[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

>From the May 11, 2009 edition of the Army Times -

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The following U.S. service member died while supporting combat operations
in Iraq, confirmed by the Defense Department from April 24, 2009 through
April 30, 2009:

Army Sgt. Christopher D. Loza, 24, of Abilene, Texas; assigned to the 1st
Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, 56th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 36th
Infantry Division, Waco, Texas.

Army Spc. Jeremiah P. McCleery, 24, of Portola, California; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st
Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Marine Sgt. James R. McIlvaine, 26, of Olney, Maryland; assigned to 1st
Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, California.

Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler J. Trahan, 22, of East Freetown,
Massachusetts; assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit Twelve in
Norfolk, Va., and was deployed with an East Coast based Navy SEAL team.

Army Spc. Jake R. Velloza, 22, of Inverness, California; assigned to the
1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Marine Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechowski, 25, of Cincinnati, Ohio; assigned
to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

April 24, 2009 – April 30, 2009
Killed: 6; wounded in action: 15

March 19, 2003 – April 30, 2009
Killed: 4,274; wounded in action: 31,230

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from April 24, 2009
through April 30, 2009:

Army Spec. Ryan C. King, 22, of Dallas, Georgia; assigned to the Special
Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort
Hood, Texas.

Army Sgt. James D. Pirtle, 21, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; assigned to
the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry
Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

April 24, 2009 – April 30, 2009
Killed: 2; Wounded in action: 15

Oct. 10, 2001 – April 30, 2009
Killed: 675 Wounded in action: 2,807

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National Guard (In Federal Status) and Reserve Mobilized
(as of April 28, 2009)
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2009/d20090428ngr.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'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
Moscow, Idaho

"Patriotism is not a short and frenzied outburst of emotion but the
tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime."

-- Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.