Elycia was in the midst of getting a compassionate transfer from Ft. Benning in Georgia, to Fort Carson in Colorado, her mother's home state. But a war got in the way.
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"We were going to start the paperwork to get her transferred, but then her orders came," said Andrea.
Elycia's battalion went to Kuwait in January with the 3rd Division and was part of the first wave of American troops to enter Iraq in March.
Now she's stationed in Fallujah, where American soldiers have been killed and wounded by Iraqi gunmen.
Andrea's been given a six month survival prediction. Elycia put in for a compassionate transfer, but was refused.
Don't worry, this one's going to be taken care of; Ben Nighthorse Campbells involved; Andrea's going to be testifying in front of Congress.
It's just worth taking a moment to shake your head and ask, what were they thinking of, whoever made that crazy initial decision?
And while you're at it, take a look at this WaPo article, to get a feeling for what it's like right now, for our troops, on the ground.
Here's what I found most wrenching and worrying:
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Many soldiers say they are not surprised by the increasing attacks or the displays of anger among Iraqis.
"They're getting tired of us," said Spec. James McNeely, 48, a member of the D.C. National Guard's 547th Transportation Company. "Wouldn't you be mad if they invaded your country?"
McNeely said his unit has had little chance to interact with Iraqis or play a part in the nation-building operations that Washington hopes will win the support of Iraqis.
"We're just trying to survive, trying to make our lives a little more pleasant," he said during a stop at a roadside vendor to buy soft drinks for the men on his truck before heading into the military compound at Baghdad's international airport.
For others, the attacks have become not only frightening, but disheartening.
"We get so much resistance, we hear so much about different military people getting killed, it seems like people don't want to be helped," said Spec. Julian Snelling, 21, of Fredericksburg, Va., a member of the 307th Military Police Company. "Many Iraqis love us, but the bad apples alter your thinking."