I didn't get back yesterday to update as my daughter and her boyfriend were in from Portland, OR and time got away from us last night. It is always good to have the kids in for a visit. I also got word that my niece is now out of Iraq and heading for German after serving her second tour as an air traffic controller in Baghdad. That leaves only one cousin in Iraq at this time and one cousin on classified assignment in Greece. Of course I pray for their safety, but these 2932 are also in my prayers along with their families and friends.

http://icasualties.org/oif/BY_DOD.aspx

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2932 Confirmed: 2923 Pending: 9

Date Name Status
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/09/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
11/29/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/07/06 Beeler, Brent E. DoD Confirmation
12/07/06 Linck, Henry W. DoD Confirmation
12/07/06 Gifford, Micah S. DoD Confirmation
12/07/06 Ciraso, Kristofer R. DoD Confirmation
12/06/06 Gibbs, Nicholas R. DoD Confirmation
12/06/06 Libby, Dustin J. DoD Confirmation

Although I know why.
I still do not understand these needless deaths,
And those uncounted, and lost to time..
I pray for all..

No new listings since my earlier post! There have been a couple more confirmations so I will post them now.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2932 Confirmed: 2925 Pending: 7

Date Name Status
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/09/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
11/29/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 Watson, Cody G. DoD Confirmation
12/06/06 Krege, Travis C. DoD Confirmation
12/06/06 Mokri, Yari DoD Confirmation
12/06/06 McClung, Megan M. DoD Confirmation

Here we go again. Five more new listings to report today. The numbers continue to pile up and the names slowly are filled in as they are confirmed, and yet there does not seem to be any outrage because (as has been pointed out time and time again) that these just seem to be statistics. Folks, these are real people that we are talking about here, not just numbers and names. The DOD, the Bush Administration and our oh so "liberal" media would have us just believe that we are dealing with statistics here and not human lives. My heart grows more weary with each prayer I say, with each time I post here and in the "putting faces" thread; but it grows even more weary as I read each story that I come across of lives being destroyed and families being disrupted. Again I ask your prayers for the souls of these latest casualties along with those who have preceded them and their families.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2937 Confirmed: 2925 Pending: 12

Date Name Status
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/09/06 Krissoff, Nathan Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
11/29/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

We cry...
For all that have died
Before, Now, Tomorrow
Peace comes,
Then silence

The restles wind blows across
The souls of all
Who find peace.
We pray.

Thank you, sun. Very nicely said!

I checked in earlier than normal today and thought that I would quickly update this thread. No new listings yet, although I read that there was at least one American killed yesterday, so expect another update later on today or tomorrow. In the meantime a couple of those already listed have been identified and confirmed.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2937 Confirmed: 2927 Pending: 10

Date Name Status
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
11/29/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 Clemons, Thomas W. DoD Confirmation
12/09/06 Krissoff, Nathan M. DoD Confirmation

Could this be the first day without casualties this month? I certainly hope so since we have not had one for some time now. I would like to see a long string of these from now on until at least after the holidays. Call me a dreamer, but at least I can still hope!

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2937 Confirmed: 2934 Pending: 3

Date Name Status
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
11/29/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/11/06 Cote, Budd M. DoD Confirmation
12/11/06 Dillon, Matthew V. DoD Confirmation
12/11/06 Miller, Clinton J. DoD Confirmation
12/11/06 McAnulty, Brian P. DoD Confirmation
12/10/06 Murphy, Shawn M. DoD Confirmation
12/10/06 Ford, Philip C. DoD Confirmation
12/10/06 Gibson, Brennan C. DoD Confirmation
12/06/06 Gibbs, Nicholas R. DoD Confirmation

What can I do?
Listen to the stillness here.
Pray...
For peace.
Know....
What is possible now..
Act....

God, Grant me the serenity
To accept those things I cannot change,
Courage to change those things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

The DOD has just released updated injury figures through December 12. There have now been 12257 Americans injured and returned to duty within three days along with 9972 who required treatment lasting at least three days for a total of 22,229 Americans injured in Iraq. Pair that figure up with the 2937 who have died in Iraq and you have over 25,000 Americans killed or injured in Iraq. A study done and released earlier this week estimated that between 4.5 million and 6.5 million Americans either are related to or know one of those 25,000 Americans. There is no quicker way to build resistance to this war than to keep increasing the number of Americans who have direct contact with the results of that war.

