The reality and humanity of the war in Iraq came home when the mayor of his hometown of Duquesne recognized Pfc. Bandy Pease.

After serving seven months in Iraq, Pease was wounded in combat Sept. 19 when the Humvee he was riding in rolled over an explosive device.

With shrapnel in his lip and leg, three feet of packing in his side and a bandage on the left side of his face, Pease accepted a plaque of appreciation at a reception held in his honor Oct. 13 at Duquesne City Hall.

“It is an experience very few soldiers have been through now,” Pease said. “It’s not as common as in other wars.”

Pease has a doctor appointment Oct. 18, and may be granted another two weeks medical leave.

“He is a hero in our eyes,” said Rick Sweet, Duquesne mayor. “We felt the city should do something to recognize him.”

The mayor’s father, Lt. Col. Dale Sweet, U.S. Army, retired, attended the reception to show his support.

“I thought it would add a little bit to the boy to have a couple of leading caps there,” Dale Sweet said. “He seemed to appreciate us, I know we appreciate him.”

“We can’t give our troops too much moral support,” said Staff Sgt. Ken LaNear, U.S. Army, retired. LaNear attended the event with Lt. Col. Sweet.

Pease was traveling in a convoy of three Humvees when the incident occurred. It is unusual for them to hit the last vehicle. It is usually the first that gets hit, he said.

Five soldiers were in the vehicle when it was hit, one other soldier was injured.

Pease emphasized the importance of care packages and letters to the deployed troops.

“Those little packages mean a lot,” he said. “When you’re out in the field, thinking of home eases your mind a lot; it allows your mind to take a break from the job.”

More than items, Pease said it is the letters of appreciation that mean the most to the troops. A package of letters from a third grade class brought a rare light-hearted joy to the servicemen, he said.

“It really makes a difference in what goes on over there, it raises morale to know the people back home appreciate us and the cause is worthwhile,” he said.

Pease said he was fortunate to receive something on a weekly basis.

It took five months for the troops to clear the area.

“Nothing worth doing happens overnight,” he said. “Slowly we’d see little kids in Nike hats and ‘Just do it’ T-shirts and tennis shoes giving the thumbs up, smiling, saying ‘Americans.'”