‘I Fight for My Friends’

Army Pfc. Marc Delgado
Oct. 19, 2005

sorry it's been so long since I've written. But we've been working 12-hour days and then doing other stuff on top of that, so writing to you is hard. I'm sorry. But I took the time to write you [now] because I'm tired anyway and I don't really care anymore. I'll just be tired … I do the same thing everyday so any news is new news to me … Well, I can barely keep my eyes open so I'm gonna go. Love you, mom. I'll see you in about 3 months or so.

Delgado, 21, of Lithia, Fla., died Nov. 24, 2005.

Army Cpl. Daniel Freeman
Feb. 20, 2005

About what you said in your last e-mail, i absolutely agree that what i have experienced in the army is far more profound than anything else in my life. The things that I'm able to deal with would blow most people's minds. i've learned that my mind can be my ally as well as my enemy, and I'm constantly fighting it. This applies both mentally and physically. In my life right now i have many people and personalities that i have to deal with. I had to teach myself how to be a more flexible person, when dealing with all of these personalities. In reality i don't have an option when in combat these are the people fighting to the left and right of me. Physically I've learned how to push myself to my limits and once there, continue to go. You'll be amazed how easy your mind will set limits, but how far your body will go. I've run further, marched longer, and been awake for more days than i ever thought my body could handle. Another reality for me is that i now realize that when i joined, i was jaded by thought of glory and grandeur. I no longer fight for a country, a flag or anything we view as patriotic. I fight for my friends who are next to me in combat, i fight to get home, I fight for the simple fact that i refuse to die in a land so far from those who are dearest to me. When civilians ask me why i do what i do, why fight, my only thought is that they'll never understand, we don't fight for glory we fight for those men, who we've bonded with, spent countless hours with, and suffered with. I fight for them, for their wives, for their parents. My biggest fear is not my death, its the death of those whose parents and wives i'll have to see suffer. That's why i fight, that's what makes me a soldier, that's why i don't question why i go to war, I want you to know that i love you, and i well see you in a year from now. Love, Daniel

Freeman, 20, of Cincinnati, died April 6, 2005.