Perspective: At 'Fort Sam' Cemetery, War Toll Hits Home

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery

As the toll from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan mounts, cities and towns around the country are growing more accustomed to burying their sons and daughters. The ritual of laying to rest an active-duty member of the service has become more commonplace.

The San Antonio area has lost 25 members of the military in Iraq.

There's nothing routine about burying a 20-year-old. Nonetheless, Iraq war fatalities have been coming home with such regularity over the past almost-four years that people in San Antonio have learned what to do. The ritual is well established.

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