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December 30, 2004



Big Balls

Marine balls are evidently bigger than most - or at least that's what what I'm guessing based on the latest troop support request. 6th ESB is deploying 17 Marines next week and their previous experience is that football with the US Army is a "non contact sport". However, the British would like to play rugby with them if we can get a supply of rugby balls. If we send them, our Marines will start a rugby league and will share the balls with the different Marine groups that have British troops or Royal Marines with them.

If you'd like to donate toward the cost of a half dozen rugby balls (and other sports equipment), please send a check to the Marine Corps Family Foundation (write rugby balls in the memo line) or paypal us at donations@marinecorpsmoms.com.

Address for the Foundation is:

Marine Corps Family Foundation
4500 Ruby Ct. NE
Salem, OR 97305

Posted by Deb at 05:27 PM | Comments (3)



December 29, 2004



3/1 Update from Fallujah

This is a few weeks old but I just received it - here's the latest from LtCol Buhl in Fallujah:

Greetings from the City of Fallujah.

This is my sixth letter to you, published on the Anniversary of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. We are in the sixth month of our deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. As you are probably well aware from the headlines, the Thundering Third has continued to perform its duties in Iraq with a high degree of combat efficiency in accordance with the legacy of valor and professionalism we inherited from our distinguished Veteran forebears. There is a popular phrase that you may have heard in the past that describes our recent actions in the City of Fallujah. It goes something like this, "There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second opinion."

As most of you now know, "Your" Battalion was the 1st Marine Division's main effort for two weeks of high intensity combat operations to rid the City of Fallujah of international terrorists and Iraqi insurgents. Known as Operation "AL FAJR" or "New Dawn", this operation was successful in killing or capturing thousands of terrorists and insurgents, denying them sanctuary, and destroying thousands of weapons and ordnance items.

The fighting experienced in Fallujah was some of the most violent I have observed over my career in the US Marine Corps. We were up against determined adversaries who were well armed, and had prepared defensive fighting positions in complex urban terrain. The 1st Marine Regiment (RCT-1) advanced into the western half of Fallujah with the Thundering Third, 3d Bn., 5th Marines, and the 2d Bn, 7th Cavalry, armed with M1A2 tanks and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Fully supported with all the combined arms resonant in the Marine Air Ground Task Force to include USAF AC-130 Gunships, your Marines, Sailors and Soldiers aggressively attacked the enemy and maintained relentless pressure on him until he was reduced to operating in small isolated groups, hiding in homes.

As I mentioned above, the fighting was extremely fierce. During our advance we uncovered enemy from many different neighboring Arab countries, large quantities of weapons and ordnance of every type, sensitive items such as passports of murdered hostages, torture rooms, propaganda studios, military skills training centers, etc. As we had long suspected, Fallujah proved to be a massive sanctuary and cache site for the enemies of peace. Indeed, the extent of the ordnance located in this city is such that the city continues to experience daily explosions, as our Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams destroy newly discovered explosives and munitions.

Shortly before Operation AL FAJR began, we pulled the entire Thundering Third in for only the second time we'd all been together since we began our Operation Iraqi Freedom II deployment in June. It was a blessed if not expectant time together.

You may have seen the article published on our "First Annual Thundering Third Ben Hur Memorial Chariot Race." This race actually proved to be a number of timed heats due to uncooperative horses. These horses had been impounded temporarily when suspected infiltrators brought them around our base under the guise of scrapping. A number of men in the Battalion with horse handling experience cared for them in the weeks preceding the horse race. All of our horses had fresh hay every day and their own little stable inside Camp Abu Ghurayb.

They actually gained weight and appeared content until race day, when nearly every one of them decided he'd had enough cart pulling in his lifetime!
Needless to say, the event was a morale raiser, replete with uncooperative horses, Marine actors in costume, race music and starter's trumpets piped in over our loudspeaker, our Battalion Color Guard and National Anthem, Chaplain's Prayer, a couple of short speeches, and the singing of the Marines' Hymn as a Battalion.

24-hours later the Thundering Third was in the attack into N Fallujah. Our opening gambit included the seizure of the Fallujah Train Station. You may recall my description of our Iraqi National Guard Brothers from India Company in Nasser Wa Salaam. Well, these fine men joined our Marines from the Battalion's Combined Action Platoon (CAP) and aggressively attacked and seized this train station, with support from Company L (the ING continued its superb performance throughout the operation in support of Lima Company). This began our Regiment's assault from this portion of the city. After that we conducted a forward passage of lines with our Army Brothers from the 2d of the 7th Cavalry, and followed them into Fallujah for the first day of combat.

The morning of the 2nd day saw the Thundering Third out in front, assigned as the RCT-1 main effort through the most dense and complex portion of Fallujah, known as the Jolan. Indeed, we remained RCT-1's main effort all the way through to the end of high intensity combat operations 12 days later.

After this, we had another week or so of hunting down isolated pockets of resistance - insurgents and terrorists that moved from other parts of the city into our zone. We systematically eliminated these pockets over the subsequent days. Today a calm has descended over our portion of the city, broken only by the sound of controlled detonations as described above. We are busy hardening up our firm bases, conducting joint patrols with Iraqi Soldiers from the new Iraqi Army, creating humanitarian assistance sites and entry control points into the city, and clearing up rubble.

We also took time to truck out a fine Thanksgiving Feast to our Lads in the field. Vat cans of turkey, steak, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, gravy and cake were brought to every Marine, Sailor and Soldier in the field. All hands rejoiced in the special brotherhood of a Combat Veteran Marine Infantry Battalion. All hands were simply thankful to be together to share a meal at the end of one of the greatest bonding events any will experience in their lives. As I have said in every letter since we hit the deck in Iraq, whether in contact with the enemy or with friendly people seeking a better life, your Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors are doing great things out here every day.

Weather Report: As you may have heard from your loved ones out here, daily temperatures have now become down right chilly. After a blistering summer in the Al Anbar Province, all hands have donned their polypro undershirts and Polartec Fleece shirts. My thoughts turn back 54 years ago, when this Battalion was at Hagaru, North Korea. A few remarks are inevitably made referencing the chill, often followed by mention of our Korean Veterans... "How'd they do it up at the Chosin Reservoir?" For a more recent example, last year the Thundering Third was up in Bridgeport, CA, for cold weather mountain warfare training. This year, despite the drop in the mercury, we have it a bit more comfortable. The Thundering Third was in the attack against our Nation's foes on our Marine Corps 229th Birthday, though many a "Happy Birthday Marine", or "Happy Birthday Doc" was passed on that special day. After the dust settled a bit, as described above, in accordance with tradition, we trucked out another holiday meal to every company in the field in Vat Cans. "Every meal a feast" and "every formation a family reunion" describe this day best. I must also mention that there were many smiles across the Battalion as we were granted a I MEF special ration of two beers per Marine, and one small bottle of rum. This special ration, combined with another superb dinner and birthday cake - should solidify the memory of our 229th Birthday in Fallujah, Iraq for the rest of our lives.

Ladies and Gentlemen, large quantities of mail and packages continue to arrive and are greatly appreciated. At this point, I would ask those who desire to send packages to limit the contents to food and tobacco items which can be consumed. Of course, reading materials and DVDs are also welcome and will be used. Thanks to the generous folks back home, most hygiene items are in large supply out here. All of the thoughtful donors who have sent things to our Marines are too vast to mention here, but the members of G-3-1 Korea have been particularly generous to their Battalion. I will also mention Marine Corps League Detachments from Ventura and Mount Diablo, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Rear Admiral King, USN (Ret.), Rusty's Chips from Balboa Island, CA, the great people from Coorstec in Golden Colorado and the good people from the Jefferson County Colorado Government Center there.

SgtMajor Ed Sax continues to experience flash backs to his company gunnery sergeant days and never gets tired of distributing these items for delivery to our Marines, and sometimes to Iraqi children. I want to repeat that I cannot tell you how good it feels to know how many people are behind us back home. These packages and the inspiring messages contained within really make a great difference to our Marines and Sailors... all are deeply, deeply appreciated. This month, in an effort to reduce the length of my portion of the newsletter I will not mention all of our meritorious Marines by name.

As you can well imagine, we have an incredible group of heroes in the Thundering Third (as an example, I invite your attention to the article attached below our Family Newsletter on Cpl Robert Mitchell, a superlative NCO and hero from Company K).

We also have standouts in a reinforced infantry battalion full of standouts. Sergeant Major Sax and I share the great personal and professional privilege and pleasure as career Marines to see our men earn combat promotions, NCO and Marine of the Quarter honors, and earn additional qualifications while participating in combat operations.

I can well imagine the pride felt by the families of these outstanding Marines as they write and phone home to relate the good news - superlative Marines and Sailors, who are serving their country most honorably in a time of war. Like their forebears in the Thundering Third from WWII (15 Feb 42) to present, our Marines and Sailors have continued to serve with fortitude in the face of adversity.

As you must know, we continue to sustain casualties here in Iraq. The recent period of high intensity combat in Fallujah was particularly rough in this regard. Due to great combat leadership and training, protective equipment, and the best Surgeons and Corpsmen in the 1st Marine Division, a high percentage of our wounded are returning to duty. Unfortunately, as noted in previous letters home and the comments above, we have had a few men hurt enough to be medevaced back to the USA. On this note, our Marines and Sailors continue to be blessed with visits by a number of the Battalion's Distinguished Veterans and the Families and Friends of our Battalion. These visits mean the world to our men and their families, and mean the world to the rest of us in Iraq, knowing that our Lads are being well cared for in the rear. Since I last wrote to you, it is also my sad duty to report to you that we have lost 23 of our brother Marines and one Iraqi Special Forces Soldier killed in action here in Iraq. All of these men gave their lives for their brother Marines and Sailors here, and for all Americans in defense of the freedoms we are all privileged to enjoy. America owes these Marines and their families an endless debt of gratitude. They are greatly missed by their brothers here and by their families back home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families. We continue the mission we began here together, as they would have wanted.

