10 American Troops injured daily in Iraq.....

[cthrumatrix]

Number of Wounded in Action on Rise
Iraq Toll Reflects Medical Advances, Resistance Troops Face
By Vernon Loeb
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, September 2, 2003; Page A01


U.S. battlefield casualties in Iraq are increasing dramatically in the face of continued attacks by remnants of Saddam Hussein's military and other forces, with almost 10 American troops a day now being officially declared "wounded in action."


The number of those wounded in action, which totals 1,124 since the war began in March, has grown so large, and attacks have become so commonplace, that U.S. Central Command usually issues news releases listing injuries only when the attacks kill one or more troops. The result is that many injuries go unreported.

snip

With no fanfare and almost no public notice, giant C-17 transport jets arrive virtually every night at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington, on medical evacuation missions. Since the war began, more than 6,000 service members have been flown back to the United States. The number includes the 1,124 wounded in action, 301 who received non-hostile injuries in vehicle accidents and other mishaps, and thousands who became physically or mentally ill.

"Our nation doesn't know that," said Susan Brewer, president and founder of America's Heroes of Freedom, a nonprofit organization that collects clothing and other personal items for the returning troops. "Sort of out of sight and out of mind."


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12096-2003Sep1.html

nothing more needs to be said...

[Vitruvius]

1. And many will never be the same again.

Some will be impaired, some crippled, and some will end up in the special wards at the VA hospitals.

All so our useless AWOL drunken drug-addicted pResident can play macho warrior. With other peoples' lives and futures.

[teryang]

2. I predict a struggle with the VA

...between the vested economic interests protected by repuke Principi and the veterans from this war, especially the PTSD cases and chronically ill.