Today I was tasked to pull gaurd duty at a job site right on the Iraq border. I think the media has got everybody convinced all the trouble is in Baghdad, but I just want to say this....that whole country is trouble. I guess you can't get away from being shot at or having things thrown at you no matter where you are. The day was the usual gaurd duty stuff, mostly standing around looking like a big mean American soldier. But here is the twist, The Iraqi's were throwing rocks throughout the day and shouting insults (I'm guessing thats what they were, as I heard the same phrase over and over again). It just got worse from there I was approached by three men who smiled and even shook my hand and tried talking to me in limited english before one of them pulled a gun on me, and even fired off a round. It missed of course, otherwise I wouldnt be here typing this out. But Adrenaline kicked in and I ended up taking the man down, rather forcefully (like with the butt-stock of my weapon). I'm still very shaken up by this whole event, and probably will remain so for years to come. He was zip-tied and turned in to the Military Police, who were telling me this is a day to day occurence there....I guess just last week another soldier was unfortunate and ended up losing his life during the same situation. I made a promise to Kate before this whole deployment went down, that nothing would happen to me...And I'm more than determined to make it home to her so I can stay by her side for the rest of my life. Today's events just got me thinking, that today I could have lost my life...I mean I experienced getting shot at, and lived to tell the tale. It really can't get much worse than being shot at almost point blank...Damn I'm luckier than I'll ever realize. Kate, I'm beyond determined to get home alive at this point. I love you soo much. My ears are ringing, I think church is in the works for me shortly.