As an advocate for peace, I choose to take the time at least once weekly to remember the cost of war to civilians, and to remember the friends and families of United States service personnel who have been killed.
This past week, the Department of Defense announced the following service personnel deaths:
Staff Sgt. Richard L. Vazquez, 28, of Seguin, Texas
Source
It is also easy to forget that the human cost of war extends beyond combat-related deaths.
May the friends and families of those who have died find peace. May those in combat areas, as well as their friends and families, find peace. May returned veterans find peace. May those who experience the mental health costs of war find peace. May the world find peace.
National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of November 12, 2013
The department of defense also operates in non-combat capacities. Currently, the department of defense is supporting humanitarian relief operations in the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan.
May international cooperation help save lives, and help the world find peace.
There are many ways to donate to relief efforts in the Philippines. One way is to donate to UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief), where 100% of your donation money will go toward disaster response.