As always I'm shocked at how young some of them were

Our 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.

Thanks 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.

Thank you, Bill, for keeping us focused on the real cost of this war.

Jeff B. Starr was actually a very good friend of mine. He will forever be remember as a Hero and a friend.

IN 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

My 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?