Death Toll

I just don't understand this. <a href="http://www.billingsgazette.com//index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/01/18/build/world/30-iraq-toll.inc">U.S. death toll in Iraq reaches 500.</a> Why is the 500th casualty more signifigant than the 499th, or the 200th, or the 162nd for that matter. Every life lost in this conflict is signifigant and should be mourned, not just some magical benchmark death. There must be something signifigant here that this dumb rancher isn't seeing.<br />n<br />n<b>THE LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.<br />nHe maketh me to lie down in green pastures:<br />nhe leadeth me beside still waters.<br />n<br />nHe restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in paths of righteousness<br />nfor his name's sake.<br />n<br />nYea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,<br />nI will fear no evil; for thou art with me;<br />nthy rod and thy staff they comfort me.<br />n<br />nThou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:<br />nthou anointest my head with oil;<br />nmy cup runneth over.<br />n<br />nSurely goodness and mercy shall follow me<br />nall the days of my life:<br />nand I will dwell in the house of the Lord<br />nforever.</b>