[Vision2020] The Human Toll

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of the May 21, 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 4, 2012 through May 10, 2012:

Army Spc. Junot M. L. Cochilus, 34, of Charlotte, North Carolina; assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Army Pfc. Dustin D. Gross, 19, of Jeffersonville, Kentucky; assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army Spc. Alex Hernandez III, 21, of Round Rock, Texas; assigned to 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

Army Spc. Chase S. Marta, 24, of Chico, California; assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army 2nd Lt. David E. Rylander, 23, of Stow, Ohio; assigned to the 7th Engineer Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York.

Army Sgt. Jacob M. Schwallie, 22, of Clarksville, Tennessee; assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Army 1st Lt. Alejo R. Thompson, 30, of Yuma, Arizona; assigned to the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado.

Navy Petty Officer Second Class Jorge Luis Velasquez, 35, of Houston, Texas; assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 56 in Bahrain.

Marine Sgt. Wade D. Wilson, 22, of Normangee, Texas; assigned to 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.

May 4, 2012 – May 10, 2012
Killed: 9; Wounded in action: 72

October 10, 2001 – May 10, 2012
Killed: 1,956; Wounded in action: 15,836

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National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated
(as of May 8, 2012)

http://www.defense.gov/news/d20120508ngr.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