In addition to the above, there have been 6,640 Americans injured as a result of non-hostile action which could be anything from a motor vehicle accident to a friendly fire shooting. 18,183 Americans have also contracted diseases severe enough to require medical transport for treatment. This brings the total to 47,032 Americans who have been injured or contracted diseases in Iraq. This means we are actually approaching 50,000 Americans who have either been killed, wounded or contracted with a disease in Iraq. This total does not include those who have been diagnosed with mental problems such as depression or PTSD as a result of their deployment. I don't think there are any figures being kept on those conditions. The costs are adding up rapidly. Now do you see why this war weighs so heavily on my mind and keeps me talking with my creator through my prayers?

Although the overall number of those killed in Iraq increased by one today, there are actually two new listings. I think that this is because the DOD was carrying an unnamed pending listing from 11/29 which they have now dropped and added the two new listings from 12/12. I don't know what the circumstances surrounding the listing from 11/29 were or why it was finally dropped. Please pray for the two new listings along with their families and friends as well as those who have been injured.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2938 Confirmed: 2936 Pending: 2

Date Name Status
12/10/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/12/06 Davis, Gloria D. DoD Confirmation
12/12/06 Dunkleberger, Brent W. DoD Confirmation

There has been yet one more addition to the list today, and I heard earlier on CNN that there have been a couple more since this list was updated. Remember them in your prayers as you go about your lives this weekend and take a minute to reflect how different your life would be if you were related to one of these so you have an idea what their families are going through.

http://icasualties.org/oif/BY_DOD.aspx

The DOD has added the two that I heard about earlier. We are now at 2491 and rising. I ask that you still remember them in your prayers as you go about your lives this weekend and take a minute to reflect how different your life would be if you were related to one of these so you have an idea what their families are going through.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2941 Confirmed: 2939 Pending: 2

Date Name Status
12/14/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/10/06 Clemons, Thomas W. DoD Confirmation
12/10/06 Murphy, Shawn M. DoD Confirmation

Again, my thanks for keeping this thread active.... Lest they be forgotten.

I can't say my pleasure, but I will say that it is the very least that I can do.

We have five new listings today which breaks my heart and does nothing to cheer my weekend. I really do feel badly for these families who will now have to endure the holidays going on around them as they make funeral plans and hold services then spend the rest of the year and beyond grieving. Remember them in your prayers and offer up your sacrifices in their names.
All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2946 Confirmed: 2940 Pending: 6

Date Name Status
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/14/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/14/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

There have been no new additions to the DOD list today nor have there been any changes in status from pending to confirmed. The tally stands at 2946 dead with 6 pending confirmation at this time.

I will take this opportunity to update the figures for Afghanistan at this time. There have been 356 Americans killed in Afghanistan with 1064 injured. 633 of those required air transport so I would imagine that a large number of those resulted in severe injuries and/or permanent disabilities. There have also been 1,327 Americans injured in Afghanistan as a result of nonhostile actions. There have also been 3605 Americans transported by air after contracting diseases in that country. This gives us a total of 5.994 Americans injured or taken out by disease in Afghanistan. The toll continues to grow, although thankfully there have been no new deaths listed in AFghanistan over the last week or so. Remember them in your prayers, and don't forget to include their families as well.

Before I stumble off to bed for the evening (early day tomorrow with work scheduled at 3:30 am PST), I checked out the DOD casualty listing site and found two more listings added which I will update now. I will add them to my prayers before I retire tonight.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2948 Confirmed: 2941 Pending: 7

Date Name Status
12/16/06 Palmer, Nick Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/14/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/14/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/14/06 Spatol, Theodore A. DoD Confirmation

One more has been added today to the list with no more confirmed. Even with the slower pace with which listings are being posted, this looks to be yet another one of the worst months of the war as far as casualties are concerned. It is also shaping up to be a bad month as far as injuries are concerned with over 300 so far this month counting through last Tuesday. Remember all of them in your prayers, along with their families.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2949 Confirmed: 2941 Pending: 8

Date Name Status
12/18/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/16/06 Palmer, Nick Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/15/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/14/06 Yepsen, Luke Pending
12/14/06 Clark, Matt Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

One more American has been killed in that "other" war in Afghanistan. This brings the total there to 357 with 1062 injured. Here is some information about the latest casualty in Afghanistan. http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Releas...ReleaseID=10303

zat posted this in the General Forum.

It is for our meditation here too...

