The Cost of War
Friday September 7, 2007
During the month when Americans recall the horrors of September 11, 2001, it's important that we pause and reflect on the ultimate cost of war -- not in terms of dollars, but something much more valuable -- the lives of our brave service men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the "War on Terrorism."
As of September 1, 4,168 brave Americans have died in Iraq and Afghanistan since the launch of Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) on October 7, 2001 and Operation Iraqi Freedom, which began with the invasion of Iraq on March 19, 2003. Of the total deaths, 3,307 were due to hostile fire, and the remainder due to non-hostile actions (such as accident, suicide, or illness).
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While we mourne our brethern, who have given that “…last full measure of devotion…” (A. Lincoln), let us also remember those loved ones, left behind, who shall also mourne, for a lifetime, their personal loss.