Running In Baghdad And Loving It

Marine Capt. Giles Clarke (godson of a couple with whom I go to church) reflects in the Washington Post on how it felt to run a half marathon in Baghdad:

This is my third deployment to Iraq. Before that morning, I realized, I never would have believed I would see the day when over 200 service members would line up in nothing more than workout clothing and running shoes. There were no weapons, gas masks, flak jackets or ammunition among us. The hardiest defensive gear we runners carried was our mandatory reflective belts.

His moving comments about what brave Americans and Iraqs have won and lost since 2003 aren't to be missed.