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I will be leaving for Iraq one week from today. I am grateful for kind words and the assistance I have received from all of you, so much so that words cannot communicate my gratitude.

I'm still $3,500 short of the goal, so if you have not contributed at this time, please consider doing so. Every donation, no matter how small, will help me on my way.

Since all of you have taken the time to email and write me, and share your personal stories, it is time for me to let you see part of my personal life. The picture is of my wife Jennie, and my children, from left to right, Jaime (1 year old), Alex (5 years old) and Sarah (3 years old). I want to thank my wife for sticking with me and for giving me the strength during the difficult times over the past several weeks, and for what she will do in my absence. I have no greater support, without her unflinching support I could not have dreamed of doing this.

It will be very hard, perhaps the hardest thing I have ever done, for me to leave my family behind for the next month. But I believe in what I am doing, and feel honor bound to my country, to the Marines and soldiers, sailors and airmen fighting in Iraq, and to all of you who have placed their faith in my ability to make a difference in this war, however small. I am doing what I am doing first and foremost for my family. I want this war to end so my children will not have to fight this war.

Please email me if you are not comfortable using PayPal and are looking for an alternative way to contribute.

Thank you for all of your support and kind words of encouragement.