It seems that the youth of America have become apathetic…anything goes, there are no consequences for any actions, your parents can’t discipline you, you teachers can’t discipline because their actions are monitored by the legal system, religion can’t be taught to you because it offends one percent of the population, everything you learn about life you learn from the internet, the television, the music industry, video games and magazines—our new parents, teachers, priests and rabbis. In these turbulent, horrific times, it’s no wonder that soldiers are turning to the faith they were taught, and in fact, is quite refreshing. Stephen Mansfield’s book shows us that soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan today are not gung-ho metalheads who want to act out a teenaged video game fantasy. They are good people who believe in what they are doing, who have faith in something bigger than themselves and who want to give back to their communities. This book shows you what terrible things these brave people go through in the name of democracy and freedom, including freedom of religion which we as Americans are supposed to have. They are rejecting the notion of emulating Paris Hilton for the notion of emulating what is truly important and meaningful in life. I went to Catholic school as a child and I was taught of the great sacrifices of the saints. While I do not believe in god today, I do believe in faith and respect, and I do support religious morals and values. I applaud Mansfield for writing this book to show that our soldiers are there to do good and that they do have faith. To be honest, before young Americans can criticize them, they need to take a long look at themselves and how important their Prada purses, Saturday football, Ipods, Hummers and plasma TVs really are—because someone in Iraq and Afghanistan died or will die so you could have it—just like someone died in Vietnam, Korea, WWII, WWI, the Civil War, the War of 1812, and the Revolution to give you what you have today. These soldiers are truly sacrificing for your enjoyment and complacency. Having faith is not a bad thing. I am agnostic by choice though I was raised Catholic, and I respect what prayer means to people who pray. In a terrible, depressing, disillusioning experience, instead of the worst coming out of these soldiers--the best is coming out of these soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan because they have faith in something higher than themselves, which ultimately gives them faith in themselves to give that much of themselves to want to build up these countries and help the people there while honoring their own country.