Good day from New York.  I hope you are enjoying a safe and healthy weekend. Tonight on Nightly News we are taking a closer look at reports the White House may be looking to actually reduce the number of troops in Iraq beginning next year.  The White House reminds us that not all the reinforcements identified as part of the troop surge have even arrived in Iraq. Still, if you listen carefully to the President's remarks from this week's news conference he may have opened the door to some kind of a troop draw down. A New York Times report today suggests such discussions are in fact underway.  Our John Yang is working the story and will have more on the broadcast this evening.

Also on Nightly News, how much would you spend for a vehicle that breaks down every four-and-a-half hours?  The US Marine Corps spent over 1.5 billion on a new amphibious assault vehicle that is apparently spending way too much time in the garage.  Our senior investigative correspondent Lisa Myers has the story.

If you're reading this at home you may be among the Americans unwilling to hit the road this holiday in face of soaring gasoline prices.  Millions of others, however, have bitten the bullet and are paying dearly to make the long weekend escape.  We'll report tonight on exactly what holiday travelers are facing.

Finally, as we go about this weekend hopefully enjoying good weather, friends and family and maybe some well deserved time off from work, lets each take a moment to think about what this holiday represents and remember our fellow Americans who have died for this country.

Thanks for taking the time to check-in.  I'll look for you tonight on NBC Nightly News.