Toward the end of my year in Iraq, I was surprised to find that I worried about leaving the country before the mission was complete.

I had missed my family so much for so long. Yet, when I thought about leaving Iraq with the mission not complete, I felt sad. Part of me thought that we should all stay until the mission was accomplished . They were talking about sending new Soldiers, many from the reserves, to Iraq. Why not add them to the numbers we already had, I thought. I could imagine how much nation-building we could accomplish with those resources.

The governor of Taji, Mr. Fucher, said the Iraqis could develop into a democracy if only we would stay and watch. There was fertile soil in Iraq for change. A democratic society could be develope

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