The four days I spent in the Mohave Desert with troops from the 1st Infantry Division were enlightening, if not confusing. Acronym after acronym blurred into one another, and I was just along for the ride. In addition to learning many unique and impressive things about how the Army trains for war -- using Iraqi-Americans to "play" Iraqis in villages built by Hollywood set desingers was one of them -- I came upon one of the biggest cliches of the war.

All these soldiers want is for Americans to support the troops. It's a line we've heard over and over, but for them, it rings true. They know that most Americans think the war in Iraq was a bad idea, but they're dedicated to their jobs and are eager to complete their mission.

Here are their own words: