[Additions and corrections were made on June 3.]
In Iraq, where 1,665 U.S. soldiers have been killed, the fighting continues. Major hostilities ended two years ago with a "Mission Accomplished" from the big man. In this past month, nearly half the number of soldiers who were killed during the "major hostilities" have perished. Why did these soldiers die in Iraq?
Sgt. 1st Class Steven M. Langmack, 33, Seattle, Washington
Cpl. Jeffrey B. Starr, 22, of Snohomish, Washington
Maj. William Downs, 40, Winchester, Virginia
Capt. Jeremy Fresques, 26, Clarkdale, Arizona
Capt. Derek Argel, 28, Lompoc, California
Staff Sgt. Casey Crate, 26, Spanaway, Washington
Staff Sgt. Victor M. Cortes III, 29, Erie, Pensylvania
Lt. Col. Albert E. Smart, 41, San Antonio, Texas
Spc. Phillip N. Sayles, 26, Jacksonville, Arkansas
Sgt. Mark A. Maida, 22, Madison, Wisconsin
First Sgt. Michael S. Barnhill, 39, Folsom, California
Major Ricardo A. Crocker, 39, Mission Viejo, California
CW2 Joshua Michael Scott, 28, Sun Prarie, Wisconsin
CW4 Matthew Scott Lourey, 40, East Bethel, Minnesota
Sgt. Alfred B. Siler, 33, Duff, Tennessee
Sgt. David N. Wimberg, 24, Louisville, Kentucky
Sgt. First Class Randy D. Collins, 36, Long Beach, California
Sgt. Charles A. Drier, 28, Tuscola, Michigan
Spec. Dustin C. Fisher, 22, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Pfc. Jeffrey R. Wallace, 20, Hoopeston, Illinois
Spc. Bryan D. Barron, 26, Biloxi, Mississippi
Sgt. 1st Class Peter J. Hahn, 31, Metairie, Louisiana
Spc. Audrey D. Lunsford, 29, Sardis, Mississippi
Staff Sgt. Saburant Parker, 43, Foxworth, Mississippi
Spc. Daniel R. Varnado, 23, Saucier, Mississippi
Spc. Joshua T. Brazee, 25, Sand Creek, Michigan
Sgt. Christopher S. Perez, 30, Hutchinson, Kansas
Staff Sgt. Russell J. Verdugo, 34, Phoenix, Arizona
Spc. Tyler L. Creamean, 21, Jacksonville, Arkansas
Sgt. Carl J. Morgain, 40, Butler, Pennsylvania
Sgt. Benjamin C. Morton, 24, Wright, Kansas
Sgt. John B. Ogburn III, 45, Fruitland, Oregon
Sgt. Kenneth J. Schall, 22, Peoria, Arizona
1st Lt. Aaron N. Seesan, 25, Massillon, Ohio
Sgt. Charles T. Wilkerson, 30, Kansas City, Missouri
Sgt. Kurt D. Schamberg, 26, Euclid, Ohio
Sgt. Brad A. Wentz, 21, Gladwin, Michigan
Pfc. Wyatt D. Eisenhauer, 26, Pinckneyville, Illinois
Sgt. Robin V. Fell, 22, Shreveport, Louisiana
Spc. Bernard L. Sembly, 25, Bossier City, Louisiana
Sgt. Antwan L. Walker, 22, Tampa, Florida
Pfc. Wesley R. Riggs, 19, Baytown, Texas
Sgt. Jacob M. Simpson, 24, Ashland, Oregon
Sgt. Charles C. Gillican III, 35, Brunswick, Georgia
Pfc. Travis W. Anderson, 28, Hooper, Colorado
Sgt. Andrew R. Jodon, 27, Karthaus, Pennsylvania
Unidentified pending notification of next of kin
Sgt. John M. Smith, 22, Wilmington, North Carolina
Pfc. Kenneth E. Zeigler II, 22, Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Staff Sgt. Samuel T. Castle, 26, Naples, Texas
Lance Cpl. Wesley G. Davids, 20, Dublin, Ohio
Pfc. Christopher R. Dixon, 18, Obetz, Ohio
Lance Cpl. Nicholas B. Erdy, 21, Williamsburg, Ohio
Lance Cpl. Jonathan W. Grant, 23, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Lance Cpl. Jourdan L. Grez, 24, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Staff Sgt. Kendall H. Ivy II, 28, Crawford, Ohio
Lance Cpl. John T. Schmidt III, 21, Brookfield, Connecticut
Pfc. Stephen P. Baldwyn, 19, Saltillo, Mississippi
Staff Sgt. Anthony L. Goodwin, 33, Mount Holly, New Jersey
Lance Cpl. Marcus Mahdee, 20, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Lance Cpl. Taylor B. Prazynski, 20, Fairfield, Ohio
Cpl. Dustin A. Derga, 24, Columbus, Ohio
Sgt. Gary A. Eckert Jr., 24, Toledo, Ohio
Spc. Steven R. Givens, 26, Mobile, Alabama
Staff Sgt. Thor H. Ingraham, 24, Murrysville, Pennsylvania
Unidentified pending notification of next of kin
Pfc. Nicolas E. Messmer, 20, Franklin, Ohio
Lance Cpl. Lawrence R. Philippon, 22, Hartford, Connecticut
Sgt. Aaron N. Cepeda Sr., 22, San Antonio, Texas
Lance Cpl. Lance T. Graham, 26, San Antonio, Texas
Sgt. Michael A. Marzano, 28, Greenville, Pennsylvania
Lance Cpl. Michael V. Postal, 21, Glen Oaks, New York
