If you look at ANY war in the micro [one person] then all wars are the same. Unbelievably horrible! The only difference between a quadriplegic from WWI, WWII or Iraq is that today there is better health/rehabilitation care.
I think what the writer is referring to is the MACRO. In this context the Iraq/Afghan Wars losses are MILITARILY insignificant.....this may sound cold and heartless.....but facts usually are.
I did a fact check and the least we lost in Vietnam while I was there in 1969-1970 was 350 in one WEEK. Yes this is a relatively low loss war. That being said every loss is tragic...just not as many tragedies in this war.