Here are some thoughts from U.S. Army soldiers here in Iraq that we're visiting with, who are helping out WWE with the arena set-up for the Tribute to the Troops show:

Spc. Brandon David Schmidt
Hanover, Pa.
I am a mechanic. I get vehicles ready for patrol, get them ready to go outside the wire. I repair them if they get hit while on a mission. We keep the guys moving and keep them safe.
I took a couple of days off to come out and volunteer and help the WWE set up the arena for the Tribute to the Troops show and it has been an amazing experience.  This is great and gives us a chance to have some fun!  Great to have a chance to enjoy ourselves. 
Only thing I am looking forward to more than this is finally going home. I can’t wait to see my wife and and one-year old daughter, I only got to see her for a month before I shipped out and it’s been real hard.  I can’t wait to get home to see how she is walking and talking and having fun! I would simply like to tell my family I love you to death and I can’t wait to get home!

Sgt. Michael Green 
St. Louis, Missouri
This is my fourth tour, two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. Best thing about being here, on this tour, is the Internet. I chat with my family and always read WWE.COM. I have been in Iraq a year today and I still have a month and a half left! But the WWE is here and it is going to make getting through the next month a heck of a lot easier.
I am a mechanic and gunner for our lead truck and our sgt. major ... We head out to outposts each and everyday to check on our soldiers out there.  We are his security.  But not this week! I am helping to set up the ring! I am the WWE’s biggest fan.  I watch Raw, SmackDown and ECW on Armed Forces Network every week!  I took a week off just for this detail! It’s a big experience because we are huge fans!
The WWE coming here is a homecoming for us, it makes us feel like we are closer to home! It means a lot because WWE is willing to risk a lot to come over here!  
I have to get a picture of John Cena!  My wife is in love with John Cena. She told me she would leave me for him, but I don’t know! I have bigger guns! I also like Jeff hardy, that dude is out of control!
I just want to tell my wife, my kids, my brother, I love you guys, Happy Holidays, I will see you in a month!

Spc. Carlos Matos Rodriquez
Puerto Rico
This is great stuff! What a great opportunity to see the WWE here. We appreciate all the effort everyone has put into this venture, coming all the way over here for us. I am glad WWE came to celebrate the holidays with us, the holidays are a rough time over here. We often feel alone and wwe makes us feel great!
This is my first holiday overseas and this is helping me get through it.
I am a hardcore fan and I couldn’t wait to help out and actually help build this arena! I want to be a part of this! I can’t wait to see Batista and Rey Mysterio!  Rey is a great inspiration to us all! 
I want to tell my wife and two daughters, who are 5 and 7, I love you!  A big shout out and I can’t wait to see you in March!  Keep praying for us. I am good and safe and I will be back soon!

Sgt. Jason Allen Clough
Georgia
I work for the Commanders’ Community Relief Program, we help rebuild Iraq. I am a huge WWE fan and that’s why I took time off to come down to the parking lot and help build this arena! I hope we make it look just like Monday Night Raw!  I can’t wait to meet the Superstars, especially Randy Orton! Randy Orton has come such a long way!
The favorite part of my day was helping to build the ring! It was awesome ... I got a chance to jump off the top rope! Thanks WWE for making one of my dreams come true!
I have a 9-month old daughter at home and I can’t wait to get back home to see her and hold her!  I will be home in February for her first birthday!  And my wife I can’t wait to be with again! I love you guys!  Happy Holidays and I will see you soon. Ditto to my mom and step dad!

Editor's Note: The preceeding was relayed from e-mail reports from the WWE's Tribute to the Troops mission. Names of the areas visited have been omitted at the request of the U.S. Army, so as not to divulge WWE's location in Iraq.

For complete coverage of Tribute to the Troops, visit the Tribute section on WWE.com. Also, Leave your holiday messages for the troops in the Forums on WWE Universe.