[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the March 22, 2010 edition of the Army Times -

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Iraq, confirmed by the Defense Department from March 5, 2010 through
March 11, 2010:

Army Sgt. Aaron M. Arthur, 25, of Lake City, South Carolina; assigned to
the 203rd Brigade Support Battalion, attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th
Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division,
Fort Benning, Georgia.

Army Spc. Lakeshia M. Bailey, 23, of Columbus, Georgia; assigned to the
203rd Brigade Support Battalion, attached to the 1st Battalion, 10th Field
Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort
Benning, Georgia.

March 5, 2010 – March 11, 2010
Killed: 2; Wounded in action: 10

March 19, 2003 – March 11, 2010
Killed: 4,372; wounded in action: 31,716

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The following U.S. service members died while supporting combat operations
in Afghanistan, confirmed by the Defense Department from March 5, 2010
through March 11, 2010:

Marine Lance Cpl. Garrett W. Gamble, 20, of Sugarland, Texas; assigned to
2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Pfc. Jason M. Kropat, 25, of White Lake, New York; assigned to the
1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Marine Cpl. Jonathan D. Porto, 26, of Largo, Florida; assigned to 1st
Battalion 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine
Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Army Sgt. Jonathan J. Richardson, 24, of Bald Knob, Arkansas; assigned to
the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st
Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Army Pvt. Nicholas S. Cook, 19, of Hungry Horse, Montana; assigned to the
2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat
Team, Camp Ederle, Italy.

March 5, 2010 – March 11, 2010
Killed: 5; Wounded in action: 59

October 10, 2001 – March 11, 2010
Killed: 1,009; Wounded in action: 5,190

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of March 9, 2010)
http://www.defense.gov/news/d20100309ngr1.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, Jr.