Three Names Three Deaths

Gerald Ford, James Brown and Saddam Hussein
Brandon Read, J.R. Spears, and John Sullivan (ed. 01-03-07)

Deaths come in threes. That's the myth, and this time it's reality.

The first group of three names, everybody knows. All three did things that they were proud of, and things that they were ashamed of. They are all dead. Two are being honored in death, one is scorned in death, at least in the United States. Enough is being written about them.

The second group of three names are not so well known, the third name of that group, is in fact, not yet known. The third name was revealed today (ed. 01-03-07)

Specialist Brandon M. Read
United States Army Reserve

Brandon was killed by an IED September 6, 2004 near Qayyarah, south of Mosul.
He was from Greeneville Tenessee, he was 21 years old, and he was a computer/internet enthusiast. He helped to get his high school's website started. Once he graduated he joined his dad in the Army Reserve.

He had volunteered to take the more dangerous gunner position on the return trip during a convoy mission, even though he had already served in that post on the first leg, and was originally supposed to be the driver on the way back. He never made it back.

He was the 1,000th member of the United States Armed Forces to be killed in Iraq.

Lance Corporal Jonathan R. Spears
United States Marine Corps



J.R. was killed by hostile small arms fire in Ramadi, Anbar Province, on October 23, 2005.

He was from Molino, Florida, and he was a football player in high school. He wanted to join the Marine Corps so much that he lost over 60 pounds to be able to do so. His best friend, Chris Smith, also a Marine, was able to be at his funeral, and was somehow able to stay at attention, while simultaneously holding J.R.'s mother's hand. His whole home town came to his funeral.

J.R. loved his country, the Marine Corps, and his family, which included his parents, and his two sisters, Jennifer and Jessica.

He was the 2,000th member of the United States Armed Forces to be killed in Iraq.

This evening, as I write this, the toll of U.S. casualties stands at 2,998. I know that tomorrow, or the day after at the latest, there will be a 3000th American servicemember killed. I wish that I did not know this. I wish that an American family was not going to have New Year's ruined for them for all time. I wish that all the men and women in Iraq, many of them so young, could come home without some of them having to die.

Sgt. John M. Sullivan, 22, of Hixon, Tenn., died Dec. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle while on combat patrol. I was wrong in my estimate, Sgt. Sullivan was killed the same day I wrote the original post. I would like to again extend my deepest sympathy and respect to his family and loved ones. (ed. 01-03-07)

The fact that each of these men's death marks a milestone in the Iraq war is tragic. These soldier's deaths are not more or less significant than the deaths of any other soldier in this war. Each death shatters a family, ruins a Christmas, devastates real human beings, cuts short a human life. The fact that I am listing these men here, along with the circumstances of their deaths, and some details of their lives, is in no way an attempt to diminish their sacrifice, or to dishonor them. I am deeply sorry for their families loss. I hope that listing them here, as the heroes that they are, in some small way shows honor to them and their families, and conveys my deep respect, and shared sorrow.

There are some other milestones that we have passed recently. 25,000 total U.S. Casualties. Iraqis, well, that's anybody's guess. Bush said 30,000 a year ago, but estimates go much higher.

The above figure is counting only those killed in Iraq, whether in combat or by other means, and those wounded in combat. If you count those who have fallen ill, been wounded or injured by any means, as well as those killed, the number is over 50,000. (ed. 01/07/07)

Monday, January 1st, starting at 4:00pm, there will be a candlelight vigil here in San Diego to honor our fallen in this war. It will be a peaceful, non-violent vigil, and it will be held at Balboa Park, in the grassy area on the Park side, opposite Balboa Naval Hospital.

Imagine



John Lennon

Peace