[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the May 7, 2012 edition of the Army Times.

-------------------------------

The following U.S. service members died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom combat operations in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from April 20, 2012 through April 26, 2012:

Army Staff Sgt. Andrew T. Brittonmihalo, 25, of Simi Valley, California; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Army Spc. Jason K. Edens, 22, of Franklin, Tennessee; assigned to the 1st Squadron, 13th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. 

Army Staff Sgt. Brandon F. Eggleston, 29, of Candler, North Carolina; assigned to 4th Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Moises J. Gonzalez, 29, Huntington, California; assigned to the 509th Combat Service Support Company, 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas.

Army Sgt. Dick A. Lee Jr., 31, of Orange Park, Florida; assigned to 95th Military Police Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Sembach, Germany.

Army Pfc. Michael J. Metcalf, 22, Boynton Beach, Florida; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Navy Lt. Christopher E. Mosko, 28, of Pittsford, New York; assigned as a Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Platoon Commander to Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force, Afghanistan.  Mosko was stationed at EOD Mobile Unit 3, San Diego, California.

Army Spc. Benjamin H. Neal, 21, of Orfordville, Wisconsin; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Marine Master Sgt. Scott E. Pruitt, 38, of Gautier, Mississippi; assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

Army Pfc. Christian R. Sannicolas, 20, Anaheim, California; assigned to 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Manuel J. Vasquez, 22, of West Sacramento, California; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 172nd Infantry Brigade, Grafenwoehr, Germany.

Army 1st Lt. Jonathan P. Walsh, 28, Cobb, Georgia; assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

April 20, 2012 – April 26, 2012
Killed: 12; Wounded in action: 41

October 10, 2001 – April 26, 2012
Killed: 1,941; Wounded in action: 15,691

-------------------------------

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

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120424ngr.pdf

---------------------------------------------------------

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."

---------------------------------------------------------

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