4000 Deaths

The media have been on death watch again, anticipating the moment they could report that "4000 U.S. service employees" have been killed in Iraq.

When the magic number was reached, CNN broke in to let viewers know.

Watch video of how CNN jumped on it.

The Associated Press reports:

BAGHDAD -- A roadside bomb killed four U.S. soldiers in Baghdad on Sunday, the military said, pushing the overall American death toll in the five-year war to at least 4,000. The grim milestone came on a day when at least 61 people were killed across the country.

Rockets and mortars pounded the U.S.-protected Green Zone, underscoring the fragile security situation and the resilience of both Sunni and Shiite extremist groups despite an overall lull in violence.

The attacks on the Green Zone probably stemmed from rising tensions between rival Shiite groups and were the most sustained assault in months against the nerve center of the U.S. mission.

The soldiers with Multi-National Division — Baghdad were on a patrol when their vehicle was struck at about 10 p.m. in southern Baghdad, the military said. Another soldier was wounded in the attack — less than a week after the fifth anniversary of the conflict

Identities of those killed were withheld pending notification of relatives.

Navy Lt. Patrick Evans, a military spokesman, expressed condolences to all the families who have lost a loved one in Iraq, saying each death is "equally tragic."

"There have been some significant gains. However, this enemy is resilient and will not give up, nor will we," he said. "There's still a lot of work to be done."

...Last year, the U.S. military deaths spiked as U.S. troops sought to regain control of Baghdad and surrounding areas.

The death toll has seesawed since, with 2007 ending as the deadliest year for American troops at 901 deaths. That was 51 more deaths than 2004, the second deadliest year for U.S. soldiers.

The 4,000 figure is according to an Associated Press count that includes eight civilians who worked for the Department of Defense.

The 4,000 death toll is being called a "grim milestone."

Read more:

MSNBC

CNN

New York Times

Editors’ Note
The New York Times includes in its tally of military casualties in Iraq only deaths that have been confirmed by the Defense Department. The Associated Press includes civilian contractors and some deaths not yet announced by the Defense Department in its count.

Reuters

The number of U.S. soldiers to die in Iraq has reached 4,000, the U.S. military said on Monday, just days after the fifth anniversary of a war that President George W. Bush says the United States is on track to win.

Of course, 4,000 is being exploited, just as other "grim milestones" were.

I don't know why 4,000 deaths in Iraq is breaking news. I guess it's the way we think. We give certain numbers added significance.

We lend some numbers special meaning. They aren't meaningful in themselves.

There is nothing more special about number 4,000 than 3,999 or 4,001.

What about 4,002?

The significance of a human life lost cannot be measured by what number it happens to be. Each death is as newsworthy. The loss of each precious life matters.

Last week, Gateway Pundit posted "Sizing Up Sacrifice- Iraq War vs. Major Battles Since WWII." Figures and graphs of fatalities provide perspective of the human price in Iraq over the past five years compared to the lives lost in past conflicts.

Iraq War (5 years)-- 3,990
Bataan Death March (one week)-- 10,000
Battle of Guadalcanal (186 days)-- 7,099
Battle of Guam (20 Days)-- 3,000
Operation Market Garden (9 days)-- 3,664
Battle of the Bulge (41 days)-- 19,276
Battle of Iwo Jima (39 days)-- 6,821
Battle of Pusan Perimeter (61 days-Korea)-- 6,706

As you can see, the deaths in Iraq over five years have been dramatically less than those suffered in a matter of days during other wars.

So what?

Yes, the comparison offers perspective.

However, it's important to remember that every single life sacrificed in service to our country is as significant as any other.

Should 4,000 deaths in Iraq be a benchmark that warrants special reflection? I don't think so.

Each death deserves special pause from the nation. I don't get the milestone stuff.

Losing a son or daughter, spouse, parent, sibling, or friend in a war isn't about a number at all.