Within minutes, Brucker had the vehicle operational and was able to drive himself and his friend to safety. His efforts not only saved his own life, but also that of his wounded buddy.

But Pfc. Brucker didn't consider himself a hero for his actions—just a soldier. Because as far as Jesse Brucker is concerned, that's the way everyday life is for a U.S. Army soldier fighting in Iraq.

It was that life that Brucker shared with the members of the Los Gatos­Saratoga chapter of Soroptimist International at their Oct. 28 meeting at the Los Gatos Lodge. And Brucker, the grandson of Soroptimist member Marilyn White, proudly shared his stories, while home for a three-week leave.

Jesse Brucker's parents, Tom and Candy Brucker, grew up in Saratoga and only recently moved to Acampo, Calif., where they own a horse ranch. Brucker, now 27, was working as a mechanic two years ago when, in the aftermath of 9-11, he decided to enlist in the Army. After basic training, he was sent to Fort Drum in New York.

"One week after arriving at Fort Drum, I was told I was being sent to Iraq," he remembers. Two weeks later, he was deployed with the 10th Mountain Division to al-Iskandariyah, south of Baghdad.

Brucker explains that as an infantry unit, one of the main duties of the 10th Mountain Division is to "actively seek out the enemy, and engage them at all times." He says that for the first six months, his unit mostly supported the local community by helping to improve the sewage system, schools and the police department.

"We were distributing books, supplies, building materials, and even money," he says. He says the American troops worked alongside forces from Britain, Poland, Japan and Australia.

During that time, they saw a lot of roadside bombings. When one Soroptimist member inquired as to the validity of media reports on shortages of supplies and armor for troops, Brucker explained that as a unit that engages the enemy most often, his division was in top priority to receive supplies, so they didn't want for much. However, he said the one supply they did lack for his first six months was armor for their vehicles. He said when he first arrived, his transportation was basically a Jeep with no doors. In an effort to protect themselves, the members of his unit bought steel from the locals and attempted to fashion their own doors.

"We were making armor out of any metal we could find to put on our cars, melting it down until armor arrived. But every time we were attacked, a bullet would hit the [makeshift] door, and it would fall off." He says that after the first six months, armor kits began arriving from U.S. companies.

Brucker says that environmental conditions could also be harsh. Some days, the temperature would reach 135 degrees, and soldiers would still have to wear all of their gear—thick fatigues, heavy armor protection, bulletproof vests, a helmet and more, weighing approximately 75 pounds. Brucker says he often had to strap as many as 700 rounds of ammunition to his body as well. This led many of the soldiers to have to drink as much as 3 1/2 gallons of water a day, and yet still Brucker had to be treated by medics for dehydration. In addition, for the first month—before they had their camp set up—their only way to clean themselves was by using Baby Wipes ... "lots of Baby Wipes," he says. And without bathroom facilities, "the soldiers had to burn up their waste," Marilyn White remembers her grandson telling her.

When summer came, problems arose in al-Fallujah, so Brucker's unit was moved to an old British base on the west side.

"We ran operations, such as seizing weapons and arresting people," he says. They captured insurgents from many countries, including Syrians, Saudis, Afghans and more, and he says he suspects that anti-Americans from surrounding countries were traveling to Iraq just to fight the U.S. troops. He explained that troops were attacked by many different levels of insurgents. With some, it was obvious they were ex-military or al-Qaida operatives—their attacks were professional and strategic. With others, tactics were more guerilla-like.

Brucker says that, for the most part, injuries and casualties in his unit were minimal, considering the hostile environment. However, he recalls three bloody days that saw casualties from mortar attacks. His unit was camped in a tent city, and they were attacked one day at lunchtime. Their tents were full of ammunition, so when the mortar rounds hit, it set off secondary explosions, and "they all went up in flames," he says. They lost two men, but the rest made it out in time. They tracked where the attack came from and went after the insurgents, but Brucker suspects there were multiple groups working together, because they were attacked again the next two days in a row. They lost four more men in the following two attacks.

When a Soroptimist member asked how the American troops were received in Iraq, Brucker said it depended on their location. For example, he said in al-Fallujah, the citizens tended to be wealthier, with more extravagant homes and better jobs. Therefore, the people there tended to resent the American invasion and occupation more, and their resentment was more radical and religious. However, in the poorer areas such as al-Iskandariyah and Baghdad, the citizens disliked Saddam Hussein and were grateful for the Americans' help.

"[Saddam] put [the insurgents] in power. He gave them better jobs," Brucker said.

