NEWS & ACTIVISM: Tacoma observances tonight (Dec. 31) as 3000th US soldier dies in Iraq

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On Dec. 31, 2006, the 3000th U.S. soldier was killed in Iraq, AP (and also Iraq Coalition Casualty Count) reported Sunday.[1]  --  The soldier killed, in Baghdad, was Spc. Dustin R. Donica, 22, of Spring, Texas, a small town about 15 miles north of Houston.  --  As previously announced, in Tacoma, WA, there will be a 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. candlelight vigil at 6th & Sprague, and a reading of the names of the 3,000 American servicemen and servicewomen who have died in Iraq since Mar. 21, 2003, at Associated Ministries, 1224 South "I" St., Tacoma, WA 98405, beginning at 6:15 p.m.  --  The reading of the names will take hours; those present will have an opportunity to participate.  --  Please join United for Peace of Pierce County and Veterans for Peace Chapter 134 of Tacoma to share and commemorate this somber moment....

1.

U.S. DEATH TOLL IN IRAQ REACHES 3,000

Associated Press
December 31, 2006

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/12/31/ap3290191.html

The death of a Texas soldier, announced Sunday by the Pentagon, raised the number of U.S. military deaths in Iraq to at least 3,000 since the war began, according to an Associated Press count.

The grim milestone was crossed on the final day of 2006 and at the end of the deadliest month for the American military in Iraq in the past 12 months. At least 111 U.S. service members were reported to have died in December.

Spc. Dustin R. Donica, 22, of Spring, Texas, was killed Thursday by small arms fire in Baghdad, the Defense Department said. Donica was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.

His death was not announced by U.S. military authorities in Baghdad.

At least 820 U.S. military personnel died in Iraq in 2006, according to the AP count.