Alex Horton joined the army in 2004, and during his 15 months in Iraq chronicled his experiences on his blog at armyofdude.blogspot.com. Now out of the Army, Horton keeps writing, if only to continue educating the public about the burden of war on soldiers and their families:
March 24, 2008
"I was in Baghdad when the number of U.S. forces killed in Iraq reached 3,000. It was New Year's Eve, and we were walking in from a couple of miles to conduct a raid in some shitty ghetto no one ever heard of. It was supposed to be a quick in and out.
"Except for the two mile hike. It started near midnight and we had been walking for a while until we halted, Dozer and I taking cover behind a long Iraqi van. I covered my watch with my hand and hit the Indiglo button: 12:27 AM, New Year's Day. I whispered to Dozer about the milestone we reached and we hugged before getting back up to continue the march.
"We had hoped 2007 would be better than the year that preceded it, but it didn't go exactly like that.
"2007 was the deadliest year for American troops in Iraq because of the surge and a new up close and personal strategy of living amongst the Iraqi Army in regular neighborhoods. I've said my piece about how well I think that has worked and how long it can go, but today isn't about that. .
"It was reported that the death toll has now reached 4,000. The media loves big, round numbers and glosses over the fact of 4,000 fallen sons daughters, and 4,000 families torn apart. A good deal of us were fortunate to make it back from Iraq with our lives. Four thousand weren't as fortunate. "
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Sunday 06 April
By jessica
All of you men and women are my hero. Can't wait to get you all home. With all the Hilary/Obama crap that they (media) show, they need to be remembering the war that is still going on in Iraq.
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Monday 14 April
By Robrmire9661
I have been looking at so much online that explains what you guys are doing every day. Much of what I read is from military sources that don't have anything to do with you personally. I am so happy I got to read about your life in your own words. It is so great and yet so tragic that your blogs are here to be read. I know this becomes political in many ways when some people discuss the war, but these blogs are from your heart and represent something more real than the mumbo jumbo that comes from Washington. I support you and all the men and women who are in harms way 24/7. I thank each and every one of you for all you do in the name of freedom and democracy all over the world.
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Friday 25 April
By pat dean
Hey, I think those guys and gals are heros, real modern day
warriors, carriers of the truth, the hope of our futures for without you we (USA) and other countries Iraq among others
would have no future. For ya'll to make a conscienous decision to step out and stand up for your beliefs and ideals is the most
heroic act I can think of. You fellows are where the rubber meets the road, where you've thought about the kind of man you want to be, the kind of citizen you want to be, the kind of
leader and example you want to be for others. I can't say thank you enough, it seems too simple and so small a gesture
for such incredible warriors. You make this country great and I am so proud of such galant men. Because of you I am free to write this message. Some of the greatest men in the Bible were men of great personal strength and character, they were true leaders, strong, willing to take a stand and fight for home, family and way of life and for there nation. God Bless all of you
and your families. You are on the side of right..........
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Wednesday 21 May
By nate
i served there all over that god forsaken country and i know and realize exactly what it is you who are there go through. for i have done it myself. i tip my hat to my brothers, and sisters still there. i wanted to return but i was injured there. i was there in 03-04 campiagn years.i was also involved in the fight for fallujah,and mixed it up with al sadirs army. i still remember, so keep your heads up , and stay chili. not everyone has forgotten , and all of us veterans still love you guys. thank you, very much. and stay strong.
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