[DADoser]

Every Sunday morning - as we get ready for church, I have "This Week w/ George Stephanopolis" on the TV. No matter where I am at getting ready, when In Memorium begins - I pause and look at the names of the US soldiers killed during the past week. I look at the names, ages, and hometowns.

I always take an extra pause when I see a name from the Phoenix metro area. Also whenever I see someone killed around my age (40's) or someone particularly young I give the same "extra" reflection.

Well...yesterday particularly stood out for me. I saw "Tempe, AZ" (where I live now), "Olney, IL" (the small town of 9000 that I grew up and lived my first 21 yrs+ in. My parents are still there. It may be the first casualty from my hometown.) and "Evansville, IN" (A small city that we always went to for "the mall", concerts, etc. - as I was growing up.)

Regardless of where you stand regarding the politics/justification/need to go to Iraq - these are tragic losses to the families and communities involved. Sometimes, in the bigger picture, these "little" losses are not given the reverence deserved.

Just felt like posting in rememberence and perspective, in a nation at war, in which lives are being lost everyday. This is a post to keep the the casualties/losses in lives and loves in proper and constant thoughts/prayers.

Just felt moved to post my thoughts here in a totally "off topic" perspective.

(PLEASE - do not take this post as an "anti-war", "pro-war", or political rant - it is neither. And PLEASE do not take this discussion in either of those directions. That is not the intention either.)

[mustangdriver]

THat was very nice. I have several friends over there right now, and every time I hear the pause on the evening news for the lost in Iraqu, I always pray I don't see their names. Like your post this is not meant for a political standpoint, but for one of reflection for the soldiers.

[Captain Eddie]

My hat is off to all who serve, have served, and especially to all who have given their lives in service to the United States of America.

[planenuts]

My son was in Desert Storm (tanker) so I know what it's like to have a loved one in harms way. My heart is with all those that have loved ones in harms way, and with those that are in harms way.

[STARMAN 352ND]

Having a son in the USMC to follow his grandfather's footsteps as a pilot is a proud feeling.On top of that i have two friends over there now and very proud of them also...I can't wait for their safe return.
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My god bless all their souls and their familes too.
Amen.
JP

[ZS-VAN]

Good post DADoser. All I see is events unfolding in the news. You just don't get the human perspective. This brings that home sharply. I also have a friend there but the circumstances are different although he too is in harms way.

[First Sgt]

Each and every one of them is, as the old Civil War song went, "Somebody's Darling," be it a son, daughter, father, mother, husband, wife...
It is a great concern to have a loved one involved, as proud and dedicated as they may be.
Our son, just yesterday, told us he will soon be flying missions into Baghdad...
Please keep all of our military folks in your prayers.

[Folgore]

Any loss of life is tragic -- especially kids barely out of high school. Whenever I see obituaries for service members, I think of my two-year-old son. Like any father, I hope the world's a safer place for him when he's older. While war may sometimes be necessary, it is always horrible. Bless all in harm's way, and bless the peacemakers.