For all of us to pray
for peace, silence, hope.

please watch if you can...thank you ....from zat...YouTube...Silent Night, and the Iraq War..Beautiful..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejz0Cak6vbA

Thank you. That is very powerful and really makes you think.

We have three new additions to the list tonight. This brings the total for the month 63 so far. I know they are all in your thoughts and that you all feel as deeply as I do about their passing. May the Lord look after them and keep them in His Peace while extending His blessings and love to those that they have left behind.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2952 Confirmed: 2950 Pending: 2

Date Name Status
12/18/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/16/06 Baines, Joe L. DoD Confirmation
12/15/06 Kahalewai, Henry K. DoD Confirmation
12/18/06 Kryst, Kevin M. DoD Confirmation
12/16/06 Palmer, Nick J. DoD Confirmation
12/15/06 Balint Jr., Paul DoD Confirmation
12/16/06 Staats, David R. DoD Confirmation
12/16/06 Stanley, Matthew J. DoD Confirmation
12/19/06 Stanton, Seth M. DoD Confirmation
12/14/06 Yepsen, Luke C. DoD Confirmation
12/14/06 Clark, Matthew W. DoD Confirmation

Two more Americans have given up their lives in Iraq according to the DOD on a day when our president gives his year-end news conference and tells us that we have to increase the military strength in order to prepare to conduct this war over the long term. I, for one, am sick and tired of reading about our citizens dying in a country where their own trained military and police forces can't take the lead after going on four years of our involvement. How can I put myself above the sacrifices of these men and women, along with those made by their families, and continue to celebrate a "peaceful and joyous" holiday season? I will be with friends and family over the Christmas and New Years weekends, but these 2954 (and those who will doubtlessly be added during that period) will weigh heavily on my mind at those gatherings. Again I ask that you remember these in your prayers as you go about your holiday celbrations.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2954 Confirmed: 2950 Pending: 4

Date Name Status
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/18/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

Two more have been added since my last post. Bush called for more sacrifice in his speech today. What have any of us personally sacrificed in the name of this war (other than the constant attacks on our civil liberties and the constantly mounting debt to be paid off after many of us are no longer here)? I don't think George really gets it at all. He certainly has not sacrificed anything as he goes day to day with his personal staff taking care of every detail of his life for him. In addition to praying for our troops, for those who have died/been injured, and their families; I also pray that Bush will finally find real enlightenment, open his eyes, and finally see what his actions have wrought on this country. I ask you to join me in my prayers for our troops but leave it to your discretion where else you direct them.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2956 Confirmed: 2953 Pending: 3

Date Name Status
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 Andrew P. Daul, 21, of Brighton, Mich DoD Confirmation
12/19/06 Pickard, Joshua D. DoD Confirmation
12/18/06 Kryst, Kevin M. DoD Confirmation

There have now been 22,381 Americans injured in Iraq in addtion to the 2956 that have been killed there. The injured include 12351 who were treated and returned to duty within three days. 10050 of them were not able to be returned to duty and a sizeable number of them will be faced with long-term rehabilitation if not permanent partial or full disability ratings. That means 172 Americans were injured in just the last week

Well folks, it looks like three more today. Things are definitely not getting any better as Christmas Day approaches and it looks like 2006 may go down as just a deadly for Americans as any year of this war. May these and all the rest of these dearly departed be afforded the protection of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and their families be held in the peaceful arms of Our Most Blessed Virgin Mother, Amen.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2959 Confirmed: 2953 Pending: 6

Date Name Status
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

My wishes for a lull in the growth of this list are certainly not being honored as we approach the magic of Christmas Day. Five more have been added today to this insane list that just keeps on growing. There will be no joy in these households this weekend as they begin the mourning process during a time that was meant for expressing joy over the birth of our savior. All we can do is ask that these and all the rest are received into the loving arms of that same savior and his protection and peace will be granted to those who have been left behind.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2964 Confirmed: 2953 Pending: 11

Date Name Status
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

Where have all the soldiers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards, everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone, long time passing?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time ago?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Gone to flowers, everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?



All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2964 Confirmed: 2955 Pending: 9
Date Name Status
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Dykman, Scott D. DoD Confirmation
12/20/06 Volker, Robert J. DoD Confirmation

Good to hear from you again, rain. I hope all is well and that you are beginning to settle in to your new surroundings.

