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Dear Mr. Miska, Thanks a million for visiting me in the hospital. A lot of us guys don't have a great deal of family living in the area, so it's nice to have someone to talk to. Also, it helps a bunch when you can hear how previous veterans have dealt with their disabilities. Anyway, you mentioned that you guys still visit in the hospital, and since soldiers are still getting shot, I'll make a list of the things I found useful. Clothes--t-shirts and shorts help. Every once in a while, we like to get out of the robes, and some of us with leg wounds can't get pants on that well, so shorts help a lot. Sandals--Teva style sandals are nice, it beats walking around in the footies that the hospital provides. Underwear--boxers, and socks, the hospital doesn't believe in underwear! Razors--actual regular razors, not the disposable stuff the hospital gives, it chews our faces up. --Actually, personal hygeine bags would be nice, because otherwise the guys won't have anything to hold their stuff in when they move on from the hospital. Soap, shaving cream, q-tips (for the dust!), real toothbrushes, and toothpaste will help. Maybe bags that can attach to something for the guys on crutches, it sucks when you don't have a free hand anymore. Anyway, I hope these suggestions help out. Thanks a million for your support Big John! Charles Horgan Sgt US ARMY	"You might be against the war, but don't be against the soldiers who are out there fighting it. I joined to serve my country, but when I was there, I was fighting to protect my friends. That's what it came down to." — Horgan More info on Horgan
	SSGT Villafane "Being shot "at" ain't so bad..... It's "*being shot*" that really sucks!" More info on Villafane
Eric Torres receives his Purple Heart from our President, George W. Bush. Also present are his parents Norm and Bea Solgard.	Quote from a soldier in Iraq: " When letters of support from the states it makes all the hardships we face out here worth it. I really so appreciate the support. After going through a war it is really easy to get homesick, but the support from the states makes it a lot easier. I am glad Eric(Sgt Torres) is doing well. Eric is a good guy and it is a shame we lost him so early in the fight. He is definitely a character and was missed. I take a lot of pride in the fact that he mentioned me. I can't wait to get home in a while and tell him the rest of the war stories. He has plans to get a motorcycle when we came home, and he had dreams of showing me up on mine. I hope this injury doesn't discourage him. The night we were ambushed and we lost him was one of the scariest nights I've been through, it was a blessing that he only received a leg wound, it should have been a lot worse for our convoy."
"If you don't want to support us or this War then you have no understanding for the AMERICAN way of life. So feel free to protest. Freedom isn't free. Every human in God's world is meant to be free. Read your Bible. But just as important for you to know. As free as we are as Americans , it is our responsibility to spread it. Weapons of Mass Destruction or not... we are doing the Right and Just thing.... feel free to live in another country if you disagree..." SGT Lance VanDaniker
Photo Courtesy of Dan Swank	CPL Victor Thibeault and SGT Dan Swank being decorated at Fort Drum this past Summer. Victor is now a civilian working for the DAV and Dan is still a patient at Walter Reed.