I have repeatedly said, when asked, that if the stories about me helped inspired our troops and rally a nation, then perhaps there was some good.

I grew up in Palestine, West Virginia, which is mostly a farming community; there aren't a lot of jobs.

I have repeatedly said, when asked, that if the stories about me helped inspired our troops and rally a nation, then perhaps there was some good.

I woke up and all I could see was Iraqis standing all around me, looking down upon me. I knew at that moment something terrible had happened and I wasn't in the right place.

I try to dream about peaceful things, beaches, that is what I cannot understand. Why are they chasing me?

I remember the first time I put on the Army uniform. I just felt like a totally different person - I felt proud.

I don't come from a rich family - it's not like we lived in a cardboard box, but we didn't have a ton of money.