[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the July 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 July 13, 2012 through July 19, 2012:

Marine Cpl. Joshua R. Ashley, 23, of Rancho Cucamonga, California; assigned to 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael J. Brodsky, 33, of Tamarac, Florida; assigned to Navy Region Southwest Security Detachment, San Diego, California.

Army Spc. Krystal M. Fitts, 26, of Houston, Texas; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Navy Aircrewman (Helicopter) Second Class Joseph P. Fitzmorris, 31, of West Monroe, Louisiana; assigned to Navy Cyber Command, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.

Army Spc. Darrion T. Hicks, 21, of Raleigh, North Carolina; assigned to the 54th Engineer Battalion, 18th Engineer Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Bamberg, Germany. 

Army Sgt. Erik N. May, 26, of Independence, Kansas; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

Army Staff Sgt. Brandon R. Pepper, 31, of York, Pennsylvania; assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Sergio E. Perez Jr., 21, of Crown Point, Indiana; assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Army Sgt. Jose J. Reyes, 24, San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico; assigned to the 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Army Pfc. Jeffrey L. Rice, 24, of Troy, Ohio; assigned to the 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. 

Army Sgt. Daniel A. Rodriguez, 28, of Baltimore, Maryland; assigned to the 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Navy Senior Chief Aviation Warfare Systems Operator Sean P. Sullivan, 40, of St. Louis, Missouri; assigned to Navy Cyber Command, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado.

Army Spc. Nicholas A. Taylor, 20, of Berne, Indiana; assigned to the 81st Troop Command, Indiana National Guard, Indianapolis, Indiana.

July 13, 2012 – July 19, 2012
Killed: 13; Wounded in action: 77

October 10, 2001 – July 19, 2012
Killed: 2,040; Wounded in action: 16,858

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

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120717ngr.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