[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the January 16, 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 December 30, 2011 through January 5, 2012:

Air Force Senior Airman Bryan R. Bell, 23, of Erie, Pennsylvania; assigned to the 2nd Civil Engineer Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

Army Spc. Brian J. Leonhardt, 21, of Merrillville, Indiana; assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Army Staff Sgt. Jonathan M. Metzger, 32, of Indianapolis, Indiana; assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Army Pfc. Dustin P. Napier, 20, of London, Kentucky; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Army Spc. Christopher A. Patterson, 20, of Aurora, Illinois; assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad R. Regelin, 24, of Cottonwood, California; assigned as an explosive ordnance disposal technician to Marine Special Operations Company Bravo, and stationed at Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3, San Diego, California.

Air Force Tech. Sgt. Matthew S. Schwartz, 34, of Traverse City, Michigan; assigned to the 90th Civil Engineer Squadron, FE Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.

Air Force Airman 1st Class Matthew R. Seidler, 24, of Westminster, Maryland; assigned to the 21st Civil Engineer Squadron, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

Army Spc. Robert J. Tauteris Jr., 44, of Hamlet, Indiana; assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Indiana.

December 30, 2011 – January 5, 2012
Killed: 9; Wounded in action: 26

October 10, 2001 – January 5, 2012
Killed: 1,856; Wounded in action: 15,178

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of January 3, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d201210103ngr.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)
Spokane, Washington

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

-- Adlai E. Stevenson