Iraq

There have been 4,491 coalition deaths -- 4,177 Americans, 2 Australians, 1 Azerbaijani, 176 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, 1 Czech, 7 Danes, 2 Dutch, 2 Estonians, 1 Fijian, 5 Georgians, 1 Hungarian, 33 Italians, 1 Kazakh, 1 Korean, 3 Latvian, 22 Poles, 3 Romanians, 5 Salvadoran, 4 Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, 2 Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of October 3, 2008, according to a CNN count. { Graphical breakdown of casualties }. The list below is the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. The list also includes seven employees of the U.S. Defense Department. At least 30,680 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. View casualties in the war in Afghanistan.

Iraq

Staff Sgt. Alex Jimenez comes home for funeral

A hearse bearing the remains of 25-year-old Staff Sgt. Alex Jimenez came to a halt in front of his father's house in Lawrence, the scene of a 14-month vigil as the family awaited word of his fate. A memorial shrine with floral arrangements and half-burned votive candles was on the sidewalk. (7-25-08)

I didn't spend my Fourth of July in celebration the way I usually do. I had a lot of other things going on; it was the first time in a very long time that I hadn't partaken.

Last night and this morning, I had a lot of time to reflect on what the holiday meant -- and means -- to me.

Juxtaposition: July 4th Deadly Duality

Hat-tip Rex and KNIHT2

A comment I happened across on Delphi Forums struck me as particularly significant for some reason. It was this:

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On this date in 1826, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died within hours of each other. Today, it's Jesse Helms and Bozo the Clown. Gives you pause for reflection, yes it does...

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Bozo the Clown -- an iconic figure known for entertaining children and who many adults may remember from their childhood memories...an apt reference, given that roughly half the nation still plays childish games with name-calling and cliquish groups of exclusionary focus. Too many of them apparently missed the message of Bozo.

Jesse Helms, a powerful icon as well -- one who fought against racial equality and gay rights.

bumped -- cho

A Nation that sends its Sons and Daughters into Occupations?

A C-17 Airforce Transport plane arrives in Kandahar, Afghanistan to receive the bodies of five U.S. service members killed. Though more than 1,000 US and coalition forces were on hand to participate in the "ramp ceremony," a Los Angeles Times reporter and photographer were asked to leave the area by a military public affairs officer. A Pentagon policy banning coverage of this particular event was cited as the reason. [Photo: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times]

Iraq

There have been 4,426 coalition deaths -- 4,113 Americans, two Australians, 176 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, 5 Georgians, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of July 1, 2008, according to a CNN count. { Graphical breakdown of casualties }. The list below is the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. The list also includes seven employees of the U.S. Defense Department. At least 30,275 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon. View casualties in the war in Afghanistan.

Capt. Philip J. Dykeman 38 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division Brockport, New York One of three Marines killed during combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq, on June 26, 2008

Lt. Col. Max A. Galeai 42 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division Pago Pago, American Samoa One of three Marines killed during combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq, on June 26, 2008

Cpl. Marcus W. Preudhomme 23 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division North Miami Beach, Florida One of three Marines killed during combat operations in Anbar province, Iraq, on June 26, 2008