The Milestone in Iraq
Wednesday, 27. December 2006, 11:48:59
AP - 12/26/06
by Larry McShane
U.S. Iraq War Toll Passes That of 9/11
In a span of a few hours, 2,973 people were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In a span of 45 months, the number of American troops killed in Iraq has exceeded that grim toll.
The milestone in Iraq came on Christmas, nearly four years after the war began, according to a count by The Associated Press.
With new casualties announced by the U.S. military on Tuesday, the death toll of American soldiers since the March 2003 beginning of the Iraq war was at least 2,978 - five more than the number killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The 9/11 death toll includes the 2,749 killed at the World Trade Center, 184 at the Pentagon and 40 passengers aboard United Flight 93.
Those killed in Iraq came from across the United States, including more than 50 residents of Alabama, more than 40 from Kentucky and more than 30 from Nebraska.
Many enlisted because they felt it was a way to battle terrorism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Jonathan Lootens, from upstate New York, joined the Army, telling family members: "This is something I have to do."
"It did impact him and make him feel like he should serve," his father, Robert Lootens, said Tuesday. "He felt that this was his time."
The 25-year-old sergeant was killed during his second tour of duty when a roadside bomb went off near his vehicle in the city of Kirkuk. His father says more than enough Americans have died in the conflict.
"I want the boys to come home, you know," Lootens said. "Personally, I can't see where we're really accomplishing anything over there anymore."
The death toll in Iraq was an emotional reminder of loss for family members of Sept. 11 victims. Sally Regenhard's son Christian, a firefighter and a Marine, was killed at the trade center on Sept. 11.
"I just would like this war to stop in whatever way we need to," Regenhard said. "I can hardly tolerate it when I see these beautiful people. It reminds me of my son. ... These people are being massacred."
Other Sept. 11 family members said they still supported the U.S. military's efforts in Iraq.
"We are engaged in a fight for the free world against a determined enemy, and casualty numbers should not weaken our resolve," said Debra Burlingame, whose brother, Charles, was the pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
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by Larry McShane
U.S. Iraq War Toll Passes That of 9/11
In a span of a few hours, 2,973 people were killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In a span of 45 months, the number of American troops killed in Iraq has exceeded that grim toll.
The milestone in Iraq came on Christmas, nearly four years after the war began, according to a count by The Associated Press.
With new casualties announced by the U.S. military on Tuesday, the death toll of American soldiers since the March 2003 beginning of the Iraq war was at least 2,978 - five more than the number killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
The 9/11 death toll includes the 2,749 killed at the World Trade Center, 184 at the Pentagon and 40 passengers aboard United Flight 93.Those killed in Iraq came from across the United States, including more than 50 residents of Alabama, more than 40 from Kentucky and more than 30 from Nebraska.
Many enlisted because they felt it was a way to battle terrorism in the wake of the 9/11 attacks.
Jonathan Lootens, from upstate New York, joined the Army, telling family members: "This is something I have to do.""It did impact him and make him feel like he should serve," his father, Robert Lootens, said Tuesday. "He felt that this was his time."
The 25-year-old sergeant was killed during his second tour of duty when a roadside bomb went off near his vehicle in the city of Kirkuk. His father says more than enough Americans have died in the conflict.
"I want the boys to come home, you know," Lootens said. "Personally, I can't see where we're really accomplishing anything over there anymore."
The death toll in Iraq was an emotional reminder of loss for family members of Sept. 11 victims. Sally Regenhard's son Christian, a firefighter and a Marine, was killed at the trade center on Sept. 11."I just would like this war to stop in whatever way we need to," Regenhard said. "I can hardly tolerate it when I see these beautiful people. It reminds me of my son. ... These people are being massacred."
Other Sept. 11 family members said they still supported the U.S. military's efforts in Iraq.
"We are engaged in a fight for the free world against a determined enemy, and casualty numbers should not weaken our resolve," said Debra Burlingame, whose brother, Charles, was the pilot of the plane that crashed into the Pentagon.
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zerog # 27. December 2006, 21:20