The following is the opening paragraph in Michael Yon’s email which links to his latest dispatch.

Been a long but productive year. Great progress in Iraq. The country has made a dramatic turnaround. But of course, there is still a long way to go, and sharper fighting in the months ahead before anyone should consider declaring this mission accomplished.

“One Step Forward” delves further into the return of troops to Great Britain and the reception of not only the citizens and the press, but their relationship with Lady Camilla. The surprise came in reading that Michael had a bit of one on one time with this member of the Royal Family:

So when the commander introduced me to Lady Camilla and we had our short and very public meeting before all those cameras, I told Lady Camilla that her handwritten letters to the soldiers were very important to them. That I could tell that they were cherished in a way that went beyond polite acknowledgment. In that brief exchange it was clear to this American with no sense of Royalty that her devotion to these soldiers also went beyond the expected call of duty.

Another great read and once more an opportunity to say thank you to all those who have sacrificed so we may live free and wish them only the best upon their return to their homelands.