Operation Homecoming

Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front in the Words of U.S. Troops and Their Families is the result of a major initiative launched by the National Endowment for the Arts to inspire U.S. Marines, soldiers, sailors, and airmen and their families to write down and share their personal wartime experiences.

"We work with a lot of Turks and Iraqis, especially Kurds. ... One of our guys brought his guitar around to the guard shacks and played some American music for them. Sometimes they'd try to join in. You haven't lived until you've seen a bunch of Iraqi soldiers, complete with AK-47s, sitting around and singing with gusto as they mangle the Beatles' 'Let It Be.'
In times of trouble, mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom... Little Pea.
They really got into it.
Little Pea, Little Pea! Little Pea, yeah Little Pea. ... Whisper words of wisdom, Little Pea.
That was a good day."
– Sharon D. Allen, U.S. Army

"Your son was killed in action today. Despite intense enemy machine gun and rocket propelled grenade fire, your son fought like a lion. He remained in his fighting position until all his wounded comrades could be evacuated from the rooftop they were defending. It was during his courageous defense of his comrades that Aaron was hit by enemy fire. ... With the exception of the Marines on security, every man in the company attended the service. Aaron was respected and admired by every Marine in his company. His death brought tears to my eyes, tears that fell in front of my Marines. I am unashamed of that fact."
– Douglas Zembiec, U.S. Marine Corps, writing to the mother of Aaron C. Austin

Operation Homecoming: Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Home Front in the Words of U.S. Troops and Their Families, available now @ your local bookstore.