EVER WONDER WHAT IT IS LIKE ON PATROL IN BAGHDAD?

Read this detailed story about an evening on patrol

The patrol is winding down when Neuzil tells Adams to stop. He’s spotted a nice new car, without license plates, parked in a neighborhood that’s not so nice.

The Humvees stop, the soldiers get out and the residents looking down from a third-story balcony start a conversation with George.

Soon, all the men of the household — as well as those from neighboring homes — are gathered around the soldiers downstairs. One of them starts up the car, offers an explanation and the soldiers are satisfied.

But before the soldiers can leave, the residents start to tell them about a drive-by shooting a few nights earlier.

Someone driving a car — loosely matching the description of someone soldiers had heard of causing problems before — had gone by with guns blazing. The residents produce a child, who they say was hit in the head, and was lucky to survive. His mother was shot in the shoulder, the translator says.

The soldiers ask for a description. The residents can provide only scant information. Neuzil, seeing that he’s not going to get any details that will help catch anyone, obviously wants to get going again. But he stays a few more minutes to hear them out.