BAGHDAD, Iraq – My roommate and I like to discuss essential matters in life; the food in the dining hall, office bureaucracy and politics, and once a week we sit on our beds, paint our toenails and dissect the castoffs on "Dancing With the Stars."

No, we are not college roommates at the University of New Hampshire; I wish that were the case.

We are, in fact, roommates in Baghdad, Iraq.

The first day I arrived in Iraq I could tell a few things about my roommate right away. First, it was obvious she has been in Iraq a long time. It was apparent to me when I saw her "gear" everywhere.

Secondly, my roommate is very organized since she's in the Army; she likes her stuff "just so;" I could tell as soon as I saw her "battle rattle" and rucksack spread out on the floor (Battle rattle is the informal term used for Level 4 Body Armor and helmet).

One more thing I could tell immediately: We had a special common bond. When I looked down on her bed I saw letters with a return address from Exeter, N.H. -- Could it be? My roommate was from New Hampshire, too!

I have been in the Air Force for 14 years and I have rarely met anyone from the Granite State, let alone bunked with anyone from home. This makes passing the time in Iraq much more enjoyable for both of us.

My Baghdad "Battle Buddy" Capt. Suzanne Tetreault is a nurse in the Army Reserve, proudly serving in the military for more than 30 years. In her civilian life, she works as a nurse at Portsmouth hospital. She is on a one-year tour in Iraq.

As for me, I'm active duty and the entire world is my home. I don't have a civilian job in New Hampshire to go back to, but my husband and I take the occasional vacation there for lobster cookouts and family get-togethers as often as we can.

Now, I'll have a new stop-off when I visit Rochester on R&R. I'll make sure I take a swing over to Exeter to see Suzanne, too.

Assigned as roommates in Baghdad, Army Capt. and Portsmouth Hospital nurse Suzanne Tetreault and Air Force Capt. Denise Burnham discovered they were both from New Hampshire. (COURTESY PHOTO)

We hope our time in Iraq makes a difference for the people. We both truly believe we are making progress here. This nation's government is still new and constantly evolving, but they are moving ahead and exercising authority on their own. We sit down at night and discuss our observations throughout the weeks.

The days in Iraq are long and the nights are short, and the downtime is nonexistent.

One thing that makes Baghdad more bearable is when we have a free moment, and are able to weigh in on the various topics: "Dancing With the Stars," the Saddam verdict, violence in Iraq and dessert at the dining hall.

This is just a day in the life of two women from the great Granite State, brought together as roommates, serving in Iraq as patriots.

Capt. Denise Burnham is originally from Rochester, N.H. and is a 1991 Spaulding High School graduate. She is a Public Affairs Officer in the Air Force.