I realize that this title is misleading...as of today, the number of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom casualties as confirmed by U.S. Central Command has reached, 2519!
Here's the image of one of the latest and a bit of his story....
Army Cpl. Andrew J. Kemple, 23, of Cambridge, Minn.; assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.; killed Feb. 12 when his Humvee came under small-arms fire during combat operations in Tikrit, Iraq.
"Minnesota Soldier Killed in Iraq Believe in His Mission"
FOREST LAKE, Minn. — Cpl. Andrew Kemple, the Minnesota soldier killed last weekend in Iraq, believed in his mission there, his family said Thursday.
Kemple, 23, of Cambridge, died Sunday when his Humvee was attacked in the city of Tikrit. His mother, Deirdre Ostlund, said Kemple was a gunner on the vehicle and was shot in the neck.
“He believed he was bringing help and freedom and protection to other people, and so he did not die in vain,” Ostlund said at a family home here with Kemple’s sister, Andrea Kemple, at her side. “His death meant something, and he is a hero.” Kemple, who was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Ky., is the 35th person with strong Minnesota ties to have died in connection with the war in Iraq.
Stevie, you're welcome. You know that in WW II over 12% of Americans were directly effected by the war in that they had a family member that served. Way less than 1% of Americans are directly effected by this non-War in Iraq/Afghanistan (Remember Congress NEVER declared war on anybody). But, of course, we all are effected, and we need to all become more aware of this. I want our hearts to engage and drive us to actions that support the things that must be supported, question the things that don't make any sense, and oppose the things that are just wrong. We owe it to these Heroes, and we owe it to ourselves. I hope sharing this images and stories will give us all the courage to do just that. Caio, Bello!
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