I will conclude this letter with all of our best wishes for Happy Holidays to you at home, especially to the great Ladies who continue to do great things in our Thundering Third Key Volunteer Network. You who have sacrificed at home over the past six months to enable your loved ones to serve our Nation overseas in a time of war - our men couldn't accomplish the things that they have without you behind them. I recently read a book by Steven Pressfield entitled, "Gates of Fire." Ostensibly it is the story about the Spartan defense of the pass at Thermopoly. What the book is really about is the commitment and sacrifice of a people for their nation. Although we have a different form of government and live in a different time, there is much to admire about the Spartans and indeed the ancient Greeks, where Western democracy was born. To bring you back to my main point, one of the greatest parts of this book described how Leonidas, the King of the Spartans, selected the 300 Soldiers he brought with him to Thermopoly, a mission that all realized would mean the deaths of those defending the entrance to Greece from Persian hordes under King Darius. Leonidas relates that the way he chose the men who would accompany him to Thermopoly was by an evaluation of their women - wives and mothers. Please don't misread my intent with this story, we all deployed to Iraq with the full intention of bringing everyone home. That intention continues in earnest, especially after all this Battalion has been through.

My final point is that we have an incredible group of supportive family members led by our Key Volunteers behind us out here. We are a volunteer force of committed professionals who serve our Nation, Navy, and Marine Corps with happy hearts. Throughout the rigors of OIF II, our Key Volunteers have been there for our Battalion Families in EVERY circumstance. Ladies, I do not have the words to express how important the compassionate work you are doing means to all of us out here, and to our Marines and Sailors and their families back home. Ladies, THANK YOU from all of us forward deployed for the continued superlative support - we all cannot wait to be home with you again soon.

As time permits, I will write again. I hope that this update has provided you with an insight into the Battalion's recent accomplishments and progress. In addition to your support for your Marines and Sailors over here, I also respectfully ask that you keep the families of our lost and wounded Marines and Sailors in your thoughts and prayers. Since I last wrote to you, it is also my sad duty to report to you that we have lost a number of our brother Marines and one Iraqi Special Forces Soldier killed in action here in Iraq. All of these men gave their lives for their brother Marines and Sailors here, and for all Americans in defense of the freedoms we are all privileged to enjoy. America owes these Marines and their families an endless debt of gratitude. They are greatly missed by their brothers here and by their families back home. We continue the mission we began here together, as they would have wanted. The 3d Bn, 1st Marines forever honors the sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Russell Slay (2d AAV Bn), Sergeant Christopher Heflin, Sergeant William James, Sergeant Byron Norwood, Sergeant Morgan Strader, Corporal Theodore Bowling, Corporal Dale Burger, Corporal Brian Oliveira, Lance Corporal Jeramy Ailes, Lance Corporal Bradley Arms, Lance Corporal Benjamin Bryan, Lance Corporal Luis Figueroa, Lance Corporal Michael Hanks, Lance Corporal Justin McCleese, Lance Corporal Andres Perez, Lance Corporal Juan Segura, Lance Corporal Abraham Simpson, Lance Corporal James Swain, Lance Corporal Nathan Wood, Lance Corporal Louis Qualls, Lance Corporal Joseph Welke, Lance Corporal Philip West, and Private First Class Nicholas Larson, and Jundi Majeed, Iraqi Special Forces, who are gone but never forgotten. John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

God Bless and Semper Fidelis,
LtCol Willy Buhl
CO, 3d Bn, 1st Marines

Here is the story, written by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel T. Garcia, referenced in LtCol Buhl's letter:

"The feeling of hot metal going into your body has become pretty familiar, and I don't like that," said Cpl. Robert Joseph Mitchell.

For the fourth time in the last five months, Mitchell would again be injured during the fierce fighting in Fallujah. As he recalls the event, his gaze turns from those who are listening to a place far away. "I was leading my squad down a road where we were clearing the buildings," said the 24-year-old native of Omaha, Neb. "I saw another one of the sergeants from another platoon run out of a house after huge amounts of fire erupted from that area. He had been wounded in the hand and said 'there were still friendlies down in the house.' He didn't know who or how many."

Mitchell and his Marines sprang into action, Nov. 13. Entering the first room of the house the Marines noticed a dead man on the ground suggesting the room had been cleared. Two rooms over Mitchell could see that there was a Marine down who needed to get out. Mitchell, along with three other Marines including his first sergeant tried to cross the larger of the two rooms to reach the wounded Marine.

As soon as they entered the next room, they received incoming fire from the top of a stairwell to their left. "Someone was firing down the staircase and throwing (fragmentation grenades) down at us," said Mitchell, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. "We made it through to the next room, and there were other Marines in there trying to help the Marine that was down." The insurgent threat had the Marines trapped in their rooms with his direct line of fire covering their only exit. "Obviously the guy had a pretty good kill zone by firing right down the stairs at us," said Mitchell. "We couldn't move the down Marine because he was shot in the upper thigh. He was in a lot of pain and screaming."

During their movement, Mitchell's first sergeant and another one of his Marines had been hit. Unable to make it the room with Mitchell, they remained on the ground in a room slightly behind the stairs. Mitchell ran from the room he went in to the first sergeant and the other injured Marine. The first sergeant had been shot in the right leg and still conscious. He told Mitchell that he had taken a few shots in his calf. The blood around the area was evidence enough. Mitchell's other Marine had been shot in the leg as well, but the first sergeant thought the Marine might have been shot in the gut as well.

"I was getting ready to help the first sergeant out, but he told me to take care of the other Marine first," said Mitchell. "I went over to the Marine and started stripping his gear off. I was looking around for a wound. I thought for sure that I was going to see just his guts spilling out all over the place but that wasn't the case. He hadn't been shot in the gut. He did receive a shot to the left center of his back though. I thought that maybe he had taken a lung shot. He wasn't bleeding to bad."

The Marine he was tending to happened to be one of Mitchell's best friends. Seeing his injured friend hit Mitchell pretty hard. Despite his feelings, Mitchell knew he had to do something. "I had (medical) gear and went through the squad medic's course. I was pretty much prepared for whatever," said Mitchell. "I ended up just slapping a dressing on his back and throwing a tourniquet around his leg to stop the bleeding. After that, there wasn't much I could do for the first sergeant because I was out of dressings and tourniquets."

Although Mitchell didn't have enough tourniquets to use on the first sergeant, he noticed that the wounds were not bleeding too excessively, and he knew the first sergeant was a tough Marine. "I mean, it was 1st Sgt. Kasal, the guy that was the epitome of Marines," said Mitchell. "From there all I could do was monitor their situation and try to figure out how the hell we were going to get out of that house. We couldn't even expose ourselves in the direction of the door because the guy upstairs would just pour rounds down at us."

The Marine he had just treated that was still conscious and looking around. He pointed out to Mitchell that his weapon had been damaged. Mitchell looked at his weapon and noticed that a round had hit the bolt. "At this time I started feeling a little bit weak in the leg. I looked down and my leg was pretty bloody," said Mitchell. "Not too bad, but I noticed there was blood on it and I could feel pain. I thought it was fragments from the concrete around the wall that had hit me. I didn't see any punctures through my cammies though." He continued to monitor his Marines and the radio and direct traffic till help arrived. Help arrived in the form of a squad from 2nd Platoon. They showed up just in time to help the Marines plan casualty evacuation.

However, Mitchell was worried that the platoon may fire on the building with them still in it. He cried out to the Marines, "Do not fire, do not fire inside the house!" Second platoon managed to get a squad inside the house to help evacuate the casualties and the other Marines by taking up positions to suppress the fire while they escaped. Once everyone was out of the house and a safe distance away, the Marines planted satchel charges on the house to bring it down on the insurgent inside. Once they had the chance to account for everyone, Mitchell's squad was down from 13 to seven capable members. Mitchell also had a chance to look at his own wounds. He found that shrapnel had been lodged in his thigh for some time during the encounter in the building, but can't remember when.

This encounter with insurgents in Iraq is a possibility every Marine is faced with. Unfortunately, this is not the first brush with enemy fire for Mitchell. On three different occasions, he has been the casualty of enemy fire.

The first time he was injured was July 7 near Fallujah, two weeks after his unit arrived in Iraq. Mortars came over the wall of the compound he was in. Mitchell and several other Marines headed for the wall to return fire. As they did, another mortar came down almost directly on top of them and blew up. A dime size piece of shrapnel hit Mitchell on his forehead directly between his eyes. "Seeing my Marines getting injured and going away on casualty evacuations mostly just angered me and made me want to fight harder," said Mitchell. "Getting hit myself really pissed me off."

