[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the August 6, 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 20, 2012 through July 26, 2012: 

Army Pfc. Jose Oscar Belmontes, 28, of La Verne, California; assigned to the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Drum, New York.

Army Staff Sgt. Richard L. Berry, 27, of Scottsdale, Arizona; assigned to the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. Julian L. Colvin, 21, of Birmingham, Alabama; assigned to the 508th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Bobby L. Estle, 38, of Lebanon, Ohio; assigned to the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, Fort Drum, New York.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan W. Gifford, 34, of Palm Bay, Florida; assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. Theodore M. Glende, 23, of Rochester, New York; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Army Sgt. John E. Hansen, 41, of Austin, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Marine Sgt. Justin M. Hansen, 26, of Traverse City, Michigan; assigned to 2nd Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Justin L. Horsley, 21, of Palm Bay, Florida; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Italy.

Army 1st Lt. Sean R. Jacobs, 23, of Redding, California; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Army Spc. Benjamin C. Pleitez, 25, of Turlock, California; assigned to 1072nd Transportation Company, 746th Combat Support Battalion, 224th Sustainment Brigade, Van Nuys, California.

Marine Gunnery Sgt. Daniel J. Price, 27, of Holland, Michigan; assigned to 1st Marine Special Operations Battalion, Camp Pendleton, California.

Army Pfc. Adam C. Ross, 19, of Lyman, South Carolina; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Vicenza, Italy.

Army Pfc. Brenden N. Salazar, 20, of Chuluota, Florida; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, Caserma Ederle, Italy.

Army Sgt. Eric E. Williams, 27, of Murrieta, California; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

July 20, 2012 – July 26, 2012
Killed: 15; Wounded in action: 86

October 10, 2001 – July 26, 2012
Killed: 2,055; Wounded in action: 16,944

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of July 24, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120724ngr.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