[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the September 10, 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 August 24, 2012 through August 30, 2012:

Army Spc. Mabry J. Anders, 21, of Baker City, Oregon; assigned to the 4th
Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division,
Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Sgt. Christopher J. Birdwell, 25, of Windsor, Colorado; assigned to
the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Army Staff Sgt. Jessica M. Wing, 42, of Alexandria, Virginia; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment, Bangor, Maine.

Army Spc. Kyle R. Rookey, 23, of Oswego, New York; assigned to the 4th
Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry
Division, Fort Carson, Colorado

August 24, 2012 – August 30, 2012
Killed: 4; Wounded in action: 94

October 10, 2001 – August 30, 2012
Killed: 2,095; Wounded in action: 17,382

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

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120829ngr.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