A painful month

Image courtesy: Pfc. Sarah Anderson

June may be coming to a close, but for at least 50 American families, the heartbreak of this month will never fully subside. While there was some success on the battlefield in Afghanistan, the past 29 days mark the deadliest month for coalition troops in the war theater.

Over the past 24 hours, the Pentagon has released names of eleven volunteer warriors who recently lost their lives serving on the war on terrorism's central front.

Staff Sgt. Edwardo Loredo, 34, Houston, Texas
Sgt. Joseph Caskey, 24, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Spc. Blair Thompson, 19, Rome, New York
Spc. Jared Plunk, 27, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Cpl. Daane Deboer, 24, Ludington, Michigan
Lance Cpl. William Richards, 20, Trenton, Georgia
Pfc. Robert Repkie, 20, Knoxville, Tennessee
Sgt. David Holmes, 34, Tennille, Georgia
Sgt. John Rogers, 26, Scottsdale, Arizona
Staff Sgt. Eric Shaw, 31, Exeter, Maine
Spc. David Thomas, 40, St. Petersburg, Florida

All of these fallen heroes were raised with unique values and backgrounds. Yet they came together in a faraway land to help complete a difficult, important mission. The Unknown Soldiers sends its deepest condolences to all military families mourning the loss of a loved one, and particularly those being forced to come to grips with the permanent effects of this painful month. You do not grieve alone.