The DOD has updated its information on those injured in Iraq. There have now been 22401 Americans injured with 12351 returned to duty within three days and 10050 not being able to go back to their units for at least 72 hours. That makes 480 Americans injured this month in Iraq. The numbers continue to mount with now almost 50,000 Americans either killed, injured, or affected by diseases in Iraq. Remember all of these in your holiday prayers as you attend mass or whatever service you attend.

There have been no new listings today to the DOD site of Americans killed in Iraq for which we are all thankful. A couple of those listings were confirmed so I will post them now.

Where have all the soldiers gone, long time ago?
Where have all the soldiers gone?
Gone to graveyards, everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone, long time passing?
Where have all the graveyards gone, long time ago?
Where have all the graveyards gone?
Gone to flowers, everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?



All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2964 Confirmed: 2957 Pending: 7

Date Name Status
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 Burgess, Ryan J. DoD Confirmation
12/21/06 Mayhan, Ryan L. DoD Confirmation

I guess I jumped the gun earlier in stating that we were going a day without any additions. When I was looking for something else on the DOD site, I noticed that there was one more listing today after all so I will include it here. May the peace and joy of the birth of our savior (for us Christians) accept the souls of these 2965 and his Blessed Mother wrap her loving arms around those who they have left behind.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2965 Confirmed: 2957 Pending: 8

Date Name Status
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

I noticed that there was one new listing last night before I went to bed but didn't post it then. Since that time I also note that the total is back to 2965, now with 6 pending so I will update with the latest that the DOD site has listed. Have a great Christmas Eve everybody and if you attend a Christmas Vigil Mass or Service this evening, remember to include these in your prayers and intentions.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2965 Confirmed: 2957 Pending: 8

Date Name Status
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/06/06 Gibbs, Nicholas R. DoD Confirmation

So i told him that he'd better shut his mouth
And do his job like a man.
And he answered "listen, father,
I will never kill another."
He thinks he's better
Than his brother that died
What the hell does he think he's doing
To his father who brought him up right?

Take your place on the great mandala
As it moves through your brief moment of time.
Win or lose now you must choose now
And if you lose you're only losing your life.




All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2969 Confirmed: 2957 Pending: 12
Date Name Status
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

Elusive Butterfly
Bob Lind

You might wake up some mornin'
To the sound of something moving past your window in the wind
And if you're quick enough to rise
You'll catch a fleeting glimpse of someone's fading shadow
Out on the new horizon
You may see the floating motion of a distant pair of wings
And if the sleep has left your ears
You might hear footsteps running through an open meadow

Don't be concerned, it will not harm you
It's only me pursuing somethin' I'm not sure of
Across my dreams with nets of wonder
I chase the bright elusive butterfly of love

You might have heard my footsteps
Echo softly in the distance through the canyons of your mind
I might have even called your name
As I ran searching after something to believe in
You might have seen me runnin'
Through the long-abandoned ruins of the dreams you left behind
If you remember something there
That glided past you followed close by heavy breathin'

Don't be concerned, it will not harm you
It's only me pursuing somethin' I'm not sure of
Across my dreams with nets of wonder
I chase the bright elusive butterfly of love

Across my dreams with nets of wonder
I chase the bright elusive butterfly of love



All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2972 Confirmed: 2957 Pending: 15
Date Name Status
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

Thank you Rainwater for posting the lyrics to Bob Lind's very apropos song here.

Dr. Morbius noted in another thread that any families who lost a member in Iraq on Christmas Day would from then on approach that holiday in a different spirit altogether. I noted that in 2005 and 2003 there had been two Americans had indeed been killed on that date in each year with none being killed in 2004. This year we added three Americans to the list on Christmas Day along with two on Christmas Eve. These are sad days indeed for the members of these five American's families. Remember these Americans in your prayers as they prepare to enter a new year grieving for their departed relatives.


Elusive Butterfly
Bob Lind

You might wake up some mornin'
To the sound of something moving past your window in the wind
And if you're quick enough to rise
You'll catch a fleeting glimpse of someone's fading shadow
Out on the new horizon
You may see the floating motion of a distant pair of wings
And if the sleep has left your ears
You might hear footsteps running through an open meadow

Don't be concerned, it will not harm you
It's only me pursuing somethin' I'm not sure of
Across my dreams with nets of wonder
I chase the bright elusive butterfly of love

You might have heard my footsteps
Echo softly in the distance through the canyons of your mind
I might have even called your name
As I ran searching after something to believe in
You might have seen me runnin'
Through the long-abandoned ruins of the dreams you left behind
If you remember something there
That glided past you followed close by heavy breathin'

Don't be concerned, it will not harm you
It's only me pursuing somethin' I'm not sure of
Across my dreams with nets of wonder
I chase the bright elusive butterfly of love

Across my dreams with nets of wonder
I chase the bright elusive butterfly of love



All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2975 Confirmed: 2957 Pending: 18

Date Name Status
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/21/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/20/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

The turkey shoot continues.



