In Memoriam

[lizbud]

Thanks for collecting these & posting updates. I used to read the list
from newspapers every week, but I don't always stop to think & pray
for these brave soldiers I can't help but think of Sen Kerry saying.

How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam -– How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?”

-- John Kerry in his 1971 appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Just substitute Iran Or Afganistan for Vietnam.

[Grace]

You're most welcome, lizbud. I'm glad to know that people are stopping in to read the updates.

[Grace]

July 9, 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Joshua R. Farris, 22, of La Grange, Texas, died July 9 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.

[Edwina's Secretary]

This morning, as every Sunday, I read the obituaries of all those who died in uniform this week.

I have been struck by the ages. More people in their 30's and 40's than I would expect. It is not so apparent from those you have posted, Grace, but has anyone else noticed that.

[Grace]

This morning, as every Sunday, I read the obituaries of all those who died in uniform this week.

I have been struck by the ages. More people in their 30's and 40's than I would expect. It is not so apparent from those you have posted, Grace, but has anyone else noticed that.

Yes, I have noticed that over time. So I went back through this post. I have listed 25 names (just since June 29th ). 9 of them are 30 and over - one was 41. So that's just over 1/3.

I can remember a couple of years ago seeing one who was in his mid-50s.

[Grace]

July 10, 2009

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Cpl. Matthew R. Lembke, 22, of Tualatin, Ore., died July 10 of wounds sustained on June 24 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

[Grace]

Let's not forget the British -


In a 24 hour period of time, in Afghanistan, they lost 8 young men.

Article -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/ju...an-afghanistan



Coming home - - this made me cry.