This year, the US suffered almost twice as many war fatalities as in 2008, more than double 2007; and when you compare previous years, the numbers are even more staggering. If you look at the lower chart, you will see that many of the fatalities came, ironically, after General McChrystal asked for an increase in troop force. If this does not make you angry, the number of wounded in 2009 jumped to almost 1300 soldiers from less than 600 in 2008. Again, most of the wounded came in the latter part of 2009, which has not ended.
What does this say about our commander in chief? What does this say about the way he feels about our young men and women who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to give up their homes, their families and their freedom; to give up their way of life to serve their country so each of us can continue to enjoy the lifestyles we have come to know and expect?
This is a President who has spoken about how we take our minority youth for granted by giving them military service as the only option to make it in the world. This is a man who associates with people who have blamed our country for sending minority children to war while "rich white children" can go to college and live the good life. This is the man who would send the young latino man to his death, when all the young man wanted was to join the Marines as a way to earn an education while providing for his family back home. A young man who would have had a chance if the President had not taken this decision so lightly. Mr. President, as a conservative, let me tell you; an American soldier is a American and they all bleed red. You may care about skin color, but a true American does not care. We just want all of our soldiers kept safe!
We have young men and women from all parts of the nation - black, brown, yellow and white; who join the armed forces for many reasons; but primarily for love of country. These young people deserve much more than this kind of treatment. These young people deserve our respect and admiration. They deserve our support and prayers. But most of all, they deserve the leadership of a commander who cares about the country, at least as much as the soldiers themselves. I do not believe they have that in the current commander in chief.
We have lost many young men and women this year to war, both by enemy fire and by suicide. While we are all preparing for this festive time of year and planning our events with family and friends, I ask that each of us take a moment each day to ask our Lord to bless the soldiers and their families and lift them up in these difficult and often, lonely times.
If you are able, perhaps you can open your home to a soldier and/or his family for Christmas dinner or adopt a soldiers family so their children can have a gift to open. During these economic times, many of us do not have much extra, but how much would it take to set an extra place at the table? I am fortunate to have a Marine and his wife staying with me - he is also a very good friend from before he enlisted. He is home now on inactive reserve, but can be called back anytime. This will be his first Christmas home and I will be honored and blessed to host him and his family.
Together, we will pray for those that are still away from their homes and the people they love; and especially for those who have come back injured or gone home to their final rest. This will be a Christmas season unlike others. It will be much simpler, much more subdued and much more focused on the reason for the holiday - to celebrate the birth of our savior and to praise him for bringing us together and keeping us free and safe. I ask that all Christians join me in this daily prayer vigil. May God Bless our soldiers, their families and may God Bless America; and each of you; and everyone you meet each day.
| Year | US | UK | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 2002 | 49 | 3 | 17 | 69 |
| 2003 | 48 | 0 | 9 | 57 |
| 2004 | 52 | 1 | 7 | 60 |
| 2005 | 99 | 1 | 31 | 131 |
| 2006 | 98 | 39 | 54 | 191 |
| 2007 | 117 | 42 | 73 | 232 |
| 2008 | 155 | 51 | 89 | 295 |
| 2009 | 302 | 99 | 87 | 488 |
| Total | 932 | 236 | 367 | 1535 |
| Year | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 12 |
| 2002 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 49 |
| 2003 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 48 |
| 2004 | 9 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 52 |
| 2005 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 18 | 4 | 27 | 2 | 15 | 11 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 99 |
| 2006 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 98 |
| 2007 | 0 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 117 |
| 2008 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 17 | 28 | 20 | 22 | 27 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 155 |
| 2009 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 6 | 12 | 25 | 45 | 51 | 40 | 59 | 18 | 3 | 302 |
