We Remember the Fallen

Tonight President Obama announced that we will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. The escalation--to be completed by next summer--is designed to reverse significant Taliban advances as of late. The size and speed of the troop increase will put a heavy strain on the military, which still maintains a force of more than 100,000 in Iraq and 68,000 in Afghanistan.

"It was 10 p.m. back in Fort Campbell. Edward's wife answered, and after a couple of long yawns, he figured he was waking her up. He could hear his three-year old daughter babbling in the background.

After the expected small talk, in which Edwards reminded his wife that he needed toothpaste and Handi Wipes sent in his nest care package, his wife said, "Jerry, I'm pregnant."

Edwards was stunned. "Are you sure?"

"I've taken three tests."

And then his daughter got on the phone. "Are you at work, Daddy?"

Edwards, still reeling from his wife's news, sputtered, "Yes, sweetie, I'm at work."

"Can you come home from work?"

"No, not now."

"I'm going to see Santa."

Edwards was suddenly sad he wouldn't be seeing Santa with his daughter.

"I love you, Daddy!" she cried. "I miss you so much!"

Then she handed the phone to her mother. "That's great news," said Edwards. "Really great. I'm going to be a father again. Wow."

He could barely feel his feet touching the ground.

He and Diane talked a few more minutes and looking at his watch, after exactly ten minutes, Edwards said he had to go. He hung up.

He walked back to the hangar in a daze. Man, I'm going to have a baby. It was nearly dawn. The guys inside were watching American Pie and laughing their asses off.

We have to make it out of here alive, he thought."

--from Doug Stanton's , Horse Soldiers

And so--let us remember the fallen...

Sgt. Brandon T. Islip / age 23 / Richmond, Va. / Islip went missing along with another soldier during a mission to recover airdropped supplies from a river in Bala Murghab on November 4, 2009. His body was recovered from the river near Afghanistan's border/ November 29, 2009.

Petty Officer 3rd Class David M. Mudge / age 22 / Sutherlin,Oregon/ Died in a non-hostile accident aboard USS Rentz while in Port Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates / November 28, 2009.

Pfc. Michael A. Rogers /age 23 / White Sulphur Springs, Montana / Died of injuries sustained from non-combat related incident at Forward Operating Base Hammer, east of Baghdad, Iraq / November 27, 2009.

Sgt. Jason A. McLeod / age 22 / Crystal Lake, Ill / Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit west of Pashmul, Afghanistan / November 23, 2009.

Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino / age 34 / Cockeysville, Md/ Killed when a roadside bomb detonated near his all-terrain vehicle in the vacinity of Pashay Kala, Afghanistan / November 23, 2009.

Lance Cpl. Nicholas J./ Hand / age 20 / Died while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan / November 22, 2009.

Sgt. Briand T. Williams / age 25 / Sparks, Ga/ Died of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit usingt small arms fire in Nuymaniya, Iraq / November 22, 2009.

Sgt. James M. Nolen / age 25/ Alvin, TX / One of two soldiers killed when enemy forces attacked their vehicle with a roadside bomb in Zabul province, Afghanistan / November 22, 2009.

Pfc. Marcus A. Tynes / age 19 / Moreno Valley, Cal / Tynes was the other soldier killed when enemy forces attacked their vehicle in Zabul province, Afghanistan / November 22, 2009.

Staff Sgt. John J. Cleaver / age 36 / Marysville, Wa / One of two soldiers killed when a suicide car-bomber attacked their unit outside Zabul province, Afghanistan/ November 19, 2009.

Sgt. Daniel Frazier / age 25 / Saint Joseph, MO / One of two soldiers killed when a suicide car-bomber attacked their unit in Zabul province, Afghanistan/ November 19, 2009.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Brian M. Patton / age 37 / Freeport, Ill / Died of injuries suffered in a motor vehicle collusion near Camp Virginia in Kuwait / November 19, 2009.

Sgt. Joseph M. Lewis / age 26 / Terrell, TX / Died of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his vehicle with a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan / November 17, 2009.

Staff Sgt. Ryan L. Zorn / age 35 / Upton,Wy / Died of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over in Tal Afar, Iraq / November 16, 2009.