‘A Messy Situation’

In an ongoing series, NEWSWEEK publishes letters and e-mails from fallen U.S. troops in Iraq to loved ones and friends back home. The following are unedited excerpts from correspondence provided by families of the deceased.

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Apr 9, 2007

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Army Sgt. Gabriel De Roo
April 27, 2003

We were all in the rain for about 8 - 10 hours a couple nights ago and it made me think about what soldiers in WWII and Valley Forge had to deal with for example. I am proud to serve our country even if its is just helping the Iraqi people and I am so grateful for all the comforts available to us that previous soldiers have been without - and even more proud of those who have been asked to give so much more than I have. Thanks for being so supportive while I've been on this little vacation! …

July 15, 2004

Hi Mom,
I just wanted to say hi and that I am so excited to see all of you again; I'm having trouble falling asleep at night because all I can think about is home! Only three days 'til I leave this FOB, I think I fly to Kuwait on the 19th and should be in WA by the 21st … Wow, I can't even describe how excited I am to come home!!... See you soon.

De Roo, 25, of Paw Paw, Mich., died Aug. 20, 2006, in Mosul.

Army Spc. Dennis K. Samson Jr.
June 2006 (poem)

This Sacrifice I give to you, this place we call home is now Iraq. This place we have to adapt.
This is the day that we cherish, to live each day as we can go home. To see our family & friends.