For more than a year we have praised the brave efforts of our men and women in uniform who are fighting for freedom in Iraq.

But we cannot forget the civilians &045; contractors, paramedics, journalists &045; who are also risking their lives to perform their jobs and make a difference in the war-torn country.

The violence that has been growing in recent weeks around Fallujah and other areas of Iraq highlights the sacrifices these civilians have made.

Four American contractors were killed and then their bodies mutilated by an angry, bloodthirsty mob.

Mississippi native Thomas Hamill of Macon, a worker with Halliburton subsidiary Kellogg, Brown & Root was taken hostage last Friday; his fate is still unknown. The kidnappings &045; seemingly the terrorist tactic of the month &045; have affected not only coalition soldiers but also civilians.

Journalists have fallen victim in this war as well as they work to bring information to the American public as well as the world.

Our own Natchez resident Jonathan Lewis heads to Iraq this week to work as a paramedic, treating civilians and military personnel. Our prayers, especially as the violence has increased, go with him.

These men and women are simply trying to do their jobs, whether that means reporting a story, filming for a broadcast, rebuilding towns or treating the injured, among just a few of the tasks civilians from America and other countries are doing.

But &uot;just doing your job&uot; in a nation where the work toward freedom is disrupted by radical groups bent on destroying any chance at liberty requires a courage we should all admire &045; and begs for our prayers.