It doesn't
take a hero to order men into battle.
It takes a hero to be one
of those men who goes into battle.
General Norman Schwarskopf (Ret.)
Commander
of Desert Storm Operations
For the last seven years, the blood of American soldiers has soaked
foreign soil in the name of freedom. Every day the men and women of the US military show courage, discipline, unwavering dedication
and the willingness to sacrifice. Now the offensive has moved to Afghanistan. Freedom isn’t free and here are the grim
statistics to prove it as of late February 2010 (*): 4382 young Americans have died in Iraq and 995 Americans have
died in Afghanistan since the start of the war. This death toll represents a profound loss of youth and human potential.
At least 31,693 US troops have been wounded in action in Iraq. The American injury count in Afghanistan stands
at 5064. (**) Many of the wounded soldiers are permanently maimed. I cannot express in writing the magnitude of loss and the
personal pain of war.
(*) Source: CNN count (February 24, 2010)
(**) Pentagon estimate (February 24, 2010) Click here to view the Roster of Fallen Soldiers.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the brave young men and women in uniform who have
given the last full measure of devotion in service to their country. May the God of your understanding wrap loving arms around you and give you exactly what you
need when you need it. I wish you unexpected comfort and peace.
To those who continue to serve in the US
Armed Forces:
Thank you for your courage, sacrifice and honorable service. Stay safe and return home soon to
the warm embrace of family and friends.
