A Letter from Iraq: Staff Sergeant John Essman

As New Hampshire prepares for the holidays this weekend, many families across the state have loved ones who won't be home for Christmas.

They're in Iraq.

Most of them are with the 36-43rd Company of The New Hampshire National Guard.

Each week, NHPR's Mark Bevis has been checking in with members of the Company to see how they're faring.

John Essman is a Company Staff Sergeant.