Capturing terrorists. Seizing weapons. Providing protection. Earning trust.

It was all in a day&8217;s work for members of the 155th National Guard Infantry, who spent a year in Iraq, in some of the most dangerous areas of the country.

With thousands of guard soldiers from across the state and more than 40 from the Natchez area, the 155th performed tasks amid dangers we can only imagine.

They secured polling places so that Iraqis could vote in their first free elections, scouted for weapons and suspected terrorists and guarded reconstruction projects.

Throughout the long months of the war in Iraq, we have all heard story after story of death and destruction. No one can underestimate the horrors of war &8212; especially those of us who have never experienced it.

But the members of the 155th, and their fellow soldiers who have served and continue to serve in Iraq, are doing work to bring freedom to a nation which lived under tyranny for decades.

Their jobs, whether as simple as handing out candy to children or as difficult and dangerous as seizing explosives, may not garner the biggest headlines, but they have been an integral part of this war and the struggle for democracy.

We&8217;re proud of our soldiers, and we&8217;re proud to have them home again.