Hello again.

Well, I am in Camp Taji, Iraq. As for now, they got us watching some prisoners they say are the worst of the worst; to me, well, guess I seen worse in local bars (ha ha). Anyways, I want to tell you of an e-mail that I sent to my family about how I miss my children.

As I look around and see the kids playing, it makes me think of my kids. For years, the children over here have seen fighting, bloodshed and the loss of parents and loved ones. Everyday is such a struggle for them. The poverty of the children is heartbreaking, but yet as I watch them play soccer, I hear laughter; wanting so much to embrace them as my own and tell them one day it will all be OK. The rocks, hard ground and dust that get in their hair and eyes cannot stop them from smiling and waving. It is sad. If you’re a parent you surely understand.

So please, pray for the children and yours. Hug your children and tell them you love them everyday. Watch your children as they play--as they play on soft green grass and climb trees that have branches that hang low. Listen to your kids as they splash in the water and laugh at all the silly jokes. And after all is done at the end of the day, as they lay asleep, go check on them and watch them sleep for about five minutes. The peace they freely have…when all that is done and your day is complete, call the nearest soldier you know and thank him or her for the freedom that he or she so strongly believes in. Thank the vet that you see opening the doors for you as you walk into the store. Thank them; thank them all because it is our love for our children that we sacrifice so much for.

Sgt. Ignacio Rodriguez

Camp Taji, Iraq

Sgt. Rodriguez is a soldier from Tomball currently serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq. He may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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