March 2006

Table of Contents

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Features

Heartbreak High

If the war is an unpleasant abstraction in the rest of the country, it’s omnipresent at Killeen Shoemaker, where many of the children of the enlisted men and women of Fort Hood are enrolled—and pray for peace every single day.

Tomorrowland

As a captain in the 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, all I think about is the future of Iraq. Here’s what my world looks like.

Casualty Of War

A real-life G.I. Joe, Master Sergeant James Coons hardly seemed like a candidate for post-traumatic stress disorder. But when his demons got the best of him, there was nothing anyone could do—not that anyone really tried.

Would You Buy What This Man Is Selling?

With the military stretched thinner than ever, Staff Sergeant Christopher Schwope’s skill as an Army recruiter is undeniably important. And it’s a thing to behold.

The Believer

Like Cindy Sheehan, Gary Qualls lost a son in Iraq. Unlike her, he doesn’t oppose the war.

The Protesters

The weekend after Thanksgiving, demonstrators gathered in Crawford and made their feelings about the war quite clear.

Columns

Back Page

No Direction Home

After four years in Afghanistan and Iraq, I’m finally a civilian again. I thought that was what I wanted.

Behind the Lines

Duty Calls

How Rick and Melissa Noriega served their country—and their constituents.

Reporter

Reporter

War.com

Thousands of miles from my hometown of Castroville, I’m conducting incredibly dangerous house-to-house searches in Baghdad—and blogging about it when I get back to the base.

Previews+Reviews

Books

The best new books from Texas.

Previews+Reviews

Music

The best new music from Texas.

The Filter

Pat’s Pick

Bice

Pat’s Pick

Greens Goddess

Season’s Eatings— Timely treats for your culinary calendar.

Miscellaneous

Web Extra

The Unseen Enemy

Executive editor Skip Hollandsworth talks about Master Sergeant James Coons and the soldier’s battle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Texas Monthly Talks

Bush’s War

Will Iraq be the president’s legacy? A conversation with eminent historians H. W. Brands and Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Web Extra

Tough Times at Shoemaker High

Executive editor Mimi Swartz on talking to high schoolers in Killeen about losing a parent during wartime.

Web Extra

War Zone

Editorial director Christopher Keyes talks about this month’s special issue on the Iraq war.

Web Extra

Speaking Out

Senior editor Pamela Colloff on spending a day in Crawford and talking to war protesters.

Web Extra

Children Left Behind

Contributing photographer Peter Yang talks about Killeen, his first impression of Shoemaker High School, and the students who have lost a parent during wartime.

Web Extra

From the Field

Photographer Thomas Dworzak talks about going to Iraq, spending a typical day with Captain Jonathan Moss, and photographing war.

Happy Trails

Eastland is the perfect place for a day of leisurely sight-seeing and fact-finding.

Texas History 101

The Lipan Apaches were a strong presence in Texas—until the Comanches arrived.

Texas Tidbits

In Texas, springtime equals blue—and lots of it.

Recipe

Savory Rainbow Chard Tart

La Mora’s.