Petty Officer 3rd Class Jeffery L. Wiener, 32, Louisville, Kentucky
Staff Sgt. William J. Brooks, 30, Birmingham, Alabama
Sgt. Stephen P. Saxton, 24, Temecula, California
Capt. Kelly C. Hinz, 30, Woodbury, Minnesota
Staff Sgt. Tommy S. Little, 47, Aliceville, Alabama
Sgt. John E. McGee, 36, Columbus, Georgia
Maj. John C. Spahr, 42, Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Spc. Derrick J. Lutters, 24, Burlington, Colorado
In Afghanistan, where the poppies grow and Operation Enduring Freedom continues ad infinitum, these soldiers were killed:
Cpl. Richard P. Schoerer, 22, Hayes, Louisiana
Lance Cpl. Nicholas C. Kirven, 21, Richmond, Virginia
Pfc. Steven C. Tucker, 19, Grapevine, Texas
Pfc. Kyle M. Hernauer, 21, Manassas, Virginia
In the off-chance that President Bush reads and knows how to use a computer and comes across this blog, maybe he'll figure out that there are real people attached to the names.
Posted by Bill at May 30, 2005 04:49 AMAs always I'm shocked at how young some of them were
Posted by: Anji at May 30, 2005 06:55 AMOur grandson Brendan is in the Army, and has been in Iraq since last August. He's a wonderful young man, not quite 23 years old, married, with a step son and a new baby girl, born in January. He's due to come home in a couple of months. I pray that he will make it back whole, although I know he's going to be a changed man and this experience in Iraq will forever impact his life. He's been involved in three roadside bombings where his vehicle was bombed, the last resulting in an ambush and a firefight. He escaped without serious injury in all three bombings, but I fear for his emotional and mental health in years to come.
I have been against George Bush's war since day one, and will never forgive him for the lies and spin that have resulted in the loss and destruction of so many lives. His administration plays to the fears of the American people. His arrogance and stubbornness in the face of the whole world community has resulted in our country bearing the brunt of the human and monetary toll for this debacle, with thousands of people on both sides being killed or maimed, and no end in sight. His rush to go it alone with no plan for how to keep the peace was an example of a leader going into battle without knowing or understanding his enemy or their culture, and has resulted in Americans being despised by much of the world.
What a legacy.
Posted by: Diane at May 30, 2005 11:01 AMThanks again, Bill. Makes my heart hurt to see the list grow so long. And unimaginable to think how long the real list is - the total list on all sides.
Posted by: Keri at May 31, 2005 08:12 PMThank you, Bill, for keeping us focused on the real cost of this war.
Posted by: Cowtown Pattie at June 1, 2005 12:23 PMJeff B. Starr was actually a very good friend of mine. He will forever be remember as a Hero and a friend.
Posted by: Patrick at June 4, 2005 05:27 AMIN MEMORIAM - PFC. SAM HUFF
(July 12, 1986 - April 18, 2005)
You sparkled in your uniform so bold
With the gilded baton you did hold--
The high-step to the drummer's beat,
Nor did you from life retreat;
The first bright ray of youth is gone
With one last tearful farewell, so long,
Of all the wishes and dreams, portend,
You were a drum-major to the end;
And fell before the menacing foe
On this field of war and woe,
The drum-major from Mountain View High
Who never returned home again, but to die.
--Michael John Beisch
Tucson, AZ
Posted by: Michael J. Beisch at June 25, 2005 06:37 PMMy son,PFC Steven Tucker joined the army last July 27,2004.Graduated from the boot camp last Nov and then the airborne school last December.He came back home for 3 weeks and then left for Vicenza,Italy last Jan.16.He got deployed to Afghanistan March 30 and his lifeless body came back home May 26.He was fatally wounded May 21 ,he was only 19 years young.Today are 16 bodies being flown from Afghanistan to Dover Delaware then to their families.How many more? When is this going to end?
Posted by: Rowena Tucker at July 3, 2005 10:08 PM