"I feel very strongly that I have a duty to the country. It's my service to the country." (Audio Interview, 1:40)

Michael Brian Daake

Michael Daake in Iraq War: Afghanistan and Iraq Wars, 2001-present Branch: Army Unit: 113th Engineer Battalion Service Location: Iraq Rank: Captain Place of Birth: Kearney, NE

When Michael Daake enlisted in the Army at the age of 17 in 1988, he had in mind the service's promise of aid for a college education. But he found opportunities within the Army and stayed, going to Officers Candidate School. He began serving in a National Guard unit in 1997 and they were deployed to Iraq in the third phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a liaison stationed in Mosul, he worked 15-hour days, with no time off between December 2004 and August 2005. Since returning from duty, he has taken pride in training other National Guard personnel, but he is also dismayed that the American public is not focused on the war and supporting the troops.