Remembering the Fallen...

"Let us honor the lost, the snatched, the
relinquished,
those vanquished by glory, muted by shame.
Stand up in the silence they've left and listen:
those absent ones, unknown and unnamed--
remember!"
--Rita Dove

ICasualties reports that: Insurgents stormed remote Afghan outposts near the Pakistani border, killing eight U.S. troops and cutting off scores of Afghan police. Officials called this the deadliest battle in more than a year.

I wonder why more papers or TV stations don’t show the faces and names of these that have given their lives for us. Along with me, ponder their names, lift up their families and pray for us all. Let us remember the fallen…

Pfc. Brandon A. Owens / Hometown: Memphis, Tn / Age 21 / Died October 2 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, on injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked their unit using small arms fire.

Sgt. Aaron M. Smith / Hometown: Manhattan, Kan./ Age 25 / Died October 2 in Wardak province, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained when enemy forces attacked their unit using small fire arms.

Sgt. Roberto D. Sanchez / Hometown: Satellite Beach, Fla./ Age 24 / Died in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device.

Sgt. Ryan C. Adams / Hometown: Rhinelander, Wisc./ Age 26 / Died October 2 in Logar province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle using rocket propelled grenade fire.

Spc. Russell S. Hercules, Jr. / Hometown: Murfreesboro, Tn. / Age 22 / Died October 1 in Wardak province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire.

Staff Sgt. Jack M. Martin III / Hometown: Bethany, Oklahoma / Age 26 / Died September 29 in Jolo Island, the Philippines, from the detonation of an improvised-explosive device.

Sgt. 1st Class Christopher D. Shaw / Hometown: Markham, Ill. / Age 37 / Died Sept. 29 in Jolo Island, the Philippines, from the detonation of an improvised-explosive device.

Staff Sgt. Alex French IV / Hometown: Milledgeville, Ga / Age 31/ Died September 30 in Kwhost, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using an improvised-explosive device.