[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the July 2, 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 June 15, 2012 through June 21, 2012:

Marine Lance Cpl. Niall W. Cotisears, 23, of Arlington, Virginia; assigned to 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.

Marine Lance Cpl. Hunter D. Hogan, 21, of Norman, Indiana; assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. Jarrod A. Lallier, 20, of Spokane, Washington; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Spc. John D. Meador II, 36, Columbia, South Carolina; assigned to the 133rd Military Police Company, 51st Military Police Battalion, Florence, South Carolina.

Marine Lance Cpl. Eugene C. Mills III, 21, of Laurel, Maryland; assigned to 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army 1st Lt. Ryan D. Rawl, 30, Lexington, South Carolina; assigned to the 133rd Military Police Company, 51st Military Police Battalion, Florence, South Carolina.

Army Sgt. Jose Rodriguez, 22, of Gustine, California; assigned to the 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Marine Pfc. Steven P. Stevens II, 23, of Tallahassee, Florida; assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Matthew B. Thomas, 30, Travelers Rest, South Carolina; assigned to the 133rd Military Police Company, 51st Military Police Battalion, Florence, South Carolina.

Army Maj. Paul C. Voelke, 36, of Monroe, New York; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.

June 15, 2012 – June 21, 2012
Killed: 10; Wounded in action: 158

October 10, 2001 – June 21, 2012
Killed: 2,008; Wounded in action: 16,526

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of June 19, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120619ngr.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