ALBU HAWA, Iraq - The language differences between Arabic and English often impede Marines when they try and interact with the Iraqi people. Interpreters who speak both languages are often in short supply, leaving Marines with no way of holding a proper conversation.

Dear Families and Friends of RCT-6,

WASHINGTON - The system for delivering badly needed gear to Marines in Iraq has failed to meet many urgent requests for equipment from troops in the field, according to an internal document obtained by The Associated Press.

CAMP HABBANIYAH, Iraq - A Zachary, La., native Marine was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat distinguishing device for valor in a ceremony here May 21.

FALLUJAH, Iraq - An ominous silence swallows the streets of Fallujah once the sun sets. The city is dead asleep, most lights are off, and residents are inside their homes. Marines from 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, however, are out on the streets knocking on doors and collecting census information from the locals.

FALLUJAH, Iraq - Marines and corpsmen huddle around a TV watching the 2006 film "Blood Diamond," one of the few DVDs they have on hand at Observation Post Burgess. Marines not engaged by the movie are either catching up on sleep, writing letters home or, more importantly, manning one of the many required duties within and around the observation post.

FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Few people get to see into the world of the reconnaissance Marines. The recon community is a close-knit, and sometimes very private, world of professionals with special skills in gathering information and operating on the battlefield.

CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq – Situated in the confines of charter busses aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Marines, separated by mere inches of glass from their loved ones, wordlessly watch them dissolve into the distance as their transport drives them from comfort and closer to their inevitable destination: Fallujah, Iraq.

Radical Shiite politicians pressed yesterday for legislation demanding a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S.-led troops and a freeze on the number of foreign forces already in the country - even as the U.S. Congress debates the fate of the troubled mission.