I would first like to respond to the recent comments. As I have said before everything that I put in this blog is true and what I personally saw, if I heard this from fellow soldiers I will say so. I know about the Bronze star give away because in a briefing from our commanding officer, an LTC, about six months ago we were told that all officers would recieve a Bronze Star for merit. He went on to explain the difference between one for "merit" and one for "valor". "Valor" is in response to actions in battle or contact with the enemy, generally sustained contact. "Merit" is just the opinion of the Officer giving the award. And our Brigade commander decided all officers would get one, that is the fact and I challenge any person to disprove it. Furthermore, when i first arrived in Iraq numerous articles were written in the "Stars and Stripes" over people sitting in Kuwait and getting Bronze Stars for sending convoys into Iraq, meritorius conduct ? Yeah, right.

Peggy has asked me to coment on what it's like to be home now, so I will. At the risk of sounding like a wimp I will say that it's a little difficult. It is great to be home and know I have been given a second chance at life. As I look out my bedroom window to the moutains of Ventura I feel very lucky. Just today I was riding the train to Los Angeles to notify my employer, AMTRAK, I would soon be ready to start, I watched all the hills and woodlines and saw people riding horses and just generally living, then for some reason I thought of those that did not live through Iraq and I choked up. I thought of the guy from my unit here in Calfornia, (three of us were sent to the 442D) and why he had to have both his legs blown off, and now he is in therepy trying to learn how to walk again, it's really quite odd. I do not miss Iraq or the danger at all.

I've also recieved hugs and prayers from so many people it's almost overwhelming to know so many people were thinking of me and really caring, so sad for those that did not come home. I may have to seek out a veterens group to get these thoughts off my mind, it a terrible clash. On one hand I am overjoyed with being home and living a happy life and on the other I am so very sad for those that paid the price for me to live this life".There but for the grace of God go I"

One more thing on my last blog entry, I will follow it up with the "Purple Heart" the awards given for wounds recieved for action in contact with the enemy. I will also be mentioning the NCO that made things so difficult in Iraq, MSG Lankey Morrill. And there will also be an entry on what happened when a convicted felon in my unit was brought up on charges for assaulting an NCO in 2004 and when this same guy in December of 2005, threw an Iraqi intrepreter into a raging bonfire and later kicked and choked him, as he did the other Iraqi that came to his aid. It I will note at this time that the guy doing the punching and choking was covicted of assault. And this is all documented FACT!!!