Not a traditional veteran

Mike was off from work today because it was Veteran's Day and he works for the Army. He went in to the Fort anyway to get extra work done.

He's a government contractor - a civilian.

But he spent a year in Iraq in 2003 and six months in Kuwait in 2004 supporting the troops. Ensuring they had communications. Networks. Satellites. He lived among them.

He drove in a Humvee convoy. He slept in chem warfare gear in 120 degree weather. He picked scorpions out of his sleeping bag, bathed with baby wipes, crapped in a communal hole, and stood in line for food.

He drove through towns with Iraqis cheering for our side, happy Americans were there to topple Sadam. He drove by children on the roadside begging.

He drove by charred bodies.

Nightly, he heard RPGs and mortars blowing up outside his tent. Sometimes, if it was during one of our phone conversations, I could hear them myself. I worried he wouldn't come home, that the last time we spoke would be the last time I'd hear his voice.

I sent him care packages with Twizzlers and magazines and love letters, deodorant, batteries and toothpaste.

I cried every time I dropped him off at the airport for days.

I walked around like a part of me was missing until he came home.

Safe.

I am so proud of our troops and our country. They are true everyday heroes. I thank them for everything they do to keep us safe - to keep us free.

But I'm also proud of my husband and those who help them help us.








Young Iraqi boys hold up the American flag and cheer.


Overturned humvees


Townspeople give thumbs up.


Toppled statue of Sadam

There are so many more pictures that he took over there - some heart-breaking, some uplifting, some of the beautiful land of Iraq. If you want to check them out, check out the Flickr set here.