The death of a U.S. Marine in southern Afghan combat has ushered in a grim milestone.
STORY: They Gave Their Lives! Obama Honors Fallen Troops On Memorial Day
Cpl. Taylor J. Baune of Andover, Minnesota, is the 2,000th American to die in Operation Enduring Freedom, the name for the Bush administration so cleverly referenced as the “war on terror” after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
The operation began with the invasion of Afghanistan and the toppling of the Taliban, which harbored the al Qaeda terror network that conducted the attacks. But there were military actions and activities in other countries, nearby and far-flung.
The number of Americans who’ve died in Afghanistan itself totals 1,884.
Hopefully this unwarranted “war on terror” comes to an end soon. Too many lives have been lost in the name of “patriotism” and “national security.”
