G.I.s react to soldier's ambush death in crash

The deaths of 30 American soldiers over the weekend has brought back back an awareness of the day-to-day toll of the war in Afghanistan.

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On "The Early Show," CBS News Correspondent Seth Doane shared a report on how one soldier's loss is felt by an Army unit in the key southern city of Kandahar.

In Kandahar, Doane met with 28-year-old Army Capt. Michael Blakely on the day he lost his first soldier. The soldier was Specialist Mark Downer, a combat medic. He was killed in an ambush.

Blakely said of the soldier's death, "It's terrible."

But there wasn't time for grief. The West Point grad had already begun planning a raid to recover the enemy weapon that killed his soldier.

Blakely's commander, Lt. Col. Kenneth Mintz, stood by his side.

Mintz told CBS News, "It's frustrating that they got a good attack in on us, but that's the way this game is played. Now it's time to get back after him."

When asked what happens on base after the death of a soldier, First Sgt. Jerry Neal said, "We mourn...and then we continue our mission and he'll never be forgotten."

The close-knit battle company of the 1-32 Infantry Battalion includes just about a 100 soldiers living under Capt. Blakely's command on a small combat outpost in the heart of Taliban country. In June, they'd repainted the mosque where, they say, Taliban leader Mullah Omar prayed.

The fight - in this part of Kandahar - is fierce, Doane said.

Blakely told CBS News, "Casualties are an unfortunate side-effect of war. We've got to move forward, so I've got to be the guy who moves the company forward."

Almost 370 troops have been killed so far this year - more than 40 in just the last month.

Sgt. Major John Horney said, "It happens and, yeah, you can't get stuck on it - not to sound callous - but if you get stuck on it, then, perhaps you'll take more casualties - so, you've got to stay focused."

Without enough intelligence, Blakely called off the raid they were planning, but Blakley says he's focused on the bigger mission ahead.

When asked about the emotional side of war, Blakely said he thinks about it, but said, "(I'll) just deal with it on my own time."

Doane asked, "Have you dealt with it yet - or do you just put it away?"

Blakely replied,"I guess we'll find out. I guess I've put it away for now."

Doane said it's a way to cope in order to command. These soldiers, Doane added, say they'll honor their fallen by continuing the fight.