Jeremiah Workman:

David Bellavia, a fellow veteran of Fallujah, convinced me my story could help a lot of families who have fought the same battles Jess and I have since I came home in 2005. David, you are an outstanding friend, a true patriot, and I am in your debt. This book would have been stillborn but for your encouragement and guidance.

To Jim Hornfischer, my agent, you took me under your wing and guided me through this entire process. Being a neophyte in the publishing world can be frightening. Jim, you made it exciting and memorable. Your help, your counsel, and your friendship made this book happen.

Ryan—your team at Random House never wavered in its support for this project. Your editorial guidance has made this book stronger and more accessible. Thank you for your efforts. I knew right away that this was more than just another book for you, it was a mission. That sort of passion is all too rare these days.

Jim Hornfischer introduced me to John Bruning over the phone. Instant chemistry was the result, and I knew John and I would make a great team. Over the next fifteen months, though we never met face-to-face, John came to feel like a lifelong friend, not a writing partner. John, thank you for everything, and I can’t wait to come out to Oregon and hang with you and Sergeant Jacques and the rest of your crazy 2-162 brothers!

To my mother, who has stood by my side through thick and thin. Though I know I’ve let you down plenty of times, you know I will always love you and will never stop appreciating all the little things—and big ones, too—that you’ve done for me throughout my life.

I would not be the man I am today without my circle of friends. Cory Hixson, Eric, Heather, Lauren Pitzen, Lance Hoffman, Angela French, Neil Kenney, David Kneiss, Phil and Marilyn Napoli, David Yates, Tony and Rena—I love you guys. Always.

Last, but certainly far from least, I must thank my wife Jessica for finding the courage to stay with me. Throughout our lives, we’ve had a tempestuous relationship, but I know we will always be connected on a level most people will never experience in their lifetime. With you, I find peace. With you, I feel the power of our love every time you enter a room. It surges through me with such strength that I know I will never stop adoring you. Thank you for finding the grace to forgive, the love to share with me and our son, the passion that fuels our life together, and the devotion to see us through the bad times as well as the good. I love you.

John Bruning:

David Bellavia called me one night and told me I needed to write a book with Jeremiah Workman. I’d never heard of Jeremiah, but I trust David like I trust my own family. When Jeremiah and I talked a few days later, I realized that this collaboration was a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

I have seen the effects PTSD has had on my friends in the 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry since they returned home from Baghdad, Najaf, and Fallujah about the same time Jeremiah and the 3/5 did in 2005. My first experience came when I met Bill Stout, an NCO whose courage under fire helped save two men’s lives. Bill returned home and endured many of the things Jeremiah and I wrote about in this book.

The deeper my association grew with Iraq vets, the more I saw PTSD firsthand. Broken families, men struggling to break the circle their minds trapped them in—these were daily facts of life for soldiers I came to love while I lived side by side with them in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

When I came home from New Orleans, I spent a year in counseling dealing with my own anger and pain from what I’d seen happen to that American city. I was not diagnosed with PTSD, but I sure had some of its features. I missed the adrenaline rush, the sense of brotherhood, and the sense of purpose I had out there with the 2-162. All of that, plus seeing dead Americans lying rotting in the streets of one of our most beloved places, left me reeling for months.

So when Jeremiah decided he wanted to work with me, I knew I had to give him everything I had. His story serves as a clarion call for veterans across the country who are still hurting, still struggling to hold their families together and figure out how they can find their way back from the darkness, guilt, and rage PTSD injects in them.

Thank you, Jeremiah, for taking a chance on me. Words cannot express how much it has meant to be working with you. Not only do I count you as a valued and dear friend, but you stand tall as an example to everyone who’s ever been so far down there seems to be no redemption. You proved there is hope. In doing so, I pray that others in desperate straits read this book and see their own path to redemption in it. If that happens, I know we’ve done something truly meaningful here.

Shadow of the Sword never would have made it to print without enormous help from many friends. Jim Hornfischer is the best agent in the business, period. A true friend, a shoulder, and a man whose priorities are always in the right place, thank you for everything you’ve done for my family.

