[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the June 11, 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 May 25, 2012 through May 31, 2012:

Army Capt. John R. Brainard, 26, of Dover-Foxcroft, Maine; assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Ansbach-Katterbach, Germany.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Sean E. Brazas, of Greensboro, North Carolina;assigned to Naval Base Kitsap Security Detachment in Bremerton, Washington.

Army Spc. Gerardo Campos, 23, of Miami, Florida; assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Marine Sgt. Julian C. Chase, 22, of Edgewater, Maryland; assigned to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.

Army Pfc. Leroy Deronde III, 22, Jersey City, New Jersey; assigned to F Company, 125th Brigade Support Battalion attached to 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Spc. Kedith L. Jacobs, 21, of Denver, Colorado; assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. 

Army Staff Sgt. Roberto Loeza, 28, of El Paso, Texas; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Cpl. Nicholas H. Olivas, 20, of Fairfield, Ohio; assigned to the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Staff Sgt. Alexander G. Povilaitis, 47, of Dawsonville, Georgia; assigned to 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. 

Army Chief Warrant Officer Five John C. Pratt, 51, of Springfield, Virginia; assigned to the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, Ansbach-Katterbach, Germany.

Marine Lance Cpl. Steven G. Sutton, 24, of Leesburg, Georgia; assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. 

Army Spc. Tofiga J. Tautolo, 23, of Wilmington, California; assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Marine Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Witsman, 23, of Covington, Indiana; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

May 25, 2012 – May 31, 2012
Killed: 13; Wounded in action: 81

October 10, 2001 – May 31, 2012
Killed: 1,985; Wounded in action: 16,105

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of May 29, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120529ngr.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