"The first time (he was hit), we had a patrol scheduled, and I'd be damned if I wasn't going to go on it." Fifteen minutes later, Mitchell would be out on that patrol with his face sticky with blood from the shrapnel in his forehead. The second time was the day before the incident with gunman up the stairs. Mitchell and his team encountered another insurgent who was firing through a closed gate. One round went through his tricep and another round ricocheted of a wall and burned his leg. When he was shot, he again determined to finish the job by pushing through the excruciating pain in his injured arm to return fire. "I wasn't going to stop there either. I wanted to get those guys," said Mitchell. "When I got fragged in that last house, I wasn't going to leave with my first sergeant and another Marine injured in that house. First of all I didn't know that I was hit because the adrenaline. I just got pissed off again and tried to figure out a way to kill these guys." The third injury he couldn't remember when or where it happened. However, Mitchell realized a small piece of shrapnel was embedded in his chin.

"When you get hit multiple times there is always a thought in the back of your mind, like where is the next one coming from and where is it going to hit you," said Mitchell. "It started taking a little bit of a toll on me, after the last time. I knew that I could do my job and that I could lead Marines, but I didn't want to put myself in the situation of 'what if I did hesitate, and it wasn't me that got hit but someone else.' It is definitely not worth the risk to any other Marine."

Mitchell was told by his commanding officer that it would be best that he didn't go back out. One of the only reasons Mitchell could see for this was because of the emotional toll it has taken on him. His family was notified of his injuries and shared the battalion's concern, mostly for his physical safety.

"I am going home with the rest of the Marines whose service time has ended," said Mitchell, who enlisted in February 2001. "I was given the choice to stay and it was a hard one. But I figure if I am not back out there leading my Marines, which is probably best that I don't, than maybe I can go back to the injured Marines who are already back home and bring them some company." Though he is going home, the thought that he is leaving without completing the mission has crossed his mind.

"Being told by my (commanding officer), sergeant major, platoon commander and all my buddies that I have done enough -- that helps to ease my thoughts," said Mitchell. "It is supportive, but at the same time, I came out here to lead a squad and finish the job. Now, my squad is being led by Cpl. Wolf, who is 100 percent capable of the job, and there is nobody else I'd rather have leading my squad. So that eases my mind a little." Going home after his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the assault on Fallujah, the graduate of Riverside High School in Oakland, Iowa, knows that his perspective of the world will change even more.

"National holidays hold a little bit more meaning for me now," said Mitchell, who spent time working on a farm as a farmhand in the area he was growing up, harvesting crops and caring for cattle. "I was always patriotic when I was growing up, but I don't think anybody could ever explain the patriotism that I have now. I know a lot of guys feel the same way."

For his Marines who remain in Iraq, Mitchell only has a few short, but meaningful words. "I love 'em, and I'll never forget them," said Mitchell of his fellow Marines. Mitchell will never forget the Marines who have paid a large price in the name of freedom, which is truly never free.

"I believe that everyone deserves their right to the freedoms that the United States offers," said Mitchell, who has seen several of his closest friends and Marines under his care fall to enemy fire. "But I believe that everybody who has done anything in the military deserves to practice those rights even more. It is kind of selfish to say because it is our job and it is what we do. But I know a lot of guys who have made too many sacrifices over here for those rights and I think a lot of people take that for granted sometimes."

Posted by Deb at 02:58 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack





3/4 Marines return to Iraq

1,000 Marines with the "Thundering Third" at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, CA stayed a bit closer to base over the holidays than they might have wished. All holiday leaves were canceled as their second deployment to Iraq in the last year was moved up from March to early January. They returned from Iraq last July.

Capt. Chad Walton, base public affairs officer, said Monday that the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit, will be part of the "security and stability operations that the other Marines have been doing in Iraq".

Posted by Deb at 12:17 AM | Comments (1)



December 28, 2004



Send in the Marines

As the death toll in Indonesia and surrounding countries mounts, the rest of the world is scrambling to put together a comprehensive relief effort that will help meet needs of that region. Here is a link to a comprehensive list of international aid organizations. On that list and strongly recommended by Hugh Hewitt as "the most efficient disaster relief agency in the world" is World Vision. If the page is slow to load, you can make a phone donation at 1-800-777-5777 or 1-888-562-4453.

The United States, as usual, is the most generous nation in the world. Initial promises of $35 million have been made, and more is planned, once the magnitude of the disaster is clear. And, the Pentagon is sending in the III MEF.

U.S. Pacific Command is sending a forward command element (FCE) to Utapao, Thailand, to establish the command, control and communication structure for Joint Task Force 536 (JTF 536).

Thailand's decision to allow use of this Thai military facility is welcomed. The U.S. intends to use, with Thailand's cooperation, this military facility as a regional support center for emergency and medical personnel providing assistance throughout the region as well as a staging area for U.S. military and rescue aircraft, forensic experts, and other relief assistance.

The FCE and follow-on JTF will coordinate U.S. military relief efforts in the region. The FCE and JTF will work with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, host nations and humanitarian relief agencies to identify requirements and coordinate relief efforts.

The focus of the mission will be to prevent further loss of life and human suffering by expeditiously applying resources to the overall relief effort. The FCE team is comprised mainly of personnel from the III Marine Expeditionary Force. Additional personnel will be deployed from other locations in the Pacific command area of responsibility.

U.S. military relief efforts include:

  • U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft in Yokota, Japan, loaded with relief supplies are expected to deploy to Utapao, Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.
  • U.S. Navy deployed P-3 aircraft from Kadena, Japan, to operate in the vicinity of Thailand with Utapao, Royal Thai Air Force Base, serving as a hub for operations.

Other forces enroute to the region that could be committed to relief efforts, if necessary, include:

  • USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, including USS Shoup, USS Shiloh, USS Benfold, and USNS Ranier and
  • USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, including USS Duluth, USS Milius, USS Rushmore, USS Thach, USS Pasadena and USCG Munro.
  • U.S. Air Force will deploy KC-135 aircraft from Japan and Guam to provide assistance as directed.

U.S. military exercises often include training for humanitarian assistance. This humanitarian assistance training helps ensure the U.S. military is able to rapidly respond as directed to support relief efforts.

The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command will continue to review resources available and direct forces as necessary to provide authorized humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to affected nations in the region.


Posted by Deb at 08:23 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 27, 2004



Strenghen the Good

One of the joys of being part of a larger community of weblogs is finding others who care about what is going on in the world . . . and then take steps to make it better. Alan from The Command Post did just that when he started a new website, Strengthen The Good, with the goal: "Using the power of weblogs for open-source charity. Don't just fight evil: Strengthen the good."

Here is the latest opportunity

. . . Douglas Dart, has been a friend of mine for decades. Douglas, his wife, and his three young daughters are currently spending a year living in Bratislava, Slovakia. Doug's (unpaid) mission: teach English and American Studies to Slovakian high school students at a school called The C.S. Lewis Bilingual Gymnaziumin in Bratislava's Petrzalka district.

A stumbling block to his mission is the lack of English books. So, Alan proposes that we help.

Here's how we can help strengthen the good: Below is a list of books the school needs for the English and American Studies programs ... the items with an asterisk are those for which they need several copies (as many as twenty each to use for literature classes). Anything else they will use to build the library.

Click here for a list of books and how to send them. You can make a difference.

Posted by Deb at 07:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





BeliefNet's "Most Inspiring Person of the Year"

BeliefNet, a site that offers information and advice on topics ranging from A(theism) to Z(oroastrianism) has posted their choice for "Most Inspiring Person of the Year", following a popular vote. Here's a list of the finalists and the percentage of the vote received:

Jason Dunham, Fallen Marine 33%
Christopher Reeve, Fallen actor21%
Mukhtaran Bibi, Rape survivor11%
Pat Tillman, Fallen Soldier 9%
Fantasia, "American Idol" contestant 8%
Margaret Hassan, Murdered by thugs in Iraq5%
Smarty Jones, racehorse - why he's on this list at all is a mystery to me 5%
Nancy Reagan, caregiver and former First Lady4%
Spc. Darby, Abu Ghraib whistle-blower4%
Curt Schilling, Red Sox Pitcher1%

Following the vote, the editors of BeliefNet chose Pat Tillman to receive the award. Here's their reasoning:

Despite our intention to keep divisiveness out of the Most Inspiring Person this year, even acts of heroism are viewed through the lens of politics. Judging from online comments and our conversations with people about this year's nominees, it seems those who see mostly tragedy in the Iraq war are most inspired by Spc. Joseph Darby, who blew the whistle on the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, or Margaret Hassan, the director of Care in Iraq, who devoted her life not to killing but healing. We would hope that all of us could see the extraordinary courage in all four of them. Surely war supporters can admire Margaret Hassan for staying in Iraq, at obvious personal risk, to help suffering Iraqis (the point of this war was, after all, to help Iraqis) or understand that one cannot promote a moral war while concealing the immorality of prison torture. Surely even the war's most outspoken opponents can appreciate the sacrifice evident in Pat Tillman?s story or the extraordinary courage and valor of Jason Dunham, who flung his helmet and possibly himself on a live grenade to protect the lives of others. Dunham won our "People's Choice" award among Beliefnet users. As one friend of Dunham?s wrote, "What he did for his fellow soldiers and for mankind in beyond comprehension. In our small town of Scio he will NEVER be forgotten."

In the end, despite the great physical or moral courage of all four of them--and the incredible stories of the six other most inspiring finalists: Christopher Reeve, Nancy Reagan, Fantasia, Smarty Jones, Mukhtaran Bibi, and Curt Schilling--we choose Pat Tillman as the most inspiring person of the year.

Tillman, who walked away from a multimillion dollar NFL career to volunteer for service after 9/11, was deployed in Afghanistan, where American soldiers successfully overthrew a tyrannical regime that was subjugating its population and harboring Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Tillman was killed there in April.

