jbulger@journalnet.com

POCATELLO - Mary Walters' focus in life is service.

"I love to help everybody out," she said. "I put everybody before myself, so just trying to help out any way I can is good. It makes me happy."

The past two years of Walters' life have been spent serving her country in Iraq as a corporal in the U.S. Marines, stationed in Iraq's hot spots, such as Fallujah and Habbaniyah.

Walters, 20, enlisted in the Marines two years ago after graduating from Snake River High School.

Walters was involved in base security, ensuring that foreign nationals attempting to enter the green zone did not present a security risk.

She was also involved in the Lioness program. In order to safely search women and children without being disrespectful of Iraqi culture, female Marines are used.

"I was out there for 45 days," she said, "checking to make sure they didn't have bombs or anything."

In recent years, the prevalence of female suicide bombers has dramatically increased. Walters took the necessary precautions, wearing full body armor, eye protection and gloves, exacerbating the sweltering heat of the desert. Her take on the experience?

"It was fun," she said. "They were actually pretty nice about it."

She also appreciated the Iraqi people's expressions of gratitude.

"It was really nice when you heard them say that they could take their families to the park and not worry about being shot at (by insurgents)," she said.

Walters took one break from her tour to come back to take care of her mother after an automobile accident. Her mom recently suffered a cardiac event that doctors believe may have been caused by the accident. She will have a pacemaker implanted soon.

When her mother's condition has stabilized, Walters is thinking of again serving.

"In a few months, I think that I might go back," she said. "I'm hoping to volunteer to go to Afghanistan. "

There is little question she'll get another tour when she applies.

"If I ask, they'll send me," she said. "I'd just like to be over there. I feel like I'm helping."