In the first five days of December, 17 US soldiers have been killed and at least 130 wounded, pushing the overall US death toll in Iraq past 2,900. US casualties since the March 20, 2003 invasion now stand at 2,907 dead, 21,572 wounded in action and a further 24,565 injured in non-hostile incidents or evacuated due to disease.

I recently watched a story on 60 Minutes about the triage/surgical/medical capabilities for our troops in Iraq. The image that haunts me is of the main triage nurse-anesthetists face Lt. Col. Paulette Schank ... exausted, tear stained, determined, and certainly- emotionally scarred for life. She get's to fight for their lives and give her blood to help them live.

If you have time to see the report, click the link below. It is eye opening.

Link