Women and Children First "Colonel, do you have a minute?" "Make it a fast minute, Kelmer." "Sir. A roadside bomb detonated under a loaded bus in a convoy of a wedding party at 0317. The bride, bridesmaids, flower girls, as well as the rest of the children attending the wedding, were all killed. 53 dead, sir. The men were riding in a second charter." "Thank Christ." "Sir?" "You say we lost 53 women and children, Kelmer?" "Sir." "Women and children don't fight wars, Kelmer. Thank Christ we didn't lose any soldiers." "Sir."