Back from Iraq

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 04:00:00

BACK FROM IRAQ

Jesse Leach

When Sergeant Jesse Leach and Lance Corporal Juan Valdez set out on patrol near Fallujah, Iraq last October 31, they had no idea a sniper would be waiting, and his single shot would nearly claim Juan's life.

Juan and Jesse join Dick Gordon in the studio to talk about Juan's premonitions and both mens' bravery.

Juan and Jesse are joined in their conversation by Captain Mark Broekhuizen. All are from the 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines.

JUan Valdez

All three are just back from the volatile Al Anbar province.

The three marines talk about their anger at the insurgents, their grief over fallen comrades, and what it's like to be home--where they often find themselves asked questions for which they have few answers.

Mark Broekhuizen

Ours is to do the job, not necessarily debate whether it's the job to do. Funny story: I was talking to a Marine from another company, I asked the kid, 'Hey, what do you think about the fact that Rumsfeld resigned?'. He said, 'Who's Rumsfeld?' Our concerns are much more immediate…taking care of your Marines and making sure they're getting home.
- Captain Mark Broekhuizen

See some of Mark's photos from Iraq
Explore a multimedia presentation about Juan and Jesse's unit

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- Back from Iraq

Back from Iraq

BACK FROM IRAQ