All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2979 Confirmed: 2960 Pending: 19
Date Name Status
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/22/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

we do what we're told
we do what we're told
we do what we're told
told to do

we do what we're told
we do what we're told
we do what we're told
told to do

one doubt
one voice
one war
one truth
one dream
(Peter Gabriel, 1986)

There have now been more Americans killed by President Bush's ill-advised decision to invade Iraq than were killed on September 11th, the nominal justification for the invasion itself (though we all know better). One could say, with some justification, that Bush is a worse butcher than bin Laden. That, however, would be like comparing apples to oranges, or more accurately, like comparing IED's to RPG's. The two men are different kinds of butchers. Osama is small potatoes; Bush is a big fat cabbage. Osama tries to inflict the death of a thousand cuts; Bush simply kills innocents by the thousands.

Blood doesn't run on the sands. It sinks in, and in a few hours all you see is sand. The land itself is a sponge for blood. There's an important metaphor there. Someone tell me again, please, why America is the greatest country on Earth? Why we claim to be the good guys? When these damned spots will wash from our hands?

Can't fault the military grunts this time; unlike Vietnam, the overwhelming indications are that our men are performing honorably with a few inevitable exceptions. The problem is... they do what they're told.

What they're told to do.

One more added, a few confirmed:

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2980 Confirmed: 2965 Pending: 15

Date Name Status
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/24/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 Wilkus, Eric R. DoD Confirmation
12/24/06 Bixler, Evan A. DoD Confirmation
12/23/06 Barta, John DoD Confirmation
12/23/06 Norris, Curtis L. DoD Confirmation
12/22/06 Sheppard, Joshua D. DoD Confirmation

Yet three more listings are added to this seemingly never-ending list. I will have to check and see if my sister-in-law is related through her husband to Chad Vollmer as that is her married name and I know that her husband has relatives in the Grand Rapids area. Whether he is related or not he will be in my prayers, as are all the rest who are listed here and their relatives and friends.

All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2983 Confirmed: 2974 Pending: 9

Date Name Status
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 Bubeck, John T. DoD Confirmation
12/25/06 Preston, Aaron L. DoD Confirmation
12/25/06 Nelson, Andrew H. DoD Confirmation
12/25/06 Denfrund, Jason C. DoD Confirmation
12/24/06 Morris, Stephen L. DoD Confirmation
12/23/06 Vollmer, Chad J. DoD Confirmation
12/23/06 Algrim, Wilson A. DoD Confirmation
12/23/06 Mejia II, Bobby DoD Confirmation
12/20/06 Sebastien, Myles Cody DoD Confirmation

Fallen Angel
(Robbie Robertson)

Are you out there
Can you hear me
Can you see me in the dark

I don't believe it's all for nothing
It's not just written in the sand
Sometimes I thought you felt too much
And you crossed into the shadowland

And the river was overflowing
And the sky was fiery red
You gotta play the hand that's dealt ya
That's what the old man always said

Fallen Angel
Casts a shadow up against the sun
If my eyes could see
The spirit of the chosen one

In my dream the pipes were playing
In my dream I lost a friend
Come down Gabriel and blow your horn
'Cause some day we will meet again

Fallen Angel
Casts a shadow up against the sun
If my eyes could see
The spirit of the chosen one

All the tears
All the rage
All the blues in the night
If my eyes could see
You kneeling in the silver light

Fallin', fallin', fallin' down
Fallin', fallin' down
Fallin', fallin', fallin' down
Fallin', fallin' down

Fallen Angel
Casts a shadow up against the sun
If my eyes could see
The spirit of the chosen one

All the tears
All the rage
All the blues in the night
If my eyes could see
You kneeling in the silver light

If you're out there can you touch me
Can you see me I don't know
If you're out there can you reach me
Lay a flower in the snow




All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2987 Confirmed: 2976 Pending: 11
Date Name Status
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 Strong, Joseph Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/25/06 Moon, Jae S. DoD Confirmation

Keith Olbermann had a quote that says it all

[b] "BUSH HAS KILLED MORE AMERICANS THAN OSAMA BIN LADEN!"

