WELCOME TO THE SAND

A story written from the ground level of history.Mirage in the Sand is a firsthand account of a young infantryman thrust into the early years of the Global War on Terror.Told through memory, letters, and reflection, the book explores what it meant to grow up inside a war that few understood and many would never see. It is not a tale of distant legends or polished narratives, but of real soldiers navigating heroism, dysfunction, loyalty, loss, and the quiet moments in between.Blending warmth, humor, action-packed scenes, horror, hard-earned life lessons, and tear-jerking moments, this story offers something for everyone. At its core, it is about service and brotherhood, and the heavy cost of war that lingers long after the sand is gone.

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MIRAGE IN THE SAND

• Fort Benning’s demanding Infantry School
• Deployments to Iraq, Korea, JRTC, and FLETC
• Life on patrol and in combat operations
• Letters written home in real time
• Interviews and reflections years later
• Brotherhood, loss, and the long return home
• Memorials to the fallen

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31 August 2002 – Letter from my father, Bill Harstad, Jr.
Here on the home front, a war with Iraq seems almost imminent. When, I don't know - but soon, I suspect. The media is in an almost frenzy.21 May 2003 – Letter from Peter, Student at Bryant Elementary School
Thank you for taking part in the Army and trying to save us all. Please try your hardest to save us because if you don't, well, I'm too young to die and so are you. I believe in you.1 August 2025 – Reflection of Noor "Nora" Aljassim, Interpreter for the U.S. Military
I didn’t want the jobs on the bases. I liked being out in the streets where the action was, especially on Haifa Street, where I lived and spent most of my time. Once, a grenade got tossed at us, and I caught a few fragments in my foot. Mostly, I was just mad that it ruined my boots.Undated – Letter from my grandmother, Toni Harstad
About the cross: When your G’Pa and I were married a long time ago, our minister gave Bill and me a cross to carry anywhere we pleased. I carry mine in my purse, but now I would like you to carry it. God watch over you and your company.

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About the author

Jeff Harstad is a U.S. Army combat veteran, former law enforcement officer, and author from Sioux City, Iowa. He enlisted the day after 9/11 and served as an infantryman with the 3rd Infantry Division during the early years of the Global War on Terror, eventually rising to the rank of sergeant.He completed two combat deployments to Iraq, operating in high-risk areas including Baghdad and the “Triangle of Death.” As a fire team and squad leader, he led soldiers through combat missions involving patrols, ambushes, and urban operations, earning multiple honors including the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Purple Heart.After the military, Jeff served more than a decade with the Sioux City Police Department, working patrol and later as a detective specializing in felony investigations and digital forensics, while also training and mentoring new officers.He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Master of Science in Space Studies, combining scientific research with a continued focus on national defense, leadership, and complex problem-solving.

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In the Media

American Military University
Alumni Stories: Transitioning from Combat to the Ecampus
April 24, 2026
Read the InterviewKTIV - Siouxland's News Source
Sioux City Native and Local Veteran: Jeff Harstad Shares Iraq Stories in New Book
April 5, 2026
Watch the SegmentOpen Line with Charlie Stone on KSCJ
Listen - Jeff Harstad: Mirage in the Sand
March 25, 2026
Hear the InterviewSiouxland Business News
Local Sioux City Author Releases Military Memoir Highlighting Early Iraq War Experiences
March 20, 2026
Read the ArticleSioux City Journal
Looking Past the Mirage
February 21, 2026
Read the ArticleEarned recognition as an Amazon Top New Release Bestseller in the following categories: Biographies of the Iraq War and Military Life & Institutions History.