There's more and you can read it at the BeliefNet site. I'm not quibbling over the choice between Pat Tillman and Jason Dunham - they're both heroes to me, although I do have a bias for Cpl. Dunham. Taking the deliberate action of throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his brother Marines elevates him to superhero in my book. A real superhero, in contrast to another entry on the list who played one on the movie screen, and would not be on the list at all if it were not for his celebrity status prior to his injury. In reading through the comments regarding Cpl Dunham's selection as "People's Choice", I was struck by some of the bone-headed, blindedness of the posts. Here are a couple:

I'm against the war precisely because of men like Cpl. Dunham. He deserved to serve and die in a war worthy of him. I don't think the one in Iraq is it. I hate the casual way in which the administration is using our courageous men and women. They deserve far better.

The hypocrisy of this statement is breathtaking. Cpl Dunham didn't deserve to die - none of our fallen heroes have. But to qualify wars as "worthy" based on armchair quarterbacking by folks with no stake in the outcome is insulting.

General Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, pinned Cpl Dunham's Purple Heart medal on his hospital gown less than an hour before he died. In a speech later, he said that all Dunham's parents could talk about was how he felt about the Marine Corps and how he loved and respected the Marine Corps. "They have a 15-year-old son who wants to join the Marine Corps," the general said. "And they're going to support him."

Cpl. Dunham's parents, more than any one else, understand the ultimate sacrifice made by their son - putting the life of his brother Marines over his own. And they would support their younger son's decision to join the Corps. Amazing parents.

Here's another quote:

Killing yourself doesn't take as much courage as living. Killing yourself is over quickly. Living and striving through hardship is much harder than dying. The glory of God is the person fully alive. I say vote for one of the people who lived, and honor life, not death.

Commandant Hagee told of how Dunham, a 22?year-old squad leader, was engaged in close combat with an enemy combatant in Iraq when an enemy hand grenade threatened the safety of Dunham and his fellow Marines. Dunham reportedly jumped on the grenade, shielding the blast using his helmet and himself, and was severely wounded.

"He was thinking of only one thing: the Marines in his squad," Hagee said. Dunham was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.

Because of Cpl. Dunham, the other Marines on his team were spared. I wonder how the above commenter justifies his self-centered comment in light of the admonition of Jesus, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. Cpl. Dunham demonstrated the epitome of love.

The next quote illustrates how blind some remain. Cpl. Dunham gave his life to protect his brother Marines. However, he was there in the first place to bring peace and freedom to the people of Iraq. In this entry, posted on the BeliefNet discussion board, the poster draws no distinction between Cpl. Dunham, the enemy combatant who tried to kill him and the other Marines, and Hitler's Nazi troops. It's ironic that someone who lives in a country where he is free to say anything he wishes, without fearing religious or military persecution, cannot make that distinction.

Is there really any difference between Jason's actions and those of the suicide bombers who he chose to confront? Being willing to die for unjust causes is not a quality of heroism, unless one is a member of the cult of death that supports the particuliar cause. The fact that the US military adventure in Iraq to control a fifth of the world's oil has murdered in excess of 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians and lost the faith of the Iraqi population in it's attempt to install it's CIA puppet makes the whole venture catastrophic and immoral. Would you have voted for one of Hitler's troops for this award sixty years ago?

Contrast the above with the message left on an online message board by childhood friend Dean Phillips: "I hope one day I could be half the hero he is. I hear there is a special place for heroes in heaven."

There is. I am certain that Cpl. Dunham is now guarding the streets of Heaven with other fallen Marines. And thank God that some people recognize what qualifies as inspiring. 33% of the people voting in this poll did. And future generations of Marines will - Cpl. Dunham's action will be told and retold by young Devil Dogs who will wonder privately if they would have the courage to act as he acted. He is an inspiration to them and to the rest of us as well.


Posted by Deb at 11:19 AM | Comments (5)



December 26, 2004



Donald Rumsfeld's Holiday Message

Secretary of Defense's 2004 Holiday Message to the Troops

This is the time of year when we want to give special recognition to the men and women in uniform -- volunteers all -- who defend our Nation and the cause of freedom.

But it is appropriate to go beyond a usual holiday message to put in context what is taking place at this time in our country's history. What the men and women in uniform are doing today will prove to be a pivotal chapter in the history of America's meaning and mission.

Since this great Republic's founding, Americans have stood at liberty's front lines. In its earliest days, the United States was the world's only democratic nation. But as the centuries have passed, the audacious and powerful ideals of freedom and self-determination that defined the American experiment have swept across the world.

We have seen it in recent times, in nearly every region of the world: in the joy of reunited Germans dancing atop the crumbling Berlin Wall; in the face of the lone young man who stood defiantly before the line of tanks in Tiananmen Square; in the millions of Afghan women who braved violence and intimidation to cast their votes in Afghanistan's first-ever democratic presidential election; in today's passionate debate over free and fair elections in Ukraine; and in the tens of thousands of Iraqis who have volunteered to come to their newly liberated nation's defense.

These momentous events would not have been likely had it not been for the daring and determination of America's founders, and for each of the many generations of Americans that followed who kept the flame of liberty alive at home and nurtured it abroad. This is the meaning and mission of America – and no one is more important to that mission than the American soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine.

In these difficult and trying times, I ask our men and women in uniform to remember this: There is perhaps no greater calling in life than what you are doing -- standing on freedom's front lines. And there could be no finer legacy to bestow to future generations than being part of our nation's forward strategy for freedom and contributing to a safer and more peaceful world.

So to all of you who are serving our nation -- I thank you for your courage. I thank you for your commitment. And to your families and loved ones, I extend my deepest appreciation for your sacrifices. And to all of those who have lost loved ones in this global struggle against extremism, and to all of those recovering from the wounds of battle, know that all who have served our country have been part of something that history and future generations of Americans will honor for decades to come.

Please also know I am deeply grateful to you and that you have my full respect. You have my very best wishes for the holiday season.

Donald H. Rumsfeld Secretary of Defense

Posted by Deb at 01:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 25, 2004



A Christmas message from an Iraqi

Omar from Iraq the Model writes:

It's really hard for us that a beautiful occasion like Christmas comes in sad days like the ones we've been through in Iraq last week.

We lost tens of our Iraqi brothers in Najaf, Kerbala and other Iraqi cities. Those people did nothing wrong except dreaming of a normal life; a dream that is seen as a crime in the eyes of the terrorists.

And we lost tens of our friends in the coalition who did nothing wrong but helping Iraqis in making their dreams come true; and that's another crime in the eyes of the terrorists.

It's never easy for us to see the blood of our brothers and friends being shed everyday but we should also remember that great goals to be achieved need great sacrifices and now it's our duty; we, who are still breathing must make sure that the priceless blood of our brothers and friends was not shed in vain and we should remember that the sacrifices they made were made for a noble reason.

Huge responsibilities are waiting for us; responsibilities towards the coming generations and responsibilities towards the brave ones who sacrificed their lives on the frontline.

We cannot let despair walk into our hearts now and we must keep the faith in our cause and keep the hard work until the dreams of our loved ones come true and I believe we should learn the lesson from the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ who offered his life for the cause he believed in and struggled for; freedom and justice.

Lets all pray for the souls of those who lost their lives defending freedom and justice.

Merry Christmas everyone and may the next Christmas come in better days.

Posted by Deb at 11:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





Santa's new sleigh

Official USMC Photo

Santa Claus joined the flying leathernecks of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 -- the aviation combat element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit on a CH-46 Sea Knight last night, bringing the gifts of democracy and a country free from fear to the children of Iraq.

Posted by Deb at 03:03 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack





Tending Distant Fires

Greyhawk is spending his Christmas in the sandbox, giving up the comfort of his own hearth and company of his wife and children for that of other Marines who selflessly serve. He sent this verse, reminding us that our ability to live well is due to the sacrifices made by our troops for over 200 years. Thank you to all Marines, soldiers, sailors, air men and women, and coasties who protect and defend so that we can keep our home fires burning.

Tending Distant Fires


Far from hearth and home, watching
Cold alone but not alone
On distant shore and only wanting
Safe return and little more

What tales we'll tell
When that time comes
When tales can be told

When things grim
Seem far away
When other fires go cold

Some distant sunset, vision fading
Memories remain
And tired eyes gaze 'pon folded flags
While distant drums beat their refrain

Saluting fallen friends whose names
And youth will never fade
Here's to those on other shores,
for them live well, the price is paid

-Greyhawk,
-Iraq, December 2004

He also provides this list of deployed Milbloggers with a suggestion:

Visit here; spread Christmas cheer
and if you can, throughout the year
1000 Words from Iraq

2Slick's Forum

Able Kane Adventures

Armor Geddon

Beef Always Wins

Blog Machine City

Dagger JAG

In Iraq for 365

Iraq Calling

Lance in Iraq

A Line in the Sand

The Mudville Gazette

Never heard of this place till now!!!

News from Baghdad

OIF

The Questing Cat

Steven Kiel

Training for Eternity

Tweak's World

Life in This Girl's Army

pure-randomness

NotQuiteDead

And those who wait:

Trying to Grok

Please visit the links that he has provided and spread that Christmas cheer!

Posted by Deb at 12:52 PM



December 24, 2004



Happy Birthday Ben

Gold Star mother, Brenda, shares memories of her third-generation Marine son, LCpl Benjamin H. Gearheart, who died on 8/27/97 at Camp Pendleton, CA during a training maneuver when his LAV went down a 1200ft embankment.

