One had been killed, the other was being sent home. As he talked he began sobbing, then he apologized. I told him there was no need to apologize. Then I noticed my eyes watering. I said I'd call him back, but he said no, he wanted to talk now.
War is very personal.
But I debated whether it would be professional to make this conversation personal. Finally, I told him we had something in common. He wondered aloud what that could possibly be. There was a brief silence. My husband, Svein, then a Times reporter, covered military affairs.