[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the April 30, 2012 edition of the Army Times.

-------------------------------

The following U.S. service members died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom combat operations in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from April 13, 2012 through April 19, 2012:

Army Capt. Michael C. Braden, 31, of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania; assigned to the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Marine Staff Sgt. Joseph H. Fankhauser, 30, of Mason, Texas; assigned to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Marine Cpl. Aaron M. Faust, 22, Louisville, Kentucky; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas S. Johnson, 27, of San Diego, California; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

Army Sgt. Dean R. Shaffer, 23, of Pekin, Illinois; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

Army Chief Warrant Officer Don C. Viray, 25, of Waipahu, Hawaii; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

Army Sgt. Chris J. Workman, 33, of Boise, Idaho; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

April 13, 2012 – April 19, 2012
Killed: 7; Wounded in action: 78

October 10, 2001 – April 19, 2012
Killed: 1,929; Wounded in action: 15,650

-------------------------------

National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of April 17, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120417ngr.pdf

---------------------------------------------------------

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."

---------------------------------------------------------

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