The pain we mothers have when giving them birth, is tiny...compared to losing them. Scientists say if you changed 1 thing in the universe, chaos would happen. The same thing happens if you lose 1 person. Someone, somewhere, lives are changed 4 ever! 7 years and it still feels like yesterday. The "missing you" lingers on abundantly!

Happy "30" Ben! Oh the fun you would have had this Christmas Eve! I can hear the jokes you would have made in regard to the big 30.

Yet I can see the little boy look that would have been on your face. The gee I really don't want to be this number, I want to be 10 again.

We would have shared many of these fun numbers together. I thought of you all day when I turned 50 this year. As the years go on and I settle for the memories I miss you more then ever.

Love Mom

This year I would like to share my favorite Christmas story with all
of you. I would also like to thank each and every one of you for
being there for me. It helps just knowing you are out there.

My husband and I raised four sons. Their ages today range from 24 to 35. We tried to teach them early on that gift giving was not about the price but ever so much the thought.

Many hours were spent in their younger years creating construction paper greeting cards and homemade gifts. Smiles pass my lips when I reflect on the closed doors in our house...A child yelling "Mom, Dad, Don't come in yet!" Oh, the excitement I heard in their voices. The love I felt, from their young souls. The spirited twinkle in their eyes when their creation was presented. Our house was adorned with many of these gifts. Pencil, crayon, and painted drawings were framed and hung. Clay sculptures and pots, cute pillows and such, an art gallery it was to me. Stick reindeers, beaded ornaments, and a very special red paper Santa dressed our tree. A tin can Pilgrim was a sight to see. I have in my possession to this day boxes of these priceless treasures.

Of all the heartfelt moments experiencing their love of giving, one is forever branded in my mind...

The year was 1990, as was tradition in our home we exchanged our personal gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. Santa would provide the Christmas morn. Our second to the oldest son Ben was 16. He was short on cash this year. When it came his turn to pass out gifts he rose and said, "I want all of you to stand and form a line oldest to youngest." He then proceeded down the line. Each of
us were hugged and told, "Merry Christmas I love you." His sad eyes misted with the wish of his heart. Though not having a gift to hand us he chose, "The Thought That Counted." Ben had chosen, the gift of love.

With tears streaming down my checks I remember looking at my precious son and saying, "That is the best Christmas present anyone could ever receive."

Ben was born on Christmas Eve 12-24-74
A blessed gift to his family

LCPL Benjamin H. Gearheart died 8-27-97

A gift to his country (in a military training accident)

Happy Birthday Ben

Ben's last Christmas was spent deployed to Kuwait in 1996. He mailed this letter to us that year:

A CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM BEN 1996

Mom & Dad,

I got my boxes yesterday and I really don't know how to start this letter. I do believe, no matter where I am, no matter the situation, and no matter what you had to do to get it done, you would make me feel loved. I think that I was the only one in my plattoon to get a box for Christmas. Words cannot describe how it felt to have everbody watchen as I opened rapped gifts sent from back home. But then again, I should not have been surprised, cause you have been doing the same thing for 22 years now.

People have asked me before what I was Most proud of. I tell them that I am most proud of my Mother and father. The way both of you had put Both of your lives to the side to raise four boys. Now that I am older I can see it alot better. What Both of you had put yourselves through just to make sure that we all had good clothes to put on our backs. All the up's and down's we had as a family, all the up's and down's that you two had as parents. They were always overcome, by two people who would work two jobs, work late in a sewing room. By two people who would give anything it took to put a smile on their Boy's face. Mom, you told me one time that you didn't know how I had went to day & night school and worked full time. Well even if you don't know it or not, things were learned that were not necessarly taught.

I've never really said it before, and I don't know why. Everynight when I say my prayers ( When I remember to pray) I allways thank God for giving me such great parents. What Im trying to say is "Thank You" Thank you so much for always being there and always giving what you didn't have. It was all noticed.

I love you more then anything in the world.

Ben

I want to thank all of you for remembering with me. Please know that I am so incredibly proud of your sons and daughters that are serving our country and that I keep all of them in my prayers. To the families who have had to endure "The Ultimate Sacrifice" Please know that my soul weeps with you and that you are most profoundly in my heart and prayers.

Please visit the web page that Brenda has created in her son's memory and sign her guestbook.

Posted by Deb at 12:04 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





Merry Christmas from Husaybah

My son called from his base camp on the Syrian border with Christmas greetings for all of his family here at home and that is by far the best gift I received this year. Each e-mails is treasured but hearing his voice is so wonderful. He said it's surreal being over there for Christmas - it's just another day without the traditional surroundings of home and family. Next year, I hope he'll be home to celebrate with us. But other Marines will be taking the place of those who are giving up comforts of home to help bring democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank God for men and women such as these!

1/7 Battalion Commander, LtCol Chris Woodbridge, sends along this Christmas update:

23 Dec 04

Happy Holidays to the entire First Team family, from your Marines and sailors here in Iraq. First I want to thank everyone for the holiday cheer that has been flooding the battalion since Thanksgiving. The outpouring of support from everyone back home has been incredible, and we are all very grateful for the cards, letters, and care packages. I can assure you that even though we would all rather be with you during the holidays, we will celebrate the season's festivities as much as we can, and this will be a time to remember for everyone. It may be hard to believe considering that it was over 130 degrees here back in August, but we have had snow here in the last week! So, we just might have a white Christmas!

We are well past the halfway point in our tour in Iraq, and I know the questions that are on everyone's mind: when is the battalion coming home? Are we on schedule or will we be extended? While I can't pass on any specific dates yet, I can tell you that we are still on schedule to return home in March and there is no plan to extend us here. In fact, the battalion that will replace us here has already done a leader's recon and we are well on the way to turning over this area as planned.

We have continued to be very successful in our fight against the inisurgents in this area and we have not lost a Marine to enemy action since the 15th of Oct. Unfortunately, on the 21st of Dec, LCpl Pesche from A Company lost his life in a vehicle accident. Mishaps like this are always tragic, but more so at this time of year. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in their time grief.

The next round of this fight will be the Iraqi national elections at the end of January. You can expect to hear a lot about this in the news in the coming weeks. These will be the first free elections in this country and they are the next step in building a democracy in Iraq. The hard work and sacrifices of every man in the battalion and you all back home are making this free future possible for the Iraqi people. We are all thankful for the continued support from the home front--we could not do what we do without all of you.

Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.
God bless and Semper Fi
LtCol Woodbridge

Merry Christmas to all deployed troops. You are never far from our thoughts but, especially today, we miss you and look forward to welcoming you back home.

Posted by Deb at 11:51 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 23, 2004



I am the one with a frayed yellow ribbon

Mary Ellen Salzano is the the mother of a Marine who has recently returned from Ramadi, Iraq. She recently wrote this op-ed for her local paper and has given permission for a reprint here. Her words capture the essence of what a military parent experiences during the holidays and during the other days of the year.

The days are long, yet the years are short. These words have been resounding for me this past week, as I look over the days of 2004 and the year of 2004. Often I wonder, where did the year go...seems just like yesterday that we were putting up decorations and baking cookies, yet I know that 300 and some days have passed. My perception of time changes from moment to moment. Some moments take forever like waiting to see our Marine at the gate in Hawaii for the first time since his return from Iraq, to the moments that are over in a heartbeat, like the two weeks we spent in Oahu on his turf, his permanent duty station. 2004 has been a year of personal and spiritual development and I am certain 2005 will be the same in diverse ways, ways I have never dreamed possible or probable.

Would enjoy seeing a reality show of soldiers and Marine's loved ones back home. Meeting people and sharing about our son's military service is always a unique experience. Never knowing if this revelation will bring out the wrath or the respect of the person I am speaking with Sometimes I am asked, "How do you do this?" So, for a slice of reality, I'll share how many military parents feel on a day to day, minute by minute basis. I received portions of this in an email, and the author is unknown....I have changed bits and pieces to reflect my life, my thoughts and emotions.

You see me everyday going about my life as usual, or so it appears to you. I am your co-worker, your neighbor, the person sitting next to you at church, or at a ball game. I shop at the same grocery stores and fill my car at the same places you do. You can find me anywhere; you might see me anywhere, but do not be deceived by the normalcy of my actions and words. I have not been "normal" for months. I am the mother/father of an American soldier/Marine.

I am the one with the frayed yellow ribbon or photo of my son/daughter pinned on my clothing. It was fresh and new when our loved one first deployed months ago. We know the war is not over and will not be over...the war on terrorism is with us to stay. My child is in a place where bullets and grenades are as common as the birds singing outside your windows. I am dedicated to wearing my ribbon or pin until he comes home, because this reminds me and others to pray for him. So please, when you see someone wearing a yellow ribbon or a support your troops pin, whisper a prayer for their child or children and for all the others still protecting our country while facing the holidays and birthdays and celebrations without their families and friends.

My house is the one with the faded yellow ribbons and the United We Stand placards. Always remembering how our lives were changed on September 11, 2001. There is an American flag on a pole attached to the front porch, and black ribbons get attached on days of rememberance. A small red and white banner with a blue star in the middle hangs in a window. We were presented with this by our local American Legion. Gold Star parents are the ones whose sons or daughters do not return home. Our hearts are in a constant ache for them and a piece of our heart and soul is with them.

When you drive by a house with a banner or military flag waving, please pray for the family and the son or daughter who may be overseas or homeland choosing to defend our ways of life, which we take so very for granted.

