Remembering the Fallen

As we move our decorations out of the attic, address Christmas cards and shop for our loved ones--this is a good time to stop and member all those that have fallen in this sacrifice-less war. Nothing is demanded of us--we simply keep sending off or mostly young boys and girls to fight. The rest of us--except the grieving, fear-ridden families--trudge ahead as if nothing was wrong.

For a great understanding of the so-called Surge I would highly recommend Tom Englehard's article which is found on TomDispatch. At this holy season let us ponder the great mystery--the Christ child came to the poor, the dispossessed and to a chaotic world that knew little peace. In the setting of candlelight and festivity, let us pause to remember the fallen.

Cpl. Xhacob Latorre / age 21 / Waterbury, Conn. / Died of wounds sustained while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan / December 8, 2009.

Staff Sgt. Dennis J. Hansen / age 31 / Panama City, FL / Died at Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit with a roadside bomb in Logar province, Afghanistan on December 3 / Died December 7, 2009.

Sgt. Elijah J. Rao / age 26 / Lake Oswego, OR / Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with a roadside bomb in Nuristan, Afghanistan / December 5, 2009.

Sgt. Kenneth R. Nichols, Jr. / age 28 / Chrisman, IL / Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit using small arms and rocket-propelled granade fires in Kunar province, Afghanistan,/ December 1, 2009.

Lance Cpl. Jonathan A. Taylor / Jacksonville, FL / died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan / December 1, 2009.

Pfc. Derrick D. Gwaltney / age 21 / Cape Coral, Fl / Died of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident south of Basra, Iraq / November 29, 2009.