"I think Jessica had no idea just how brutal it was going to get."

I think to say so is to denegrate her sacrifice. Let me put it this way: I think she had just about as much idea as ANY 19 year old boy about what she was getting into.

"As for my daughter, I'd much rather she honor her country by organizing a drive to raise money for cancer research, build homes for the needy, develop a cure for a disease. I would want her to be happy and be all that she can be."

Well, I think this is great. I don't wan't my [future] children in ANY war. However, our daughters have been told for a thousand years that food drives, social clubs and polite womanly ways are the only way to serve country or others. Jessica stands as an example that women have the right to bear arms in service of their ideals/country, just as men do.

I am a pacifist, but I also am a feminist (not in the 'post modern critical theory' sense, but the original sense). While I hate war and, I hate that women are told that they are not equal enough to die next to their fellow american in battle for ideals and country. Its wrong.

Davin