The Iraqi men who painted the mural occasionally worked for the Alpha Gators. Thar was a runner, sent out on shopping errands to local markets. Because the Americans can't move freely outside the compound without going as a group, Thar often was dispatched.
''Plus he can get a better price because they view all Americans as filthy rich,'' Jennings said.
Amer, meanwhile, had painted other murals around the patrol base for the 1st sergeant, including a ''Welcome to the Swamp'' mural that featured alligators swimming in a cypress-rimmed pond.After Nunes was killed, the two men agreed to produce a mural to memorialize the dead soldier as a gesture of respect, with no pay.
''Amer told me he wouldn't charge because Staff Sgt. Nunes had been a friend to his young son. Nunes loved kids,'' Jennings said.
As the Iraqis began their work, there were skeptical looks from some soldiers.
''I don't think the initial pain had been overcome. But I have 130 soldiers living in our three-house compound. I had to do something to get them focused again,'' the 1st sergeant said.
It has apparently worked.
SPC Seth Perry of Woodbury was not in Nunes' squad, but Perry thinks of him every time he passes the painting.
''It makes me stay vigilant,'' Perry said.
PFC George Gregg of Nashville said ''the mural always reminds me to keep my mind in the game. It's not real bad around here, but it can change in a second.''
For SPC Walter Eaton of Clarksville, however, the mural is more than a visual cue to keep his guard up.
''It also reminds me of the sacrifices our soldiers make here every day,'' he said.
''Did I lose a great squad leader on May 2, 2004, you damn right I did,'' Jennings said.
''I just wish the section of concrete it's painted on didn't weigh five tons. This makes it almost impossible to get back to Hawaii,'' he said.
A mom's reaction
Barbara Nunes knew nothing of Thar or Amer, or of the mural the two men created at the Alpha Gator's ''swamp,'' until she saw a photo of it on the Internet.
Jennings writes a weekly column about A Company for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Her daughter-in-law, Christy, had told her about it, and she had made a habit of searching the newspaper's web site on Sunday afternoons, a habit she continued even after her son died.
In the column of May 23 was a photo of the mural and Jennings' narrative about its creation.
''I just got chills. You could definitely tell it was him. You can't mistake it,'' the mother said.''It says a whole lot for my son. Todd was one to believe in giving anybody a chance. He had a lot of compassion, especially for kids. He loved kids.''
Barbara has framed a photograph of the mural. She would love to see it in person, but that's not an option.
Her remaining son, Brian, will be heading to Iraq in November for a second tour of duty. Perhaps he'll get a chance to see it, but even more, she prays he will return safely home.
''To me the mural is just one of the greatest tributes the Iraqis could have done. They did such a great job,'' she said.
On the day Barbara found the photo on the Internet, her granddaughter, Larissa, was visiting.
''I said, Larissa, look at this. She said, 'What is it?' I said, just look at it,'' the mother and grandmother recalled.
''She looked and then she turned to me and smiled a big smile. She said, 'That's my dad.' ''