Rainwater's lyrics here are certainly appropriate, so I will copy them on this post as well. It looks like 2006 is not going out like a lamb as more names are added daily, sometimes more often. I don't know how many Americans have fallen tis year or whether it will be the deadliest year of the war so far. I do know that way too many have died on both sides and that something has to be done soon to turn the tide and slow the carnage.


Fallen Angel
(Robbie Robertson)

Are you out there
Can you hear me
Can you see me in the dark

I don't believe it's all for nothing
It's not just written in the sand
Sometimes I thought you felt too much
And you crossed into the shadowland

And the river was overflowing
And the sky was fiery red
You gotta play the hand that's dealt ya
That's what the old man always said

Fallen Angel
Casts a shadow up against the sun
If my eyes could see
The spirit of the chosen one

In my dream the pipes were playing
In my dream I lost a friend
Come down Gabriel and blow your horn
'Cause some day we will meet again

Fallen Angel
Casts a shadow up against the sun
If my eyes could see
The spirit of the chosen one

All the tears
All the rage
All the blues in the night
If my eyes could see
You kneeling in the silver light

Fallin', fallin', fallin' down
Fallin', fallin' down
Fallin', fallin', fallin' down
Fallin', fallin' down

Fallen Angel
Casts a shadow up against the sun
If my eyes could see
The spirit of the chosen one

All the tears
All the rage
All the blues in the night
If my eyes could see
You kneeling in the silver light

If you're out there can you touch me
Can you see me I don't know
If you're out there can you reach me
Lay a flower in the snow


All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2989 Confirmed: 2976 Pending: 13

Date Name Status
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 Strong, Joseph Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/23/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

duped

More and more........


Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
This land fed a nation this land made me proud
And son i'm just sorry there's no legacy for you now
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow
Rain on the scarecrow blood on the plow



All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2992 Confirmed: 2983 Pending: 9
Date Name Status
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 Koprince Jr., William C. DoD Confirmation
12/27/06 Tinsley, Douglas L. DoD Confirmation
12/26/06 Strong, Joseph A. DoD Confirmation
12/26/06 Schmitz, Joshua M. DoD Confirmation
12/25/06 Clayton, Hayes DoD Confirmation
12/25/06 Denfrund, Jason C. DoD Confirmation

I was sad to see Rainwater's update to my earlier post with 2992 Americans now having died in Iraq. It is not only the casualties that are continuing to mount; but the IC Casualties site also reports that injuries continue to accrue at an alarming rate. There have now been 22,565 injured in Iraq with 12458 returning to duty within three days and 10107 not being able to return to duty within 72 hours. This represents an increase of 164 over last week. Remember to pray for them and their families.

I 'spect the number 3000 will arrive before midnight tonight.


If you are one of the homeless
May my thoughts be with you
If you are scared and alone
You know, our thoughts are with you
We are the people
And we live forever
We are the people
And our future is written in the wind
On the wind

You see yourself as a leader
May my thoughts be with you.
If you try to divide and conquer
We´ll rise up against you
We know, only the strong will survive
But the meek will inherit
So if you got a coat of arms
Oh friend
I suggest, we wear it



All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2996 Confirmed: 2983 Pending: 13
Date Name Status
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 Shaffer, Edward W. Pending
12/27/06 Esckelson, Christopher Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/19/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending

If so, this will be a sad day indeed. I suppose it is better that it happen before January 1 so that we won't have that as an omen for the coming year, although I would rather we never hit that number at all.

Off CNN international they just reported two more deaths, which dont appear to show on the list, yet.
Somehow, also, the numbers went down one, from 2996 to 2995. So the two more deaths bring the number(s) to, oh, say, 2997, or, 2996, depending on who you listen to.

The list closes, quickly, in on the number THREE THOUSAND.


All fatalities with active DOD links have been confirmed by The Department of Defense.
Total: 2995 Confirmed: 2984 Pending: 11
Date Name Status
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/28/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 Shaffer, Edward W. Pending
12/27/06 Esckelson, Christopher Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/26/06 NAME NOT RELEASED YET Pending
12/27/06 McCormick, Clinton T. DoD Confirmation