My heart is warmed each time I pass a home or car with a yellow ribbon or support your troops magnet as I know you have an idea of the sacrifices being made. Thank you. For many emails are received sporadically as well as phone calls, yet at times, there are no calls or letters for weeks at a time, and the papers are filled with stories of wounded and casualites or negative comments and it pierces our souls.

When I read of a soldier or Marine that has been killed and the name has not yet been released by the Department of Defense pending notification of family, restlessness, depression, insomnia and even physical illness can rule my life until 24 hours have passed and the men in dress uniforms have not appeared at my door. You learn how to scan your neighborhood before you pull into your driveway, hoping there are no government cars parked outside your door. You then feel guilty as the relief turns to grief as you know others will be getting a visit. The days of taking a full breath are long passed, we sometimes need to remind ourselves to breathe.

Going to the store is a chore that many of us avoid until the cupboards run bare. If you see someone standing in front of the snack foods, with tears streaming down their face, stop and give them a hug. If you see a man and woman at the store buying tuna and crackers, beef jerky, hand sanitizers and baby wipes take a moment and see if they are filling a care package, and if you can, ask what you can provide. If you see a woman buying more than 3 sympathy cards at one time, and tears rolling down her face, know she is a part of an online support group who sends cards to those parents whose child has paid full price.

I am here among you, trying to carry on a semblance of a normal life and my holiday table will have a place setting and chair ready for our loved one whom we know will not be with us. Like so many others I am the parent, the mother of an child serving in the military. Because of their sacrifices, we sleep in our bed at night safe and free. Your prayers and words of love mean the world.

May your holy/holly/holidays be filled with the Light of Spirit, the love of the Divine, the Joy of Creation, and the Compassion of the Eternal. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and look forward to sharing a new year filled with wonders and joys. May each moment of your life be overflowing with blessings, prosperity, love and grace.

Mary Ellen writes "Sharing and Caring" for the Morgan Hill (CA) Times and she may be reached at maryellen_salzano@yahoo.com

Posted by Deb at 01:00 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack





A Milblogger laments

Currently deployed in defense of America, Greyhawk puts down his weapon for a minute to pick up a pen - he skewers a critic who suggests that he "focus on the soldiers and not indulge in name-calling with respect to those who exercise their Constitutional freedom". Ho hum. Ho humbug. Our cherished constitutional freedoms - for which generations of other trops have fought, bled, and died - include that of speech. And this freedom especially includes being able to say what you wish without risk of government interference . . . especially if you are the one paying for the soapbox.

In A Milblogger's Lament, Greyhawk uses humor to make his point - and in rhyme, no less. Here are the first few verses - do visit his site and read the rest.

Merry Christmas dear friend, I'm inspired, you know,
But the Mrs should get all the thanks
It's her time and effort that makes this site go,
While I'm here dodging helos and tanks

So few minutes to spare out of each busy day,
but so many things cry for attention
there's no time for issues that seem far away,
so most of them get not a mention

While sometimes in our vehicles politicians ride,
'round V-beds and mortars detected
I still think we GIs can help them decide,
how much armor could keep us protected

And reporters with pens that kill us the same,
as things in Iraq or a 'Stan
and enemies here with unpronounceable names,
will get a few words when I can

But there's nothing here now and few posts I recall,
unrelated to things military
That's what MilBlogs are about, after all;
it's sad that you find us so scary

There's more and it's all good.

Posted by Deb at 01:12 AM



December 22, 2004



2/10 sends Christmas Greetings

Captain Scott Ference sends along this update from Fox Company. This Company was included in Operation Santa - Michelle Keenes took care of 1st platoon and Jan Lisachenko did the rest - over 100 Marines from Fox (plus more- she's amazing!). Here's the latest report from the field:

The Holiday Season in Iraq

We are experiencing some of the same aspects of the holidays over here that you, our family and friends, enjoy back home. There is cold weather, gifts (in the form of care packages), Christmas trees, and it even snowed! This will be the first Holiday Season away from home for many of the Marines and Sailors of Fighting Fox Battery. Our unit has grown extremely close over the past few months and I am sure that we will make the best of the season despite not sharing it with you back home.

This is the season for sharing. We have received many gifts - please accept my appreciation for the packages that you sent, and also accept my advanced apologies for receiving much more than we can possibly provide to you back home. There are a number of factors that limit our ability to send gifts. First of all the Internet service, while reliable, (at times) is tough to use as a purchasing medium because your allotted time limit often expires prior to making your purchase. In addition to that, the PX is stocked with many of the necessities for service members, and plenty of ?nice-to-haves? but it does not offer much in the form of presents.

Since we have arrived we have received many care packages from numerous groups and organizations. It is comforting to know that you all appreciate our efforts. The packages contain useful items and we are thankful for them all. I doubt if any of us will have to purchase a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, lip balm, or package of wet wipes for the remainder of our time here. If I can suggest an item to place in future packages, it would be instant hand warmers. The vast majority of our time is spent outside and the temperature has dropped significantly in the recent weeks. (The coldest temperature to date has been 21 degrees F.)

If anyone wants to send a box of handwarmers their way, e-mail me for their mailing address. deb@marinecorpsmoms.com I pick them up at Costco for $18.99 for a box of 80. Other needs are thermal boot socks, gloves, and microfleece beanies or balaclavas to be worn under helmets. It's cold and the fierce winds create a wind chill factor that can be bone chilling.

Here's another update from 1st Sgt. Solt, Lima Company (this is actually a 3/10 company that is attached to 2/10):

As we near Christmas the morale of the Marines and Sailors remains extremely high. The overall reason the morale level could be so high while deployed, especially during the holiday season, is the belief that what we are doing here truly makes a difference in the lives of the Iraqi people and the world as a whole. I must add I?m proud to be a part of this battery and battalion. It?s provided me with the opportunity to see the unselfishness and giving of the Marines and Sailors in an effort to do the right thing and be professionals at their jobs on a daily basis. To be a witness to this endeavor is truly a blessing.

The on going devotion of our loved ones and support from friends has shown through again and again with mail and care packages. Your continuous commitment to the troops of course aids in such a remarkably high morale level. The quantity of packages the battery has received is unbelievable. Many people and groups have adopted us. Words cannot begin to express how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness. By the time the New Years arrives, we will all need to go on a diet!

As the New Year approaches we all have something to be proud of, as 2004 has been an important year in so many of our lives: our families, our training, and the mission. With the arrival of the New Year, we can start counting down the days until our return. Having said that we will not be done until our last Marine/Sailor is back home with their loved ones.

As always, your support and understanding keeps us going. Never forget what your Marines and Sailors have done and continue to do here on a daily basis to improve the lives of so many people. In the United States we often fail to remember the countless others in this world who have never known freedom and equality, to live day to day without fear. Your Marines and Sailors are helping create that for the people of Iraq.

God Bless you all...
Ooh Rah,
1stSgt Solt, J.A.

Maureen Benz, whose son is part of this unit recently posted this plea:

Right now, my son's unit, 2/10 Lima Battery, is on the outskirts of Fallujah (since September 7th). When they first arrived in Iraq the weather was HOT. Now my son tells us he is always cold. At night it is worse. Since they are living in tents it keeps some of the cold out but the dampness is always with them. The young men and women are requesting anything that is warming; cups of soup, hot cocoa, individual coffee packs and tea bags. I have sent in the last box, a number of the hand warmers which skiers use that are disposable and can be put in the boots, gloves and in their hats. Also, thermal socks are an added comfort at night!

I sent my son a small stove that burns fuel tablets. It's small enough that he can carry it in his pocket and make instant soup, Easy Mac, instant oatmeal, or other snacks in his canteen cup. In his last e-mail home, he said that Peaches and Cream oatmeal was the best. He hasn't changed - this was a breakfast staple in our home when he was 3 years old and it's still a favorite, I guess. I also mail all food in plastic containers since it protects against weather conditions as well as both insects and mice.


Posted by Deb at 01:10 AM | Comments (2)





We are the ambassadors . . .

Marine Mom Janise sends along this update from the 6th ESB from Portland, OR, currently deployed in Iraq:

Merry Christmas to our Marine Corps family. We're now over the hump and are on our downhill portion of the deployment. Regardless of how the deployment has affected us (families included), we are all still very proud to be serving here. Our Battle Rhythm now includes our regular 1000 church service on Sundays with Chaplain Perez. We hold the service in the MWR building that the Marines constructed a few months back. Following the worship service, Capt Grimm, the Executive Officer (XO), opens up "Ram-Rods" beauty salon (his barbershop is now commonly referred to as beauty salon to be "PC" since he cuts both male and female Marines' hair). The 1stSgt, GySgt Taylor, has refused time and time again to allow the XO to cut his hair. I think the real reason is that he's afraid it may not grow back.

We're now experiencing the coldest of the desert temperatures. Highs are now in the low 50s and lows dip down into the mid 20s. Sgt Carpenter keeps looking for his ice fishing shack but can't seem to find it anywhere! It's especially cold considering that we were just experiencing the brutally arid & fantastically hot climate . . . not the bone chilling temperatures that we're now enduring.

We've hung our ornaments from the Christmas tree and I can't thank everyone enough for their efforts in making our Christmas in the field seem a little more like home-at least a taste of home. The Santa, the banner, the quilt with all of your pictures; Again, we appreciate your collective efforts in making this possible. Our Key Volunteer Network has been phenomenal and we pay honors to you as you get us through the home stretch of our deployment.

