[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the March 5, 2012 edition of the Army Times.

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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 February 17, 2012 through February 23, 2012:

Army Sgt. Joshua A. Born, 25, of Niceville, Florida; assigned to the 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Army Cpl. Timothy J. Conrad Jr., 22, of Roanoke, Virginia; assigned to the 385th Military Police Battalion, 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Air Force Lt. Col. John D. Loftis, 44, of Paducah, Kentucky; assigned to the 866th Air Expeditionary Squadron, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Army Sgt. Allen R. McKenna Jr., 28, of Noble, Oklahoma; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

February 17, 2012 – February 23, 2012
Killed: 4; Wounded in action: 27

October 10, 2001 – February 23, 2012
Killed: 1,888; Wounded in action: 15,367

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of February 21, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120221ngr.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)
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

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

-- Adlai E. Stevenson