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3500 and counting; it’s not just an American tragedy …

By Christine Anne Piesyk | June 6, 2007 |

How many more is it going to take to get YOU to start speaking out!

“… killed by a bomb while on patrol … had only been stationed in Iraq for a little more than a month …”

“… the vehicle he was in ran over an explosive device …”

“… killed when a roadside bomb detonated during combat operations …”

With each such statement, somewhere in America hearts are broken, dreams shattered, lives forever changed. On Wednesday at noon, the Iraq casualty count hovered at 3498. By 4 p.m. it crosses another line in the sand: 3500. To be specific: 3503.

Just over a week ago, as veterans and patriots across American marked Memorial Day with grief and honor, the number of American casualties in the sands of Iraq stood at 3,452. Each day thereafter added to that count, and here we stand.

One can spin the numbers in all kinds of ways, but the fact is we are losing husbands, wives, fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters, daughters and sons at an average of 4-5 per day. Just in Iraq. Then there is Afghanistan. And losses incurred in both countries by coalition forces. Add the Iraq military body count. And the horrendous toll of Iraqi civilian casualties. It’s not just an American tragedy. It never was.

The FreeThinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties will mark this newest landmark number with a quiet candlelight vigil Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Eternal Flame in downtown Clarksville, a service that will include the reading of the names of Kentucky and Tennessee soldiers who have died in desert sands and barren mountains territory overseas.

For those who are concerned, icasualty.org’s impressive website tracks number and demographic; the names of the dead are listed, as is the cause of death, including those troops whose deaths were self-inflicted (111). The numbers are sobering. 149 British troops. 127 “other” [coalition] troops. The confirmed dead, and the “pending confirmation,” are listed. 34,650 medical air transport of the wounded. No statistics listing of the hidden problems categorized as emotional and psychological.

On the right hand side of the icasualty screen is a “news” summary that identifies the dead and the cause of death in graphic statements such as these:

“… of wounds suffered when his unit came in contact with enemy forces using small arms fire …”

“… of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operation …”

“… died of wounds sustained from an explosion that occurred near his vehicle while conducting operations in Diyala Province …”

The horror stories continue. Today we mourn, yet again. We take time to honor these fallen soldiers. Join us in remembering.

And on the morning after, we can shift gears and resume our efforts to have our dissenting voices heard, to persuade legislators to formulate rational exit strategies, to hope for an end to this insanity.

But that’s in the morning. For now, we are still staggering under the burgeoning shadow of this new American tragedy. Grieve now. Then maybe we can ask again: why?

About Christine Anne Piesyk

With 40 years behind me (Huh? What? How did that happen?) as a journalist, feature writer, investigative reporter, editor, and film/theater/arts critic, I brought my liberal New England activism to Tennessee several years ago. having completed a midlife undergraduate degree in community organizing and women's studies, and an MA in Interdisciplinary Arts. I am currently an MFA student at Goddard College. I served on Future Search Commissions for two colleges and an issue-specific commission for the City of Northampton, MA, and did minor undergraduate work in studies in urban planning and community development. I am a community volunteer and a member of FreeThinkers for Peace and Civil Liberties. I am a certified storm spotter. In my spare time (define spare time please?) I am a voracious reader, obsessive movie buff, classical music junkie; I also and design and make sci-fi/fantasy and renaissance costumes. I have an unquenchable interest in just about everything. I see life as an ongoing opportunity for learning and adventure, with the best things still to come. All posts by Christine Anne Piesyk as presented on Clarksville Online are copyright ©2006, 2007 to the author.

Email: womanspeak@yahoo.com

Sections: Issues, Opinion, Politics
Topics: Death Toll, Iraq, Memorial

3 Responses to “3500 and counting; it’s not just an American tragedy …”

1. msmystery618 Says:
   June 6th, 2007 at 7:49 pm

   Ok, have we lost enough yet…how many more Americans and others have to die before enough people get off their butts and do something. I’ve talked to so many people that are fed up with this war, but NONE of them have stepped up to do anything. It’s great that so many agree, but it means nothing if our leaders don’t see it or hear it everyday. The larger the number of voices speaking, the louder the message gets. It seems our leaders are deaf…we need to make them hear. Let’s get out there, do a honk -n- wave, visit your local offices, e-mail, call, whatever it takes. If enough of us do something like this everyday…We Can Make A Difference! Let’s bring ‘em HOME!!!

2. cutepw Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 9:37 pm

   I agree, I am in a Forum and we wanted to write letters to the congressman of each state. If I would know the one in TN I would send my letter. A lot of people think it would not help at all but I think it would.

3. Bill Larson Says:
   June 27th, 2007 at 10:23 pm

   Check out http://www.tennesseeanytime.org/government/elected.html

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