I left for the beach on May 18 and returned on May 28. During that period of a little over a week, we lost 59 soldiers in Iraq, including at least 8 on Memorial Day:

At least eight U.S. soldiers were killed in restive Diyala province north of Baghdad on Memorial Day, two of the victims in a helicopter that went down, the military reported Tuesday.

All the dead were Task Force Lightning soldiers. The military said six soldiers died in explosions near their vehicles, but gave no further information.

It was not immediately known if the helicopter was shot down or suffered mechanical difficulties.

Wow – I am glad the Democrats caved and gave the White House their money now to continue this war. It is really making progress. (end sarcasm).