TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIF. -- Salutes, softball and a brass band -- the 1/24th Marine Reserves are back in America.

 WASHINGTON - A historic veto showdown assured, Democratic leaders agreed Monday on legislation that requires the first U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by Oct. 1 with a goal of a complete pullout six months later.

RALEIGH, N.C. - Marine Gunnery Sgt. Bill Rosborough recalls with excruciating clarity when a water truck smashed into the building where he was preparing an Iraqi Army payroll.

WASHINGTON - Troops will get extra days off — rather than "buckets full of gold" — for being sent to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan more frequently, the Pentagon says.

CAMP FALLUJAH, Iraq -- Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway and Sgt. Maj. of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada visited the approximately 30,000 Marines, sailors and soldiers throughout Anbar Province April 5 through 8, to address concerns ranging from support of the U.S. people to the new tattoo policy.

CAMP BAHARIA, Iraq - In charter busses aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., Marines wordlessly watch their loved ones dissolve into the distance as their transport drives them from the comfortable life they knew closer to their destination: Camp Fallujah, Iraq.

DEFIANCE -- Since the hostilities began in Iraq, more than 24,000 servicemen and servicewomen have been wounded in the fighting.  This weekend, one of those wounded Marines came home to a welcome from his entire hometown, and a special proclamation from the mayor.

LONDON - A U.S. Marine appeared before Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace March 21 to receive the United Kingdom's Distinguished Flying Cross for saving lives and in recognition for his bravery during combat operations in Iraq.
Marine Maj. William D. Chesarek Jr., is the first U.S. servicemember to be so honored since World War II.

DEFIANCE — As blood pumped out of severed arteries in his right leg and arm, Lance Cpl. Evan Miller said his prayers and prepared to die at age 21 on a rooftop in Fallujah, where moments earlier he had been manning an observation post with a fellow Marine.