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 died.
Since I last posted, the Department of Defense announced the following service personnel deaths:
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Matthew R. Rodriguez, 19, of Fairhaven, Massachusetts
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class James L. Smith, 38, of Huffman, Texas
Source 1 – Source 2 – Source 3
Airman missing from Vietnam War accounted for: U.S. Air Force Col. Francis J. McGouldrick Jr. of New Haven, Connecticut
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 December 4, 2013, National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of December 12, 2013, National Guard (in Federal Status) and Reserve Activated as of December 20, 2013
Units to be deployed as part of the upcoming Afghanistan rotation
May international cooperation help save lives, and help the world find peace.