(Tina Franklin is the mother of SPC Mike Franklin, who was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in 2005.)

I am not a writer. I'm just a mother with a broken heart. And while I prefer not to talk about politics -- I leave that to those we voted into office -- I do believe very strongly that our soldiers need to be in Iraq. A lot of good is being done there.

Recently, I returned from another trip to Washington, D.C. I stopped at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where I was eager to speak with the soldiers who wanted to see me. I want to be there for others who are hurting. I know that, if he could, Mike would say, "Mom, take care of my buddies."

I will do my best.

On this trip, I saw several who were wounded in Ramadi. It was difficult for me, knowing that was where Mike was killed, but so many soldiers told me they were thankful that somebody cares.

I also went to the therapy area at Walter Reed. So many of our wounded soldiers are amputees who are now working with their new legs and arms. These soldiers are the most determined people I have ever seen.

What struck me is that they have such great attitudes and they all say they would go back in a minute if they could.

On the day Mike was killed in Ramadi, Sgt. Andy Bosser of Wisconsin also lost his life, as did two Iraqi soldiers. Mike's other sergeant, Brian Currier, was critically wounded.

I went to Walter Reed to meet with Brian. He was in bad shape and, at first, I was shocked by what I saw. Sgt. Currier has since gotten better and has returned home

Mike joined the Army in August 2003. He did very well in basic training; it was a perfect fit for him. He followed in the footsteps of three uncles: Tim Martin, Terry Martin and Mike Martin.

He left for Korea in January 2004 with the 2nd engineers. When word came that the 44th ENG were deploying for Iraq, Mike stepped up and agreed to go in place of others.

He came home that June for a going away party at Mitchell Park. We put him on a plane in Elmira, N.Y., for his trip back to Camp Casey in Korea for his imminent deployment to Iraq. Little did I know this would be the last time we would see him.

Mike always was first one to volunteer for the most dangerous missions. He loved people; he would strike up a conversation with anyone. Everyone in his unit thought of him as their little brother. Over and over, I am told how Mike is missed by many of his peers and fellow soldiers.

This past Monday, Mike would have been 25 years old. This would have been a big year for us, since later this month I will turn 50. So, I will continue to go to Washington. I will continue to talk to every soldier I can.

The next time you want to speak your mind, thank a soldier. He or she has given you the right to live in a free country.