By Scott W. Winchell
Understanding what the sacrifice our soldiers, and our allies’ soldiers are is found at a great web site called ICasualties.org. This site gives us great insight as to the plight of our warriors, but more so, it once again shows that America is again giving the largest sacrifice to global peace. Much like our nation’s generosity that passes the cumulative efforts in global catastrophes, it is also the largest contributor in terms of the ultimate sacrifice.
To date, there are now 1,015 deaths attributed to Operation Enduring Freedom, which includes more than just Afghanistan, such as Pakistan, and areas in the horn of Africa. There have been 1,683 casualties by all allies, and as you can see, the USA has endured over 60% of the casualties. There are 26 nations that have suffered casualties, but the USA casualties exceed the cumulative total of all of the other 25 nations including Great Britain who has suffered the second highest number of casualties at 270.
Third among the Anglo-nations, Canada has also suffered 140 casualties, and between these three nations, they have suffered over 84% of all allied casualties in Operation Enduring Freedom. It is just another example of how the alliance of Anglo-nations is carrying the greatest burden helping when the world suffers, or when peace needs to be obtained. The main page of the site is here
The most recent US Casualties are listed below as of 3/4/10:
Nigel Olsen
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Nigel K. Olsen, 21, of Orem, Utah, died March 4 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve, based out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For additional background information on this Marine, news media representatives may contact the Marine Forces Reserve public affairs office at 504-678-0052.
Anthony Paci
The father of a Rockville man who died in Afghanistan says his son was trying to save innocent lives moments before his death Thursday.
Spc. Anthony A. Paci, 30, was killed when the military vehicle he was in rolled over in Gereshk, Afghanistan.
Leo Paci tells News4 his son was trying to avoid a family of civilians at the time of the crash. Spc. Paci asked the driver to swerve when he saw the family, his father said. Spc. Paci grew up in Bethesda, Md. and graduated from Whitman High School. He lived in Rockville as an adult.
Paci’s service in Afghanistan was his second deployment. In December 2005, he spent about 11 months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. Paci’s mother, Helene Paci, tells News4 her son is her “brave American soldier”. His father calls him simply, “a great guy” . Spc. Anthony Paci leaves behind a wife and three small children
