Camp Doha, Kuwait ? Editor’s note: Maj. Bruce Archambault Jr. is an Army intelligence officer based in Kuwait. The father of Kansas University sophomore Stacey Archambault, he wrote this first-person account of the war against Iraq.

When I compare this to my experience in Desert Storm 12 years ago, several differences come to mind. First is the sense of visible patriotism throughout the units. It seems like every other vehicle radio antenna has a large American flag flying proudly. Three large fuel tankers passed me on an MSR (main supply route) yesterday and all three had a huge American flag flying proudly from the same position on each vehicle. It was moving to say the least.

There’s a 9-foot-by-15-foot American flag hanging in the huge tent where I work each day. Even our uniforms have the American flag on our right shoulder in bright colors outlined with a bright yellow border. I never saw an American flag on an antenna during Desert Storm until after the war.

There is a considerable increase in the amount of Reserve and National Guard soldiers augmenting our active forces this trip to the Gulf. I’ve never seen so many different unit patches as I stand in the chow line each day as I have here. The OPTEMPO (the operational tempo, or pace of operations) created by the war on terrorism has created a dependence on the special skills and experience that our reserve forces bring to the table.

Dinner tonight reminded me of the “last supper,” lobster tail and T-bone steak. For the old veterans out there reading this, I am proud to say there is still no rank in the chow line. I’ve stood and sat next to three-star generals and privates since I’ve been here.

I was up near the DMZ (demilitarized zone) only a few miles from the Iraq border two days ago visiting a MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) Artillery Battalion. I took many digital photos of the soldiers, who then gave me their wives’ and loved ones’ e-mail addresses to send their photos to. As mail has been extremely slow for them, it became my priority to send the photos of the soldiers to their families.

This morning I was inundated with e-mails. One woman was so grateful she said she was putting me on her church’s prayer list for the duration of the war. It really moved me to read the numerous e-mails of thanks. Without exception almost all the mails ended with “God Bless America.”

I’d be remiss not to talk about the sandstorms here. First thing this morning the winds started blowing, and within a half-hour visibility was down to 500 meters. Today’s sandstorm lasted all day.

Last Thursday, I was serving as an armed escort and driver while on my way to Kuwait City Airport to pick up some soldiers who were flying in from Afghanistan. In 10 minutes’ time a sandstorm kicked up fast and hard. Vehicles were pulled over to the side of the road with flashers on. Visibility was 25 meters, tops. Inside the airport the thick dust in the air had set off all the fire alarms in the building and created a surreal environment.

Because of a recent ambush and murder of one of our contractors here at Camp Doha, we are required to travel in groups of two vehicles, with armed guards in every vehicle. There are dangerous intersections on the highway that have reported sniper activity. We wear our body armor, which consists of our Kevlar helmet and flak vest, whenever we travel. Our protective gas mask is always on our side and our chemical suits are an arm’s reach away.

I’ve noticed the positive attitudes of the soldiers I talk with every day. We are here with a purpose, which is indelibly etched in all our minds. The attacks on the homeland on Sept. 11 planted a firm sense of purpose and urgency in all of our minds.

We have no doubt that we are here defending America’s four freedoms as was outlined by Franklin Roosevelt’s message to Congress in 1941. He said, “We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression … everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way … everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want … everywhere in the world. The fourth (and one that hits home to all Americans today) is freedom from fear … anywhere in the world.”

This past summer I visited ground zero and the Statue of Liberty with my wife and two of our four children. I stood on a makeshift scaffold overlooking the remains of the Twin Towers, and when the magnitude of what I was seeing sunk in, I was rocked backwards on my heels. It was the most sobering moment of my life.

My present duty station at Aberdeen Proving Ground has me at the Pentagon on a regular basis and although the exterior façade is already repaired, the memorials of 9-11 inside located near the Chapel are a stark reminder that freedom is not free. I’ve been around this awesome world at least twice, and I believe most Americans have no idea of the treasure we have that is called America.

Now it’s my turn …

God Bless America.