When we first learned of our re-deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom-II, I focused the Company training on three pillars: Moving, Shooting and Communicating. The three most dynamic facets of our environment. That training has paid off tremendously. I entrusted my faith and confidence in the abilities of our NCOs and they have repeatedly proven worthy of every ounce of it. Our good fortune continues as we progress through the deployment, and although it's not been without its bumps and bruises along the way, we've remained vigilant in our stance to protect each other. Again, our success can only be attributed to our young Warriors that are making things happen through quick and accurate decision making...Decisions that sometimes effect the success of the entire company.

Our pride and esprit de corps are as conspicuous as ever. I'm amazed at the numerous challenges and hurdles that we manage to overcome on seemingly a daily basis. And yet, the Marines seem un-phased as we continue to execute in the rich tradition that our Marine Corps forefathers set before us. They too would be proud of our accomplishments, and for the way that the Marines have bestowed honor among our sister services. We are the ambassadors of our families, our towns, our Marine Corps and our Country-to the people of Iraq and with our coalition partners.

The care packages and Christmas gifts that we've been receiving are more than abundant and again, words cannot thank you all enough. We have received so much that we felt that we too should share in our abundance . . . giving to the coalition forces that don't have as much as us, and to the children of Iraq. After all, as ambassadors of the United States, it is the impression that we leave with those children that will become our legacy and will eventually win this war that we're engaged in.

WISNER, M. P. CAPT USMC

Posted by Deb at 12:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 21, 2004



Making a Difference

Our troops do so much for us. Blessings to those who give back to them. Marine Mom Lori, with two sons in the Corps, passes along this heartwarming story of generosity and appreciation.

My oldest, Josh, came back from Iraq doubting (as "just a f*****' POG") that he accomplished anything worthwhile. No matter what I've said to him, he's been wondering if the time away from his new wife, and the rest of us, was wasted. He, like so many warriors, came back to a surprising amount of negative news and questions from people who delighted in asking incredibly stupid and insensitive questions. Even after some bad firefights, he thought he hadn't "really served".

Josh and his wife finally found an apartment. He's been back from Iraq since October, and they've been staying with friends. Not cheap by Oklahoma standards ($950 for a small two-bedroom) but at least it'll be home. They spent the morning packing their few belongings. They didn't have much money left after the rent and deposits, but decided they'd spend a bit on some used furniture and eat sparingly until payday.

They found a small used furniture store. Inside, they spotted a green leather couch and a nice coffee table. Josh figured that could do double duty as a place to eat, and they'd wait to find a table for the dining room. While his wife wandered around looking for dishes, Josh approached the clerk and told him they'd like to buy the sofa and table and told him he'd have to go back to the apartment, empty the Explorer then come back for the furniture. The man asked him, "Are you new to town?" Josh said "Kind of, Sir...I just got back from Iraq. It's our first apartment."

The man was silent a moment, then thanked Josh for his service, and told my son to look around and see if they could find anything else they might need. The man told him that the items were on sale for half price. Josh was pleasantly surprised, and decided they might be able to add a few more things, since they were getting the furniture for less than they originally thought. They looked around for a while, deciding on a few more things like dishes, a chair, a few lamps and something to hang on the living room wall.

Josh approached the man and asked what their total was. That man looked at my son and said "Go over to the register, give us twenty dollars, and we'll call it even."

Josh was stunned. He stammered "Are you sure? I...I...Thank you so much!" The man said "Don't you DARE thank ME. THANK YOU for what you boys are doing for US." Then he said he'd help take the furniture to the apartment for them. Color my boy even more amazed. At this point my daughter-in-law was in tears.

It gets better. After following the kids to the apartment and helping Josh unload, that man who had just given my son a new outlook on his experience post-combat earned even more of my eternal gratitude.

My DIL went to get her purse from the car to pay him for helping them. She got back to the curb as he drove off, waving. Josh was sitting on the curb with his head between his legs. Dakota thought he was praying. He was, but his face was white as a sheet when he looked up. Dakota said, "Babe, what's the matter?" Josh, sporting a serious case of eyeball sweat, said: "He just handed me a hundred-dollar bill and told me to take you out for a nice dinner."

After they got over the nausea and shock, they called me to share this blessing. I bawled like a baby, of course, then asked Josh if the man might have been a Marine, or a veteran. He said, "Oh my Gawd, I should have asked!" (Uh, yeah. Duh.)

My son, who'd spent the last several months doubting the worth of human nature after combat around Fallujah and Ramadi, kept babbling "He MUST have been an angel, Mom. He had to be, he just had to. That guy was an angel sent by God." (Of that, I have no doubts)

I told him, "Yes, honey, he could have been...he could also be "just" one of the grateful Americans I keep insisting are around. I TOLD you they exist. And I TOLD you that you DO make a difference. You may now allow me to say 'I TOLD you so!' " In a tearful, but smug-mama voice, of course.

The kids were at a loss wondering what they could do to thank this wonderful man. I suggested buying a USMC OIF flag, having his unit sign it, and presenting it to that dear, sweet man with many thanks. I plan to thank him as well - with a letter letting him know just what he's done for my son's faith and confidence (and mine). That man might never really fathom what his gesture meant to my family, but I'm going to bust my ass trying to tell him.

My Marine now realizes that what he does DOES make a difference. And hey, we moms just love being right.

Earlier this year, as my son prepared for his second deployment with 1/7, a former Marine who reads this blog sent me a gift certificate and asked me to take him to Ruth's Chris Steak House. We had a wonderful evening and our memories are augmented by the warmth and caring of a retired Marine who wanted to give my son a great meal before 7 months of MREs. Shane will never forget it and neither will I.

If you have an opportunity to bless someone in uniform this Christmas season - or any other time - go for it. Just a sincere "Thank you for serving" can make a difference.

Posted by Deb at 08:26 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack





Tragedy at FOB Marez

The news from Mosul today is heartbreaking and families all over the United States with a beloved son or daughter, husband or wife at FOB Marez, are holding their breath, waiting for a car in the driveway, a knock at the door, a greeting that begins "We regret to inform you...", words that will forever alter their family structure. It's a worry that family members of deployed troops always have running in the back of their minds - always.

Chaplain Lewis who ministers to the troops at FOB Marez shared his experience at the scene:

The day began early as I didn't sleep very well last night. Once I was awake I decided not to just lay there and stare at the darkness so I got up, got dressed, shaved and headed into the TOC, the heart of what goes on. In the TOC (Tactical Operations Center) they monitor several different radio nets to keep abreast of what is happing in the area. It's the place to be if you want up to the minute information. When I arrived it was fairly calm. I made small talk with the guys there and sipped that first cup of morning coffee. The day was clear and there was very little going on, or so it seemed. A very short while later we received the initial reports. In this area there are several "camps" or "posts" that house the various combat and support units that do the day to day fighting and working around here. The first report said that a mortar had just hit one of the nearby chow halls during the middle of lunch (I'm on GMT so my morning is actually the middle of the day). It's called a MASCAL or Mass Casualty event and it's where the rubber meets the road in military ministry. They said there were approximately 10 casualties. That was the extent of it so I kind of filed it away in the back of my mind and continued to sip my coffee. The next report wasn't so good. 10 dead and approximately 50 wounded. They were being transported to the Combat Surgical Hospital down the street. The Chaplain at the CSH is a good guy and I knew he'd be in need of help so I woke my assistant and we rushed to the hospital. I didn't expect what I saw.

The scene was little more than controlled chaos. Helicopters landing, people shouting, wounded screaming, bodies everywhere. As the staff began to triage the dead and wounded I found the chaplain and offered my assistance. He directed me to where he needed me and I dove in. I would be hard pressed to write about every person I had the opportunity to pray with today but I will try to relate a few.

I found Betty on a stretcher being tended by nurses. I introduced myself and held her hand. She looked up at me and said, "Chaplain, am I going to be alright?" I said that she was despite the fact that I could see she had a long road to recovery ahead of her. Most of her hair had been singed off. Her face was burnt fairly badly, although it didn't look like the kind of burns that will scar. What I do know is that it was painful enough to hurt just by being in the sun. I prayed with Betty and moved on.

Ilena (a made up name. She spoke very softly and had a thick accent so I couldn't really hear her) had been hit by a piece of shrapnel just above her left breast causing a classic sucking chest wound. The doctors said she had a hemothorax (I think that's what they called it) which basically meant her left lung was filling with blood and she was having a very hard time breathing. For the next 20 minutes I held her hand while a doctor made an incision in her left side, inserted most of his hand and some kind of medical instrument and then a tube to alleviate the pressure caused by the pooling blood. It was probably the most medieval procedure I have ever been privy to. In the end she was taken to ICU and will be OK.

Mark was put on a stretcher and laid along a wall. A small monitor on his hand would tell the nurses when he was dead. Even a cursory glance said it was inevitable. Mark had a head wound that left brain matter caked in his ear and all over the stretcher he was lying on. I knelt next to Mark and placed a hand on is chest. His heart was barely beating but it was beating so I put my face close to his ear to pray with him. If you've never smelled human brain matter it is something unforgettable. I had something of an internal struggle. He's practically dead so why stay? He probably can't hear anything! A prayer at that point seemed of little value. But I couldn't risk it. I prayed for Mark and led him in the sinners prayer as best I could. There are few things in this life that will make you feel more helpless. After that, I needed some fresh air.