Brucker was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for "exceptionally meritorious service during Operation Iraqi Freedom" and for "being hit by an explosive device, administering aid to a soldier who was hit by a blast, decisive action to evacuate two casualties, courage under fire, holding his fire and diffusing a dangerous situation."

An Army representative told Brucker's family, "Pfc. Brucker's actions were exemplary for maintaining calmness and situational awareness, and without hesitation entering houses, clearing them out and rooting out the anti-coalition forces." In addition, Brucker learned as much of the Iraqi language as he could in order to communicate with the citizens of Iraq.

Some Soroptomist members inquired as to Brucker's personal opinions. One man asked about his feelings on the ethics of the war.

"My views are that this is probably something we should have taken care of 10 years ago, when [we] were in Kuwait. We really stirred up a hornet's nest over there," he said. "[Iraq] is in economic ruins, and we're helping to rebuild it. If we were to leave now, I think it would be very unfortunate."

Another member asked whether Brucker thought the Iraqis would ever be able to govern themselves efficiently.

"We are training [the Iraqi police] as best we can, but you can't get the training you need in such a short amount of time," he said. "In the beginning, they were attacked every night. Right now, we're their crutch. I think it will be a while before they're able to stand on their own."

Finally, as the forum came to an end, one final question was asked—a question that seems to prey on the minds of millions around the world.

"Why are we there?"

After a few seconds, Brucker replied, "Honestly, I don't know." He gave different ideas, explaining that he suspected many of the reasons were political, but that many of them were economic as well, such as the fights over oil.

"As for weapons of mass destruction, I haven't seen any. But I have heard rumors and stories about them," he said.

After that reply, the mood got lighter, and Heather Dunham, president of the Los Gatos­Saratoga chapter of Soroptimist, presented Brucker with gifts and flowers to welcome him home for his three-week leave. Brucker took a moment to thank the members of Soroptimist and their families and friends for sending him so many letters and care packages.

"So many people sent us stuff, sometimes we had too much. When we had extras, we passed them out to kids and incoming forces. The support was great," he remembers. "Politics are one thing, but support of troops has been great. Receiving things from home, it got us through each day."

Brucker says the only entertainment and escape many of the troops get is to read paperback books and watch DVDs. Brucker explained that cheap DVD players are "hot on the market" in Iraq, so many of the soldiers had one, and they loved getting packages from home with DVDs to watch. They also loved receiving goodies like candy.

Brucker says he plans to finish out his four-year commitment with the Army, and then hopefully return home and begin the next chapter in his life. However, he still has two years to go, and those remaining two years began on Oct. 30 when he boarded a plane to return to Fort Drum, where he is due for more training. His family hopes he will not have to be sent back to Iraq.

"Currently my unit is scheduled for another year of training. We're not scheduled for any deployments for another year," he said before he left, although he knows that sometimes things happen, regardless of plans and schedules.

"He's been gone for a year and a half," White says. "It's really hit our family. He has had a lot of narrow escapes."

White says the family is comforted by how often Brucker is able to send emails home to tell them of how he is doing. She remembers when her husband, Charlie, fought in World War II, and she would go months without receiving a handwritten letter from him, their only form of communication.

"It's a different war now," she says.

White says that the family is concerned about the draft returning, which could possibly claim six of their other grandsons, now in college. However, Brucker says he doesn't see that happening.

"There are people over there right now that shouldn't be over there," he says, explaining that not everyone is built for service or for combat, and that the Army recognizes that. He says that from what he has seen and has been told, the Army has enough qualified, volunteer manpower that they do not need to draft additional civilians who may not have what it takes to serve.

A few days after Brucker arrived at Fort Drum on Oct. 30, his family received word that he had been promoted to the rank of specialist. Also, he and three other soldiers were selected to put on their dress uniforms during ceremonies to honor the U.S. Army at the New York Giants' NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Nov. 7.

"I must really be doing something right, because they keep giving me great things to do," Brucker said in an excited phone call to his mother to tell her the good news.

In the meantime, Brucker's family and friends hope the news from him will continue to be good, and they will keep him in their prayers until he is allowed to safely return home.

"Jesse is something of a hero," says White.

Those who wish to write letters can send them to Spc. Brucker, Jesse, 10214 N. Riva Ridge Loop, Fort Drum, NY 13602. For more information on Soroptimist, visit www.soroptimist.org. For the local chapter, go to District II, and go to Los Gatos­Saratoga.