Portraits of the fallen

Today the New York Times published photos of soldiers who have died in Iraq. Their faces cover more than 2 pages, and for those with no photos, names are listed. There are faces of men and women (the women are harder to find), some staring, some grinning. It seems impossible that there could be so many. I tried to look at each one, the eyes, the smiles, the names. Each photo suggests a world of pain and loss, a grieving family, parents, wives, husbands, children. I'm uncertain of the word "fallen" - a euphemism, a conceit - but I hope it conveys some dignity. These pictures will stay with me, when I think about this election......