10:11 PM, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

Dear Leann,
God I miss you. The guys are all sick of hearing that story about us at the Roosevelt that New Year’s. I just wish I could touch your face and kiss you all over. It’s dark now. The fighting was light today. Sergeant Boyland got hit in the leg this afternoon, but he’s okay. I guess I owe him a case of Bud, since he was the first to catch lead. It was a stupid bet anyway, and when I looked in his eyes when they carted him off, I knew he wished he hadn’t won. This new body armor they’ve got us wearing is pretty good, but it’s hot as hell. You can tell the new guys because they wear every damn piece of it. Still, if it saves you, it’s probably worth it. I just hope I don’t die of heat stroke before I can get out of here. Somalia is crazy, hon. It’s like those after the bomb movies we saw in high school, where there’s nothing but rubble and ash everywhere. Seriously, I saw a kid jump on a stray rat the other day like it was filet mignon. Kinda sad, actually. I don’t even really understand what we’re doing here, since none of the natives want us here, and it’s not like there’s a bunch of oil we’re trying to get or something. Freedom and democracy for everyone, I guess. Anyway, how are Lizzy and Tyler? What ever happened with that bully at Tyler’s school? I wish I could be there. I could show Tyler a couple of strikes we learned in basic that would take care of that bully pretty quick. Oh well, it’s probably better if he doesn’t learn that stuff just yet anyway. He’s in what, fourth grade now? Probably best not to become a combat veteran at nine years old. LOL. God I miss you. I miss your laugh more than anything. The guys in the barracks here like to cut up, sure, but it’s not the same. Your laughter was so light and spontaneous, I really felt like it was just for me. Like my own little prize. I miss Lizzy too. Her little chubby cheeks just made my day. Oh, and thanks for the pics. I can’t believe how big they’ve gotten! The little flowers in her pigtails almost made me cry. Almost. So, how’ve you been? I notice there weren’t any pics of you in the batch. What, you don’t want to pose for the ones I asked for? Hahaha. I promise, I won’t show a soul. Yeah, you know THAT’S not true. Every guy here is already jealous of how hot you are. I actually had one guy ask me if you were real. He saw those poster pics I made of you from your modelling ones, and he thought I just cut you out of a magazine. I told him, no, you were real and you were all mine. God you look good in those pics. Well, I guess I better go now. They have some kind of offensive planned for tonight. I’m not supposed to talk about it, it’s all TOP SECRET. Course, I don’t know shit, so I’m not sure what they’re afraid I’m gonna tell anybody. Well, I love you I love you I love you. Give Lizzy a big kiss for me, and Tyler a kick in the ass. As for you, I have a few ideas of what you can do to yourself for me, but only if you send me pics! LOL. Anyway, I love you. I miss you. I’ll email you sometime tomorrow again. Bye.
Last email from Corporal Nathan Gill, U.S. Army. KIA 23:00hrs, 11/12/11