Grieving Texas

Southerners' disproportional representation in the armed forces reflects their culture of loyalty and honor. As James Webb proudly proclaimed in his book, Born Fighting: How the Scots-Irish Shaped America, we've always been there to take up arms, and the country couldn't have fought its wars without us. It's a proud tradition. But these days, as the unending war in Iraq grinds on, Southerners are feeling more than their share of the sacrifice, too.

Fort Hood, named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, is going through some wrenching times as the casualties mount in an alien land 7,000 miles from home. Those left behind are bravely trying to pick up the pieces and move on, but it's getting harder as the crushing toll continues with no end in sight:

The war is five years old, but in the town of Killeen, Texas, Iraq is not being forgotten.

While much of America has switched its focus to an election campaign, here there are constant reminders of the sacrifice made.

Killeen is home to America's largest military base, Fort Hood, and most of those who live here have ties with the US military. ...

Killeen has already lost more than 400 of its soldiers, leaving behind about 200 widows.

These brave dead are all Southern heroes, men who fulfilled General Hood's final orders at the Battle of Franklin: "Now, go down to the work to be done and go at it."