[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the January 30, 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 January 13, 2012 through January 19, 2012:

Marine Capt. Daniel B. Bartle, 27, of Ferndale, Washington;  assigned toMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Marine Cpl. Jon-Luke Bateman, 22, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Army Spc. Keith D. Benson, 27, of Brockton, Massachusetts; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany. 

Marine Lance Cpl. Kenneth E. Cochran, 20, of Wilder, Idaho; assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Marine Cpl. Joseph D. Logan, 22, of Willis, Texas;  assigned toMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Marine Cpl. Phillip D. McGeath, 25, Glendale, Arizona; assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Marine Capt. Nathan R. McHone, 29, of Crystal Lake, Illinois;  assigned toMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Marine Cpl. Kevin J. Reinhard, 25, of Colonia, New Jersey;  assigned toMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Marine MSgt. Travis W. Riddick, 40, of Centerville, Iowa;  assigned toMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Marine Cpl. Jesse W. Stites, 23, of North Beach, Maryland; assigned toMarine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 363, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

January 13, 2012 – January 19, 2012
Killed: 10; Wounded in action: 58

October 10, 2001 – January 19, 2012
Killed: 1,869; Wounded in action: 15,262

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

http://www.defense.gov/news/d201210117ngr.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)
Post Falls, Idaho

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

-- Adlai E. Stevenson