Army Maj. David Carstens, with Task Force 202 Military Intelligence, writes a letter to his family in Augusta, Ga., while deployed to the U.S. operating base at Kandahar International Airport, Afghanistan, on New Year’s Day. (Rob Curtis, Times staff)

Dear Miki and Mom,

You are foremost on my mind. We are all working tirelessly to complete our mission and get home safely. You would truly be proud of the young men and women who serve with me. They are the best our society has to offer. Intelligent, motivated and unified in spirit … there is no one with whom I’d rather serve in combat.

Thank you for your sacrifices. Thank you for understanding my time spent away from home. Thank you for being my rock and my shelter when all else seems to fail. I love and miss you both.

Thinking of you constantly,
Dave