Sandi Austin served in Iraq as a sergeant with the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Samarra and Mosul. This is a photo of her birthday party in Mosul's City Hall in May 2004. She now lives in Monterey, Calif., with her newborn baby daughter. (Courtesy Sandi Austin)

Back Home: Reflections on Iraq

Sandi Austin served in Iraq as a sergeant with the 445th Civil Affairs Battalion, in Samarra and Mosul. This is a photo of her birthday party in Mosul's City Hall in May 2004. She now lives in Monterey, Calif., with her newborn baby daughter.

Credit: Courtesy Sandi Austin