Their Faces and Their Names: (Some) of the Human Cost

[Modem Butterfly]

Army Spc. Dustin C Fisher, 22, of Fort Smith, AR. Killed May 24, 2005. He had gotten married just a few days before is deployment. His father and brother both went into the Army. His mother said he was trying to decide whether to enlist or become a firefighter. “He had his whole life planned and now it’s no more to be,” she said.



Army Staff Sgt. Michael C. Ottolini, 45, of Sebastapol, CA. Killed November 10, 2004. He had six siblings, a wife and two adult children. He had spent half his life in the California National Guard. He derived a great deal of satisfaction from his guard duty. His brother said that while he was frustrated with a lack of supplies, a severe injury to a friend, and the large number of young Iraqi victims, "Mike had no regrets being there, because he believed in what he was doing,” Jay Ottolini said. “Right or wrong he backed the American flag and took his orders.”



Army Spc. Benjamin W. Isenberg, 27, of Sheridan, OR. Killed September 13, 2004. He had a wife and two young sons. He was an employee of the Oregon Forestry Departent and was involved with conservation and fighting forest fires. "He had an impact on more people than we will ever know," said co-worker Patrick Cliner.

[DrDebug]

1. That's one major difference nowadays.

Most of them are in their 30s and older and often have a wife and children already. So the impact is much stronger as well, because it ruins families.

[Ilsa]

2. This message to slain father in my town in TX:

Someone set up a website for Cpl Gary Walters of Victoria Tx for message posting. He's buried about fifty feet from my mom. His site is still covered in flowers and flags every day. He died in late April, I believe.

"Dad I really miss you I can't believe this happend to my olny cool and hero dad. I can't take a nother day without you and I wish to be back in your arms where I belong.Dad you were the best and I will never forget what you did for not only our family but millions of other familys.Dad talking to Tristan really helped me not stress so much.I hope your doing fine up there without me because I'm not doing so good without you.Dad I remember when I went to nanna's house and watched home movies and when I was in frount of the camera, you never put down you were so happy that I was your daughter and I thank you for being the greatest dad I could ever have I just wish that you were still here to see my accomplishments ,along with Jayde's,Trent's,and my new baby brother witch you will never see.Dad when you first signed up for the army and you took me and Jayde to three different stores to buy anything we wanted and I still have the bear you got me and I want you to know that I will always treasure it.Dad I was going to send you Birthday card Sunday but diddn't get the chance to.Dad I can't believe this happend to you I wish it was just a nightmare that I would wake up from but I know that being in Heaven is better than being in Iraq.Dad I love you and your in my prayers and that your my dad and until the day we'll be together I will be dreaming of you.LOVE KELSEY " Snip

http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/waltersjrgaryw.html

Someone had written a LTTE recently blasting the community for not turning out in record numbers for his funeral or to libe the streets when he passed. No one had organized such a thing, and you really do need that to make it happen. I thought about responding, "Why don't you ask the Commander and Thief the same question?"

[Modem Butterfly]

4. So sad.

[arwalden]

3. Heartbreaking.

[Modem Butterfly]

5. Kicking

:kick: