I'm here. I volunteered to be here. If I didn't volunteer to be here others would be here. I know I can do it and our family felt it was important to do it.

As I said I volunteered. I serve with hundreds of military who didn't volunteer. They had no say in the matter. They were told to be here and they serve with honor. I have the option to curtail and leave with no repercussions at any time.

I spent time in the military but now I'm here as a civilian. Your praise is better served directed at the guys and girls who are out in the red zone securing the outlying districts helping us stay safe here. I'm not in Sadr city and I'm not patrolling route Irish. Those are the heroes. I just got some rockets fired my way. They go out chasing the guys who fire the rockets.

I hate to say it but that makes me feel worse because I feel awfully small when I think about my concerns.