ASV karavīra 2 dzīves gadi23

July 24, 2008. 2:12 p.m. Ian shows his frustration during a counseling session with Sgt. 1st Class Weisensel, left, and Sgt. Donoso. In addition to admitting his drug use, Ian returned late from the weekend again and lied about his reasons, putting him at severe risk of getting kicked out of the Army.

July 24, 2008. 3:54 p.m. Ian says of his platoon sergeant: “He doesn’t understand. I just want to go home‚ talk to my dad and be with Kirsten.

Aug. 2, 2008. 12:24 a.m. During a party at Ian’s friend’s apartment, Ian’s frustrations surface. Ian and Kirsten had just broken up the night before, and he was confident he would soon be kicked out of the Army. “I think one of my biggest problems is I still feel like just a number, Ian says. “That’s one thing I’ve always thought of myself as: just a number in the Army. That’s all I ever was. Later, Ian and Kirsten discuss their troubles outside.

Aug. 15, 2008. 12:15 p.m. Ian stands with his new platoon. He has just a couple of weeks to get integrated with the group before leaving for Iraq. Ian is so happy to be out from the 3rd Platoon, he doesn’t mind the extra work he’s doing as punishment. “Whatever they tell me to do … it’s worth it, he says.

Sept. 1, 2008. 1:48 a.m. “Buddha, left, Ian and Cody Thulin, right, of Littleton embrace as they say their goodbyes. “I’m gonna fight for you guys every day, Ian says. “I’ll pray as much as I can I’ll pray every second that I can get, Cody adds.

Sept. 1, 2008. 3:36 p.m. Ian and his dad share some time at the PX at Fort Carson. “Basically I said two things to him, Eric Fisher says. “No. 1‚ I said, ‘I want you to be careful all the time and trust your instincts.’ No. 2, I said‚ ‘If you’re going down, give ’em hell. Fire till your last breath.’ At that point he squeezed me‚ like‚ ‘I understand,’ you know. And we didn’t say anything else.

Sept. 3, 2008. Noon. When it is announced that their flight has been delayed, the troops take to the bleachers and most of them take to sleeping.

Sept. 3, 2008. 12:55 p.m. Ian makes his way to the plane and, ultimately, Iraq, as the troops depart for their year-long deployment. Ian calls his mom that night. The next morning, she says: “When I spoke with Ian last night, he sounded excited and happy to be finally doing something. It lifted my heart.