[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the May 28, 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 11, 2012 through May 17, 2012:

Army 2nd Lt. Tobias C. Alexander, 30, of Lawton, Oklahoma; assigned to the 168th Brigade Support Battalion, 214th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Army Sgt. Michael J. Knapp, 28, of Overland Park, Kansas; assigned to the 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Army Sgt. Jabraun S. Knox, 23, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; assigned to the 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

Army Pfc. Richard L. McNulty III, 22, Rolla, Missouri; assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Army Staff Sgt. Israel P. Nuanes, 38, of Las Cruces, New Mexico; assigned to 741st Ordnance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Army Capt. Jesse A. Ozbat, 28, of Prince George, Virginia; assigned to the 168th Brigade Support Battalion, 214th Fires Brigade, Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Army Sgt. Brian L. Walker, 25, of Lucerne Valley, California; assigned to the 425th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

Army Spc. Samuel T. Watts, 20, of Wheaton, Illinois; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

May 11, 2012 – May 17, 2012
Killed: 8; Wounded in action: 92

October 10, 2001 – May 17, 2012
Killed: 1,965; Wounded in action: 15,950

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of May 15, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120515ngr.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