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Here are the heroes:

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From OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM, this Press Release:

BAGHDAD -- Servicemembers from all over Iraq gathered here today in the Al Faw Palace rotunda on Camp Victory, to re-enlist and celebrate America's Independence Day.

All 1,215 servicemembers celebrated by raising their right hand and pledging to continue defending the 'land of the free' in what is the largest re-enlistment ceremony since the all-volunteer force began in 1973, according to the Multi-National Force - Iraq Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt, Maj. Marvin L. Hill.

"Volunteering to continue to serve our nation, while deployed - is both noble and inspiring," said Gen. David Petraeus, commanding general, Multi-National Force - Iraq. "It is, as award citations often state, in keeping with the finest traditions of our military services."

Petraeus presided over the ceremony and led the airmen, Marines, Sailors, and Soldiers in their oath to defend their country against all enemies both foreign and domestic on this day of celebration of America winning its independence.

"We recognize the sacrifices they make and the sacrifices their families and communities make as they serve in Iraq," Hill said. "These servicemembers know the cost of war and they are still re-enlisting."

All together, the servicemembers pledged more than 5,500 years of additional service to their country.

"It makes me feel proud to serve this great nation," said Spc. Zackary Cunningham, mechanic, 602nd Maintenance Battalion, Tactical Base Balad, who plans on making the Army a career.

The re-enlistees have every right to feel proud, according to Petraeus.

"You and your comrades here have been described as America's new greatest generation, and, in my view, you have more than earned that description," Petraeus said. "It is the greatest of honors to soldier here with you."

The Wounded Warrior Project ("woundedwarriorproject.org") benefits this day from a great good deed done by actor and producer, James Gandolfini, who yesterday auctioned off a number of clothing items worn by his character, "Tony Soprano," in the notorious, remarkable series, THE SOPRANOS.

Gandolfini was featured interviewing U.S. veterans in ALIVE DAY MEMORIES, HOME FROM IRAQ. (Read, previous post: BUY TONY SOPRANOS SUBURBAN, DAVID CHASE SPEAKS & JAMES GANDOLFINI PRODUCES

What I find particularly touching here with this successful auction of these garments is that there's such good being done with the proceeds, and in that, bringing good from the (fictional) destruction that was Tony Soprano's twisted character -- performed (in the real) remarkably by Gandolfini, who reveals that behind that character was (and remains) a really good guy.

I'm wishing everyone today a very Happy Father's Day, and, remembering my own Dad with immense affection. There is rarely a day goes by and has for years now since his passing on that I do not think of him, regret my own youthful lack of awareness in expressing more to him how much he meant to me, and in sharing more with him as to what he was about and the events of his life. We all, I do believe, take so much for granted about our fathers as unique and separate individuals from our own lives, and, our obvious youth as they then are aging puts that added vaguery between child and father even into our adult and older father relationship ages. It's only as I myself grow older since my father's passing on that I sometimes -- literally -- hang my head and pray that my father, now in Heaven, forgives me my awkward insensitivities as I grew.

Happy Father's Day to all, fathers, children, all of us, this human condition, these men, fathers, who are so important and so little told with what love and appreciation they are held and then recalled, missed and with what immense love they are.