Coming Home: A special report on 'Triple Deuce' soldiers and their familiesOver several months in 2008, Stars and Stripes reporters and photographers traveled to Iraq, Kuwait and Fort Drum, N.Y., chronicling the lives of the “Triple Deuce” — the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division — both soldiers and their families. • This week's stories:‘Gotta pack up ...and truck on’When home is as scary as warThe Holmeses: Changes at homeThe Bartells: Hardship and heartache • Series overview

Walter Reed sees more cases of brain trauma, psychological disordersDoctors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center are treating fewer torso and limb injuries in troops returning from com-bat but more brain trauma and psychological disorders, a top Pentagon health official said. • Story

Less violence means U.S. troops can step back from combat roleBecause of the current noncombat nature of the war around Patrol Base Dolby, U.S. Army officers and senior noncommissioned officers now sip sugary tea with sheiks and strengthen relationships with Iraqi army leaders during frequent visits in the rural area southeast of Baghdad. • Story and photo gallery

Stock-savvy troops say they are waiting for Dow to hit bottomPeople planning to retire in 10 or more years should seriously consider investing in the stock market now, says Jim McDaniel, an accredited financial counselor working at Yokota Air Base’s Airman and Family Readiness Center. • Story • Related story: Port calls can offer valuable opportunity for Japanese economy

Taking a new look at the gay banCongress’ leading opponent of the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy has reintroduced legislation to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the armed forces. • Story

Left empty-handedIf you have DeCA gift certificates, you may have to think twice before attempting to use them to shop at your local commissary. The Ohio-based company that issued the popular gift certificates abruptly went out of business last week. • Story• Follow-up: AAFES to honor CertifiChecks gift cards

For the drill of itNine JROTC drill teams from Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom came to Wiesbaden, Germany, to test their skills in the 2009 Department of Defense De-pendents Schools Europe drill team competition. • Story•Photo gallery

Spouse CallsA weekly column in Stripes' Scene magazine by Terri Barnes, a military wife and mother of three who lives and writes in Germany. • This week's column • Terri Barnes' blog

About the U.S. editionFor the first time since the Civil War, Stars and Stripes is returning stateside. The U.S. edition, available to local newspapers as a supplement, features some of the best content from the week’s daily overseas editions ... the top military stories from several news bureaus within Stars and Stripes’ three theaters — Europe, Pacific and Middle East — as well as coverage of military issues from the Pentagon and Capitol Hill.

Are you interested in advertising in the U.S. edition of Stars and Stripes, or seeing it your local newspaper? Contact Dan Krause at kraused@stripes.osd.mil, or call him at 202-761-0910.

SEE THE U.S. EDITION IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA

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