A Glimmer of Hope

Life is worthless over here to so many. Killing everywhere and always ongoing. So many people don't care and have appeared to have given up. But I won't, I need to be here to help them ...

Westhusing, 44, died in an apparent suicide on June 5. He was less than a month away from going home.

Army National Guard SPC. John f. Thomas
June 12, Baghdad

Dear granddaddy and Manolita,

I hope all is well when this letter reaches you. All is well with me. [ ... ] So far we have only lost soldiers to injuries and family problems. There is a soldier who went home for 10 days to see his newborn. That was 18 days ago now. We are assuming he has no plans of returning.

Thomas, 33, was killed by an IED on July 24 while on patrol in Baghdad. He was promoted posthumously to sergeant.