Before we get started, you should know that this podcast contains graphic depictions of war.

And we're talking to Marines, so there's a lot of cursing.

Previously on Taking Cover.

Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.

In the Battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.

We thought we were moving in for like security and stability, you know, when the hearts and minds of the people.

And it seemed like that was just not something the locals in Fallujah were interested in.

I mean, it started as a normal day.

Everybody wakes up, we're smoking and joking.

Where they were putting those tires up was the same house that shot the rocket every that morning.

Who wanted that house gone?

And then, I mean, yeah, right after that, this went everything went down.

Dawn and Dusk are the worst times of day for any combat unit.

The most uncertain, the most dangerous.

Since people began fighting and killing each other, which is to say, since forever.

When the light is leased, is when you have to be most on guard for an attack.

For the Marines, this state of heightened awareness, it's called Stand Two.

That's when they pull on their armored vests and helmets, end their conversations and go to their combat posts.

Especially if they're hunkered down in a defensive position, hearted to a one-sided ceasefire in a place like this.

A little schoolhouse in Fallujah, Iraq that's at the heart of our mystery.

I'm Graham Smith.

And I'm Tom Bowman. This is Taking Cover from NPR.

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