CNN notes that — with the death of Tech. Sgt. Jackie L. Larsen, 37, of Tacoma, WA — the number of women killed in Iraq has reached 100.

As a combat medic, I served with a lot of female soldiers — as the Medical Corps has more women serving in it than any other job. I have the utmost respect for these women soldiers, for doing what really is “men’s work”, and doing it just as well as any male soldier.

I carry a special affinity for female soldiers, and their combat deaths always hurt a little more.

I’ve ridden and stood silently in honor of some of these brave soldiers — and their funerals were the most difficult for me.

Young soldiers like:

• PFC Tina M. Priest, 19, of Smithville, TX
• PFC Amy Duerksen, 20, of Temple, TX
• SPC Carrie French, 19, of Caldwell, ID

I’m deeply saddened by the death of these brave young soldiers. Because they were so young. Because the death of any soldier saddens me. But mostly because—while these young girls were off fighting for our country — capable young men who are too afraid of war or too filled with hatred of President Bush and disdain for this country sit on their hands doing nothing, content to let men and women better than themselves keep them free.

Stephen Ambrose wrote that “the greatest casualty of war is the death of what might have been.” I think that especially true when I remember these ladies.