[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the March 26, 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 March 9, 2012 through March 15, 2012:

Army Staff Sgt. Jesse J. Grindey, 30, of Hazel Green, Wisconsin; assigned to 287th Military Police Company, 97th Military Police Battalion, 89th Military Police Brigade, Fort Riley, Kansas. 

Army 2nd Lt. Clovis T. Ray, 34, of San Antonio, Texas; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. 

Army Spc. Daquane D. Rivers, 21, of Marianna, Florida; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany.

March 9, 2012 – March 15, 2012
Killed: 3; Wounded in action: 22

October 10, 2001 – March 15, 2012
Killed: 1,895; Wounded in action: 15,447

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of March 13, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120313ngr.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