US troops banned from flying stars and stripes as units rumble toward border

Garcia answered, "I think Saddam Hussein got them weapons."

Bratton shook his head.

"I think it's oil," he said.

Smith offered his theory. "I think it's revenge for his father," he said.

To Stanco, who did not take part in the debate over the war's purpose, the flag issue reflected the complexity of the American task in Iraq. "We want to send the right statements," he said.