I stepped outside and found the situation to be only slightly less chaotic. The number of body bags had grown considerably since I first went inside. I saw a fellow chaplain who was obviously in need of care himself. I stopped him and put my arm around him and asked how he was doing. A rhetorical question if ever I asked one. He just shook his head so I pulled him in close and prayed for his strength, endurance, a thick skin, and a soft heart. Then I just stood and breathed for a few minutes.

Regardless of what some may say, these are not stupid people. Any attack with casualties will naturally mean that eventually a very large number of care givers will be concentrated in one location. They took full advantage of that. In the middle of the mayhem the first mortar round hit about 100 to 200 meters away. Everyone started shouting to get the wounded into the hospital which is solid concrete and much safer than being in the open. Soon, the next mortar hit quite a bit closer than the first as they "walked" their rounds toward their intended target...us. Everyone began to rush toward the building. I stood at the door shoving as many people inside as I could. Just before heading in myself, the last one hit directly on top of the hospital. I was standing next to the building so was shielded from any flying shrapnel. In fact, the building, being built as a bunker took the hit with little effect. However, I couldn't have been more than 10 to 15 meters from the point of impact and brother did I feel the shock. That'll wake you up! I rushed inside to find doctors and nurses draped over patients, others on the floor or under something. I ducked low and quickly moved as far inside as I could.

After a few tense moments people began to move around again and the business of patching bodies and healing minds continued in earnest. As I stood talking with some other chaplain, an officer approached and not seeing us, yelled, "Is there a chaplain around here?" I turned and asked what I could do. He spoke to us and said that another patient had just been moved to the "expectant" list and would one of us come pray for him. I walked in and found him lying on the bed with a tube in his throat, and no signs of consciousness. There were two nurses tending to him in his final moments. One had a clipboard so I assumed she'd have the information I wanted. I turned to her and asked if she knew his name. Without hesitation the other nurse, with no papers, blurted out his first, middle, and last name. She had obviously taken this one personally. I'll call him Wayne. I placed my hand on his head and lightly stroked his dark hair. Immediately my mind went to my Grandpa's funeral when I touched his soft grey hair for the last time. And for the second time in as many hours I prayed wondering if it would do any good, but knowing that God is faithful and can do more than I even imagine. When I finished I looked up at the nurse who had known his name. She looked composed but struggling to stay so. I asked, "Are you OK?" and she broke down. I put my arm around her to comfort and encourage her. She said, "I was fine until you asked!" Then she explained that this was the third patient to die on her that day.


Visit his site and read the rest.

The families of the fallen troops will be in my prayers. Also, the surviving troops who will be tasked with boxing up the personal effects of those killed and wounded, and sending them home to grieving families. This would be so hard any time of the year but especially during the holiday season when our focus is on home and family and loved ones far away.

Posted by Deb at 07:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 20, 2004



Merry Christmas from MSSG 31

“Today, Everyone’s 21.”
Cpl Revere and Sgt Guerrero from MSSG 31 Motor Transport and Headquarters Detachments celebrate with “two beers and a shot” during a belated Marine Corps Birthday celebration.

LtCol James A. Vohr sends this Christmas greeting to friends and family of MSSG

Merry Christmas everybody and an up- front Happy New Year to all. I just looked at the calendar and realized it had been since the 4th of December since I had penned my last update and so that means it is time for another submission to let all know what we are doing.

Things have continued to be challenging here at Camp Fallujah and our daily missions have changed with the maturing situation in the City of Fallujah. We are all still busy, still working hard and that never seems to change. For the last few months, as some of you may realize, we have not had all of the Marines from the MSSG at the same location. Some have been spread out across different camps for one or more reasons which speak to the many different missions we have in this unit. We have, for example, a medical contingent and some of our disbursers and postal Marines who have remained with the MEU command element to provide support to them. They have been away from the MSSG, but have been performing missions no less important and have been doing a great job.

I stopped by the group aid station the other day, as I will often do, to see how our Sailors were doing. During the battle for Fallujah these professionals made an enormous difference and contribution. Every convoy or engineering project that went forward had the constant presence of a corpsman in the event a Marine was injured. Many of our Sailors spent many hours in vehicles or in the city of Fallujah. At daily sick call our corpsmen provided care for not only our Marines, but as I have mentioned before, the soldiers of adjacent Army units. At one point a group of Iraqi soldiers “discovered” our aid station and for a number of days appeared like clockwork to get dressings changed on battle wounds. Our medical logisticians made sure the infantry battalion aid stations located forward had the required supplies prior to even thinking about asking for them. I’m sure this made a difference to many a wounded Marine. We’ve also had corpsmen providing support to the detainee detention facilities at more than one base and in this effort have treated a variety of medical problems they never expected to see.

On of our busiest platoons as late have been our engineers. They have a tremendous amount of capabilities and I don’t think Marine engineers have been so consistently busy since the Vietnam War. They take care of field showers, mobile electric power, bulk fuel and water storage, mine detecting and sweeping, and horizontal construction. They are always in motion and doing a tremendous job supporting the mission.

An element of the MSSG you often don’t think about when it comes to combat service support is Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD). For years this tight knit community has focused on support to training ranges and rendering dud munitions safe. However, OIF has seen all of that change and the services of these experts in their field is in constant demand. They are always on the road, destroying anti-Iraqi forces arms caches or de-fusing and destroying improvised explosive devises. During the battle for Fallujah they spent many days providing direct support to the infantry battalions as they fought through the city. The fact they are so near the fight became obvious to us when one of them was seriously wounded as he worked to destroy munitions in a house that had not yet been cleared. Fortunately, he will be fine, but it demonstrates the nature of what we are doing and the challenges EOD and the rest of the MSSG face on a daily basis.

At the start of this letter I said Merry Christmas. I can certainly say for all we would rather be at home with you for the holidays. Since we can’t we are doing what we have time to do to ensure we recognize the season. For those inclined, there are many opportunities for worship services, as the chaplain corps is here in full force. For everyone too, we are having a “combat Christmas tree” contest to see which platoon can build the best tree with available materials. None of the parts can be store bought, and you should see what the Marines are coming up with as entries. I will be sure and get pictures and post them to the website. We are also having opportunities for the Marines and Sailors to see movies and are running a talent show as well. Finally, the boxes and mail are really flowing, something we all appreciate. Thanks for the continued efforts.

Well, until next time and as always, I’m proud and you should be proud of the Marines and Sailors of MSSG 31. It is an honor to serve with them.

Thanks for all your support

Sincerely,

J. Alex Vohr


Posted by Deb at 03:05 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack





Grizzly Greetings

Linda Kelly, Marine Mom currently living near Yellowstone Park, put her professional photography skills to good use for her Christmas cards this year. Here's her holiday greeting for all of you.

Linda's also looking for high resolution images of deployments, homecomings, facial expressions of emotion, Marines in combat, Iraqis, Iraq in general, boot camp, flags, yellow ribbons and fallen soldier images (approved by surviving families) to be used for a slide presentation for the Marine Parents convention next summer. Editors and photographers can contact Linda Kelly for details at Westone Publishing, 3 Crevice Mountain Road, Jardine, MT 59030.

Posted by Deb at 01:38 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 18, 2004



For all you do . . .

Photos by Gunnery Sgt. Chago Zapata

Marines work hard but they know how to play too. Here are pictures of Beer Day, held last Sunday at FOB Hotel. Marines and sailors with 1/4, 11th MEU each received the day off and two beers and a very small bottle of rum. Flag football, ping pong, volleyball and spades tournaments and other activities were arranged by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation representative.


Posted by Deb at 02:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 17, 2004



Shopping List

If you're stumped on what to get your favorite Marine Corps Mom or Dad, you can't go wrong with a t-shirt. We sold these last year to raise funds for our Backpacks for Iraq project (we sent 5,000 lbs. of school supplies to Najaf) and have a supply left. Here are pictures:


Gail Loffler and Deb Conrad wore their I Raised A Marine shirts to the 1/7 redeployment last October. Here, they help decorate the fences along Adobe Road at the entrance to the Marine base.

The shirts are available in both white and black. This logo says it all. We have a few sweatshirts left too.
Most of the shirts have plain backs, but we have a few left of the Spring Break 2003 shirts. If your Marine was deployed last year, this is a must-buy.

Send your orders to Connie at sales@marinecorpsmoms.com. Prices are:

$15.00 - shirts (plus postage)

$25.00 - sweatshirts (plus postage)

This year, sales will cover remaining administrative expenses for Operation Santa and costs of running this website.


Posted by Deb at 01:44 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack





None

I'm catching up on my reading and this entry from the Korean War era made me smile:

In the rear of the action, in an R&R area there were two seperate camps. The first was a well equipped U.S. Army camp that served high quality hot food and had warm sleeping areas. The other was a shabby collection of second-hand tents with poor quality services available to the war-weary Marines.

The Army camp sported a large elaborate sign at the front gate which stated "Within these walls reside soldiers who are second to none." In front of the Marine camp was hung a handpainted sign which simply read,

"NONE."

Posted by Deb at 12:36 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





Dear Hero: America is counting on you

Chaplain Rosa, 24th MEU, writes:

"Dear Hero"... so began a letter I received from a third grade school student from a Christian school in Pennsylvania who was writing to encourage a then anonymous service member-me.

"...It's really nice of you to do what you are doing! I think that's amazing! America is counting on you. I always wanted to be a hero. So be proud that you're one.... It would be cool if you wrote me back! May God be with you!" Sincerely, Toni V.

Hero? I have never thought of myself as a hero. Heroes for me tended to be those people who are larger than life, who achieve major accomplishments and go on to legendary status. Then again I stopped to think what this thir