your service.  I'm so glad you came back.  I mourn with you, the loss of your friends and your innocence.

over the next few months. Don't ever doubt that we really do want to hear about it, or that we care about how you're doing.

Thanks, and Good Luck, to you and all your friends.

for some time. Glad to see you here.

HUA

of the closeness that builds among soldiers.

There's something incongruous yet makes such perfect sense: in a time of the most intense hatred and violence, you love your brothers/sisters and want to be there to help them.

When you wrote:

I saw and did things I'm proud of, and other things I would only tell the guys I was with.

it struck me that those of us who weren't there should hear the stories (not necessarily yours). Most of us have no clue about what soldiers endure. I have some insights because my work involves people revealing things to me. I do know how much agony many soldiers carry throughout their lives, however.

Thank you for being home. Thank you for serving. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being you. I'm proud to have you represent our country.

Please continue.

Thank you for honoring the men who can no longer speak for themselves.

I'm sorry to hear about your friends. I'm just glad to hear that you're hope, and I wish the best for you as you return to civilian life.

since August.  You have a real gift with the pen (or keyboard), and have really helped me understand what it would be like to walk in the boots of our soldiers today.

Glad you're signed up at Kos, too.

As a place for you, your buddies and any military (active or vet) that need or want a place to vent and decompress?

Glad You Are Here

Thanks

Intellectual and Emotional Journeys post Service are important

Take care of yourself and your friends

Live your life right for the ones that are not back or who have physical or emotional challenges larger than your own.

We support you, your friends and fellow service members

We hope the next era of civilian leadership can provide that support too

for your service.

Keep writing.

I'm often asked if I would ever do it again with the hindsight if I have now. I would, only for the people I've met.

There is something to be said for this type of dedication. I see the same thing in my friend who came back after the 2004 Faluja(sp?) battle. When he first told me that he wanted to go back to help the soldiers, he's a Navy Doctor, I was totally taken aback. But as I thought about it it became clear to me that he valued those soldiers lives as much if not more than his own.

Thank you for this post. Thank you for serving. But most of all thank you for showing all of us what real honor is.

both you personally and, by proxy, those of your friends.  Most especially those that didn't get to write this wonderful diary.

I go into the IRR in a few months.  You'll miss the guys you're with but you're better for the experience:).

You have earned the right to look many a bumber sticker gooper 'troop supporter' in the eye and ask, " where were you? ". Glad you are back.

T&R

And the guy looking like he's deep in contemplation while he studies porn is hilarious.  

I'm often asked if I would ever do it again with the hindsight if I have now. I would, only for the people I've met.

The people you meet and work with are the best part ( after all, a 0300 sentry duty in Ft Lewis in the rain is not a whole lot of fun!). Stay in touch with your friends. Last night I had an overseas buddy who's been out for a few years over for a few beers---always a good time, even if I feel like crap the next day! One thing I have noticed from most who have served is a little bit of them stays in. Even if they are glad they moved on. I have met very few, if any, who have regretted their service. And I think it really does come down to those they met.

Thank you for your service.

I'm 64 and also a veteran.  You'll remember your fellow soldiers for the rest of your life.

My son also served three years, doing tours in Baghdad and Kandahar. Although he hated Iraq and I hated him being there, neither of us have any regrets about his service (I had to sign for him to join at age 17). He came home safely and is away at college now, kicking the ass of every chickenhawk college republican in his classes!

Hooah and best wishes to you in your transition to civilian life.

I'd like to introduce you to another great writer & soldier, Aly Renwick, who served in the British army, but became disillusioned with his service after being sent to Northern Ireland.

His book, Oliver's Army, is available for free online, but I'm trying to find a publisher for him so we can read his work offline!

Thank you for your service, and welcome home.

he saw his friends die, he still misses them to this day, and the nightmares and screaming at night still go on.Bless you ThisDudesArmy for this diary.

It was incredible and moving.

And welcome back home.

thank you for sharing this part of your life with us.  thank you for serving our country. May your holiday season be even sweeter now that you are home!

And thanks for going.

Here's to lost friends and long memories.

Thanks so much. Welcome back home. So sorry to hear about your loss. We really appreciate your moving account + am so glad you are safe. Hope you have a warm holiday + a great new year.