RONDA JILES VALENTINE

WOW! IT HAS BEEN 20 YEARS AND IT SEEMS LIKE YESTERDAY. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MILITARY THIS ENTIRE TIME (AND STILL HAVE 6 MORE TO GO). I JUST COMPLETED A TOUR IN IRAQ AND MAY BE RETURNING IN THE SPRING. THAT WHOLE SITUATION IS AN EYE OPENER AND YES I DID MY SHARE OF CONVOY OPERATIONS OUTSIDE OF MY COMPOUND, SO DON'T BELIEVE THAT WOMEN STAY INSIDE THE WIRE. . . NOT TRUE. I WAS A CONVOY COMMANDER, GUNNER AND DRIVER. I PROVIDED LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO THREE IRAQI POLICE PROVINCIAL HEADQUARTERS IN THREE DIFFERENT CITIES. THERE IS A LOT OF SUFFERING THERE FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED. PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS SERVING TO LIBERATE AND BRING DEMOCRACY AND PEACE TO THE IRAQI PEOPLE.

WOW. . . WHAT CAN I SAY. I THINK I WAS NOT A NERD BUT SOFT SPOKEN. I USED TO RUN TRACK WITH TASHA CLARK, AND A FEW OTHERS. . . BUT MY MOM AND DAD'S IDEA WAS TO FOCUS ON THE BOOKS. NOT MUCH ELSE TO TELL THAT I CAN RECALL.