I was travelling between Forward Operating Base Warhorse in the Diyala Province to Logistical Support Area Anaconda 25 miles north of Baghdad when I staged a security halt beside this quaint little compound. A small girl came out of the home to greet us. I felt so strange seated inside an uparmored mine resistant vehicle while this small girl walked up beside my vehicle, smiled gently, and waved. I wondered in the moment who had greater strength. was it she, having to live and grow in so volitale a region, or I, who would conduct my business and soon go home, back to my comfort and \"American way of\" life? I wonder how she is.