Each of these red drops of blood represents one killed or wounded person. In the case of American soldiers in the Medically evacuated category, it may also represent those who became ill enough that they had to be evacuated back to the U.S. or another country.

Please keep in mind several additional points. First, there are an unknown number of wounded and ill civilians and soldiers who have died later, but whose injuries were a result of the invasion. Thousands of soldiers and Iraqi civilians may suffer and die for decades from America's use of depleted uranium weapons. Addtionally, these numbers are increasing by dozens on most days. Also, there are many thousands of American mercenaries from around the world whose fatality and casualty numbers are unknown. Whatever the total number of casualties, the number of people is at least as many as the population of a small city.

Lastly, each of these drops of blood represents dozens, perhaps thousands of affected individuals. Never forget that each of these fatalities and casualties represents much more than one isolated human being. They are fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, and friends. Tens of thousands of families are irreparably harmed. Many are police and firefighters, so a community has lost another protector and the valuable time and money it took to train that person. That community is less safe and has been hurt fiscally. Businesses have lost owners and employees. Families have lost the main income provider. The country has lost a taxpaying citizen and colleague. Humanity has lost one of its kin.

The source of the American soldier information is from the Pentagon's own web site. The other information is compiled from various sources.