[nerdwithamachinegun]

We get guys coming from the outlying areas of Baghdad for a day or two of down time here at the palace. They get to eat in a marble dining hall with huge chandeliers and pretty fair food and swim in Saddam's pool. Sometimes they just wander the halls looking around and enjoying the cool air.
Whenever I sit to eat with someone who has obviously come in from the field I talk with them, find out their job and let them know that their hard work is appreciated and that more people than not are behind them.
I also make sure that the strays that wander the halls can call home when they ask to use the phone. It means a lot to someone coming in from the field to be able to spend ten minutes on the phone with their loved ones.

[maica]

You are a terrific liaison. Keep the stories coming to us and keep giving our thanks and admiration to our troops in Iraq!

[tgslTakoma]

You're doing good work over there, nerd. They do need to know that the overwhelming majority of regular folk back home are supportive of them and worry about their safety. A friendly face and a kind word is probably some of the best medicine these guys and gals can get; after phone calls to loved ones back home, of course.