Americans have yet to learn the legacy of the war in Iraq. In Wichita, a family who lost their soldier son to a roadside bomb in Baghdad personally confronted President Bush with a message — one that could resonate for years.

A lot of sons and daughters died, they told the president. They asked him whether their son died for nothing.

ONLINE EXTRAS

• Read and sign Alex Funcheon's memorial guest book
• Read e-mails Alex Funcheon exchanged with his parents during his overseas tour
• VIDEO: The Funcheon talk about Alex's teenage years
• VIDEO: Mrs. Funcheon describes the day they were told Alex died
• VIDEO: The Funcheons decide they want to speak to President Bush
• YOUTUBE VIDEO: Alex practicing his German language skills
• View family photos and images from Alex Funcheon's platoon in Iraq.
• Read journal entries from Gloria Funcheon, Alex Funcheon's sister
• Behind the scenes with Roy Wenzl

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About this series

Events described in these stories were drawn from interviews conducted over an 18-month period with the story subjects or from documents provided by the story subjects, or were witnessed by the reporter.

In most cases where dialogue is used, the majority of the subjects interviewed agree on the words that were spoken. The exception is Sen. Pat Roberts' conversation with President George W. Bush on Air Force One. That section was reconstructed based on the recollections of Roberts, a former journalist. Read more about the series