War Dangers Don't Deter U.S. Workers

Michael Doerschuk, 31, a machine operator at a steel manufacturing plant, brought his wife and two young sons along from their hometown of Electra, about 25 miles away.

Doerschuk said he came only for information. He wasn't sure he would go. "This is the only problem," he said, pointing to his sons.

Leaving his wife and boys outside when the meeting started, he joined the line of applicants turning in résumés to a recruiter who separated the paperwork by job.

Fork lift operator. Food Service. Fuel. Labor foreman. Firefighter. HVAC mechanic. Each man and a few women called out their preferred position as they walked in.

Outside, Doerschuk's wife, JoAnn, smoked and paced. "I wish I didn't have kids right now," she said, "because I'd go."

After Ward finished outlining what life would be like in Iraq, he told the group that if someone's name was called, that person could be offered a job on the spot.

Doerschuk heard his name and stood up.

He paced while waiting to talk to a recruiter. "I'm tired of living paycheck to paycheck," he said. "I could do this a year and be debt-free." As he talked, he grew more excited. He could finally finish school and work in computers. Heck, he could open his own computer shop.

But then there were his boys. He had promised himself after working night shifts and not being around for his first son that he wouldn't do that again. He loved when the youngest fell asleep on his chest.

Offer in hand, he went out to tell his wife.

"You have to do it," she told him.