; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Jeremiah T. Sancho, 23, of Palm Bay, Florida; assigned to the
3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Navy Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Michael R. Tatham, 33, of University
Place, Washington; assigned to a West Coast based Naval Special Warfare
unit.

Army Staff Sgt. Houston M. Taylor, 25, of Hurst, Texas; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry
Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

Army Chief Warrant Officer James B. Wilke, 38, of Ione, California;
assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th
Air Defense Artillery Brigade, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command,
Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Staff Sgt. Nathan L. Wyrick, 34, of Enumclaw, Washington; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

October 7, 2011 – October 13, 2011
Killed: 7; Wounded in action: 113

October 10, 2001 – October 13, 2011
Killed: 1,792; Wounded in action: 14,455

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of October 11, 2011)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20111011ngr.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.