Since I was there, I thought I would answer a few things.

Lamp: Get a dictionary and try to get a grip on the English language. My soldiers and I care about freedom for all people more than we do about our own lives. I personally gave up a full 4 year free ride to the university of my choice in my home state in order to do this job and SPC Bressette will likely go to a job making $70k per year or better when he leaves the Army. Dead end lives? I am on track to retire in 6 years at 38 years old with about a quarter million stashed away thanks to a little financial discipline and my career in the Army. So, how is your life coming along? We only hunt and kill those people who are trying to kill us.

Jana: Locals do care. I often talk to them about news stories that they see on television. Thanks to us, they are no longer limited to state-run media.

D.: We win many hearts and minds. You only get to see a snap-shot of the events here. The people here have been a big help to us because they are tired of the terrorists here blowing out the windows of their stores and killing their children.

Mr. T: We do.

Leah: We joke about it, but keep in mind that we are probably statistically safer here than at home.

C-fish: I bought it on-line and had a friend send it. For the record, I am single.

Jim: Radio. We don't know for sure why it failed. It might have something to do with Mr. T's comment, or the fact that many of the people building these devices are incompetent. In the last 2 months, there have been 6 who blew themselves up while attempting to attack us with IED's.

Jdo: He is a Specialist and he is getting a real medal.

Thanks for the concern and the prayers