TOUGH CROWD

Briefing the first graders in Ohio.

Cute.

Some children asked if there are rattlesnakes in Iraq. (Not rattlers, but yes, there are snakes.)

What about lizards, tigers, zebras or kangaroos? (No, but there are camels, donkeys and goats.)

When the first-graders asked about bombs and weapons, Grace said that with the exception of some mortar attacks, they were safe on base.

"The whole time we were there, they didn't drop bombs. The war was over by then," Grace said. "We were getting rid of all the nasties - collecting ammunition. Then we'd blow it up so it wouldn't hurt anybody."