Right now one Rockford soldier is enjoying the comforts of home, at least for two more days. The son of a Rockford alderman, Lieutenant Andrew Mark believes in the value of service. Here's his perspective on the war in Iraq, from the ground.

The Mark family is soaking up as much time as they can with their oldest son and brother Andrew, before he returns to Iraq on Friday.
Andrew's youngest brother Matthew Mark says, "I got to go to a Cubs game with him, I thought that was pretty cool and it's awesome having him home."

Mark is serving in Baghdad with the airborne division of the U.S. Army. Among his most memorable experiences, working as assistant-for-a-day to General David Petraeus, landing him a spot on NBC News. But he says most rewarding has been interacting with the Iraqi people.
"Really learning about how they live and how we can improve their country at their level, instead of how some bureaucrat might see it in Washington," says Lt. Andy Mark.

And Mark says the Iraqis are welcoming to U.S. troops. He believes it's because they can see security improving. Mark says instances of violence, like IED explosions, are dropping quickly.
"Whereas a year ago we might have had 100 of those, today we might only have ten," says Lt. Mark.

As for dropping troop levels, Mark says he ignores the political debate over when we should pull out of Iraq.
"When you're on the ground, it's you and the soldiers next to you and all the politics goes out the window when you're talking about being safe, when you're talking about doing the job that needs to be done."

And safety is constantly on the minds of Andrew's parents, Sally and Rockford Alderman Doug Mark.
"You do think about it, we've had situations locally where families have lost loved ones and it just breaks your heart," says Ald. Mark.

But he and his wife are focusing on watching their son unpack his bags for good before long.
"It's been great having him here and we're ready to send him back off," says Sally Mark. "And we know in another five months he'll be home. So that's the most important thing," adds Ald. Mark.

Mark's been in Iraq since March and this is the only home visit he'll get during his tour of duty. Mark says he's been enjoying the simple things, spending time with family and friends, sleeping in a real bed with sheets and pillows and of course eating good food.

The Marks say they're not paying too much attention to the presidential candidates' rhetoric on Iraq. Alderman Mark believes their positions will firm up after the conventions. While Lt. Mark believes if Iraqi security forces continue to strengthen, U.S. troops can come home before long.