US soldiers in Iraq mark Fourth of July

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Spc. Bobby Schoendorf, 22, from Wyckoff, N.J. is seen at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Baqouba, 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, July 4, 2008. 'We all want to be home and be with our families, " he said. "But I'd rather be doing this on the fourth so they can be at home enjoying the holiday.' (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) (Maya Alleruzzo - AP)

A U.S. army soldier attends a mass re-enlistment ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 4, 2008. 1215 service members re-enlisted Friday during an Independence Day ceremony at al-Faw palace at Camp Victory. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) (Marko Drobnjakovic - AP)

A U.S. army soldier pauses during a mass re-enlistment ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 4, 2008. 1215 service members re-enlisted Friday during an Independence Day ceremony at al-Faw palace at Camp Victory. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) (Marko Drobnjakovic - AP)

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, top right, re-enlists U.S. military service members during a mass re-enlistment ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 4, 2008. 1215 service members re-enlisted Friday during an Independence Day ceremony at al-Faw palace at Camp Victory. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) (Marko Drobnjakovic - AP)

U.S. military service members take an oath at a mass re-enlistment ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 4, 2008. 1215 service members re-enlisted Friday during an Independence Day ceremony at al-Faw palace at Camp Victory. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) (Marko Drobnjakovic - AP)

U.S. military service members attend a mass re-enlistment ceremony in Baghdad, Iraq, Friday, July 4, 2008. 1215 service members re-enlisted Friday during an Independence Day ceremony at al-Faw palace at Camp Victory. (AP Photo/Marko Drobnjakovic) (Marko Drobnjakovic - AP)

U.S. Army soldiers dine on a special Independence Day menu at the dining facility at Forward Operating Base Warhorse in Baqouba, 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq on Friday, July 4, 2008. Across Iraq, America's Independence Day is a normal work day for most U.S. troops. But the military throws in a taste of home at larger bases with corn on the cob, ribs and red, white and blue cakes. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo) (Maya Alleruzzo - AP)

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But the 29-year-old from Hawthorne, Calif., said that although he misses his family, the holiday still made him feel good.

"For me, on the Fourth of July, you remember there's people out there that think about you out here," said Covarrubias.

For others, the day was a reminder of their duty to their country.

At Camp Victory outside Baghdad, 1,215 troops from the Army, Marines and other services re-enlisted in a mass swearing-in ceremony led by top U.S. war commander Gen. David Petraeus. At least two husband-and-wife couples were among those signing up for another military stint.

Before an immense American flag hung in the rotunda of the palace headquarters of the U.S. military in Iraq, the troops saluted Petraeus, then sang "God Bless America."

Back at Warhorse, Sgt. Jacob Fultz, 22, of Gardner, Kan., was focused on the day's meaning.

"It's kind of like the fight's never over," said Sgt. Jacob Fultz, 22, from Gardner, Kan. "It started on July 4, 1776 and now it's 2008."

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Associated Press reporter Hamza Hendawi contributed to this report from Iskandariyah, Iraq.

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