U.S. Army Capt. Tim Peterman, commander, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, hands out soccer balls to Iraqi children during a dismounted patrol in Bayji, Iraq, Sept. 18, 2006.

U.S. Army photo by
Spc. Joshua R. Ford

Carl Edwards, NASCAR driver of the number 99 Office Depot car, signs an autograph for U.S. Army Spc. Brent Hendrix, wounded in Iraq this past June, during the NASCAR visit at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2006.

Hendrix was accompanied by his sister Missy, nephew Hunter and niece Haley.

Defense Dept. photo by
William D. Moss

Marines of Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment trudge up a sandy hill after a patrol through a neighborhood east of Husayba, Iraq Sept. 23.

The unit went house-to-house to meet local Iraqis and deter insurgent activity.

The Marines serve under Regimental Combat Team 5 and will be conducting operations in the Habbaniyah area for seven months.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ray Lewis

The Marine Corps Silent Drill Team from Washington, D.C., performs at Reliant Stadium in Houston at halftime of the Houston Texans and Washington Redskins National Football League game Sept. 24, 2006.

Military members were spotlighted as part of the Texans' “Salute to the Military” day.

U.S. Air Force photo by
Tech. Sgt. Cecilio M. Ricardo Jr.