It really struck a true note, Ernie.

"A soldier based at Ft. Bragg..." or "A Marine based at Camp Lejeune... died yesterday in Afghanistan...." comes over my radio several times a month, and sometimes several times a week, during the local news portion of NPR. Some of them homegrown North Carolina boys, many more from places all across these United States. I listen to the sparse details, which always includes the age of the soldier. Corporal__________, age 21. Private ___________, age 19. Sargeant __________age 23.

It stops the heart to think about.