Total of U.S Troops Killed in Iraq and Afghanistan Wars – 5,324

Puppy Love - by Kevin Frayer / AP

United States Marine Cpl. Benjamin Zellmann, of Virginia, holds a puppy taken in by the company during a briefing before a mission in Khan Neshin, in the volatile Helmand province of southern Afghanistan.

President Obama recently remarked that the number of Americans killed in Afghanistan was a “sobering reminder” of the burdens of war.

As I look at this recent photo of young marines who are stationed in Afghanistan I also find it to be a 'sobering reminder' that as we sit in our comfortable living rooms these young men and thousands more like them are stationed a long way from home. My wish is that they will be returned home soon.

This photo is also a sobering reminder.

Buffalo News

The young soldier in this photo is from the Buffalo, NY area. As you can see he was enjoying the company of the young children in Afghanistan and I am sure that he was, in some ways, a positive role model for them. He recently was in the local news here when he returned home to his parent’s residence where he will be living for a long time. Several months ago he suffered serious head injuries while in Afghanistan, which resulted in months of surgeries, hospitalization and permanent brain damage. He is a shadow of his former self. Another 'sobering reminder' of the men and women who have been placed in harm’s way in a far away war.

I have had this photo on my computer screen for some time now. I do not know his name or who took the photo but I do know that I think of him each time I turn on my computer and I wish him well. Yet another 'Sobering Reminder' of the outcome of war.

These photos happen to be of men but I am also aware of the women who are stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan as well. I am very proud of all of them.

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Here are the most recent statistics of U.S. military deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past decade.

Total of U.S Troops Killed in Iraq and Afghanistan Wars – 5,324

The Human Cost of Occupation

United States Military Casualties in Iraq

Since war began (3/19/03): 4373

Since Obama Inauguration (1/20/09): 145

American Wounded Official Estimated

Total U.S.Wounded: 31,613 Over 100000

Latest Fatality Jan 6 2010

Daily DoD Casualty Release

320,000 Vets Have Brain Injuries

War Veterans’ Concussions Are Often Overlooked

How Many Service members Were Wounded?

18 Vet Suicides Per Day?

Iraqi Casualties – 1,339,771

Other Coalition Troops - Iraq 325

US Military Deaths - Afghanistan 951

Other Military Deaths - Afghanistan 624

Contractor Employee Deaths - Iraq 1,395

Journalists - Iraq 335

Academics Killed - Iraq 431

Sources: DoD, MNF, and iCasualties.org

All data was compiled from http://www.defenselink.mil.

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Take a look at these up to date statistics and if you find them ‘sobering’

Call or write to the President:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500


Phone Numbers: Comments: 202-456-1111


Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

MAKE THAT PHONECALL – please!