It will break your heart.

Did you see the photos on New York Times Online today of families mourning their lost servicemen during funerals at Arlington National Cemetery? In one of the photos, Army Corporal Carl W. Johnson II is mourned by a group of family and friends including seven young children and one teenager. Go look at it. It will break your heart.

At least 103 American troops were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan during October 2006. In Iraq, the toll had reached 99 by Saturday, making October the deadliest month since January 2005.

The high number of deaths is attributed to a wave of violence during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which began in late September and ended last week. Also at fault was a three month campaign to wrest control of Baghdad from death squads. The campaign resulted in increased attacks on our soldiers.

The Iraqi War and occupation is the Vietnam War all over again. ---Walter Haan, www.war-books.com