It was an eerie feeling (a word we Erie-ites love to use) a couple weeks ago when I was browsing through USA Today and saw the short list (only 3) of the latest casualties from Afghanistan with an Erie boy's name first. He was really from our suburb, Harborcreek. We've had three from our borough, this latest an EOD (explosive-ordnance disposal) technician, age 23.
The wake and funeral were held in the high school he attended, with full military and local honors, as he had also been a member of our area volunteer fire department since a young teen.
We caught the 140+ vehicle procession at the corner of Buffalo and Nagle Rds. A small group of 8-10 year olds (scouts, I'd guess) were positioned right at the turn and waved flags and stood at attention as the cars and numerous emergency vehicles and firetrucks passed by.
Let us pray for an end to the wars that send so many young, young men and women back to their hometowns--for burial.
Here is a stunning list: total casualties in 20th century wars.
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