Corporal Nathan McMillan who is a US Marine currently deployed to Iraq, kisses his wife Carie on February 27, 2006 . . . minutes before he left for Iraq.

In his wife's own words...

"It was our last kiss for 7 months, but I know that God is protecting him and his boys and they will be returning home in September . . . Thank you to all the men and women who selflessly put their lives on the line so that we can enjoy our freedom. And I especially want to say, Thank you to the love of my life, my husband and hero,  Nathan . . . I love you darlinf\g and I am here waiting for you to hold me again . . . See you again soon and keep trusting HIM, who is carrying you through! ALL MY LOVE, Your wife Carie".

Photo submitted by Carie McMillan

A U.S. Army Soldier from Military Transition Team 4, 101st Airborne Division takes a break in Yusifiyah, Iraq, May 26, 2006.

U.S. Air Force photo by
Senior Airman Richard Rose

Army Air Corps veteran Paul Perlongo holds a folded American flag to represent the heroes killed preserving America's freedom in past and current wars during the Chicago Memorial Day parade in Chicago, Ill., on May 27, 2006.

DoD photo by
Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen
U.S. Air Force

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Gen. Peter Pace poses front and center for a picture with members of a B2 Spirit stealth bomber squadron on Andersen Air Base, Guam, June 2, 2006.

On his way to the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Pace stopped in Guam to meet with deployed American forces and to receive a tour of the facilities.

DoD photo by
Staff Sgt. D. Myles Cullen
U.S. Air Force