Ryan, you’ve set the new standard for editors everywhere. Your passion, your critical eye and sense of timing, plot, and tone took the raw manuscripts to levels we would otherwise never have reached. This is very much your book as well as ours. What a partnership; I mourn its passing.

David Bellavia, without you, I wouldn’t have had the chance to help write this book. You don’t call enough, you don’t write enough, but you are one of the closest friends I’ve ever had.

To Jenn, Ed, and Renee: I have spent many, many nights away from the warmth of your love to finish this book with Jeremiah. I’ve laid awake nights missing you all with an intensity that underscores just how much I love you. Your support made this happen, pure and simple. Renee, we’re going to go critter-hunting soon. Ed, I’m taking time off and we’ll throw a football all day long for a week if you want. Thank you for understanding that the only way I can help tell Jeremiah’s story is to closet myself away and live it until it’s finished.

Sherry Bruning, my sis, who endured, and conquered, her own battle with addiction consulted on parts of this book. Your steadfast courage continues to be an inspiration to me. Thank you.

I would not be half the writer I am without Donna Henderson. Donna, your inspired epiphanies have opened my eyes and have led to solutions, insight, and ultimately, understanding. Thank you for everything you’ve done for my family.

Pam Erland served as our consulting psychologist. Not only is Pam a gifted and empathetic human being, she is also one of the most intelligent human beings I’ve ever met. Her insight, knowledge, and blunt honesty made this book far better than it would have been without her. Thank you, Pam, you are the best.

Shawna Akin: You’ve kept me organized for eleven years. Without you, I’d be unable to function and totally at a loss to find anything. You deserve the best out of life, and I’ll stand with you and do everything I can to make sure that happens.

When I write, I focus on nothing else and live in my office. Human contact becomes something of a luxury. Amanda, Kali, Samantha, Chrys tal, Sarah, John, Kiki, Jesse, Emily, Jake, Alex, Art, Pat, Denice, Andy, and Brenda: Your friendships, your food, and our many conversations sustained me through lonely mornings and nights. Thank you for taking care of me.

Chrystal: You asked me recently if writing with Iraq veterans affects me emotionally. I hope now as you read this book you’ll see that I throw every ounce of passion I have into these words Jeremiah and I have crafted together. That is the only way to do justice to this generation of American warriors. And by the way, the dude from Gwen Stefani’s band was an utter fool.

My friends—hell, friends is too weak of a word here—who wear the uniform of the Oregon National Guard, I would not be here writing if not for you. Every day I see you all in action, I marvel that we have such remarkable human beings ready and willing to stand tall for their principles. Vinni Jacques, Easy, Pete, Kris P., Bill Edwards, Dan Hendrickson, Cory Jones, Brian Hambright, Aaron Cochran, Travis Allen, Adrian Wilson (even if you did chip my tooth!), Chris Johnson, Tommy Houston, Tim Bloom, Eric Riley, Wyatt Welch, Mike Warrington, Mike Kirkpatrick, Chris Reese, Demian San Miguel, Scott Hildebrandt, Shannon Compton, Ed Tanguey, Bill Stout, Kyle Akers, Ken Leisten, Sr., Scott and Terry McCrae—and every one else from 2-162: Y’all are my extended family. I love you like brothers. And Specialist Moore: If they gave awards for pure heart and honest, transparent patriotism, you’d receive the Medal of Honor.

Lastly, I need to thank a very special group of Americans, whose love of our country goes far beyond just planting a Support Our Troops magnet on the backs of their SUV’s. The 973rd Civilians on the Battlefield have not only been a sounding board for me and this book, but they have thrown their heart and soul into helping our local infantrymen prepare for close-quarters combat in their coming deployment. Mark Farley, Bethany Jones, Aaron Allen, John Walch, Spencer, Taylor, Gaelen, Andrew Bowder, Joe Mikkleson, Kyle Taylor, Shaun Phillips, Spencer Holman, David Akin, Kevin Keirwin, Joey Fugate, and Ben, and everyone else: You guys are the best and the pride I have for all you’ve accomplished will last a lifetime. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me and my writing, but most of all, thank you for all that you’ve done for our troops and our country. Please visit http://973cob.org for details on these extraordinary Americans.