Dear Wives, Family Members, and Friends, We have finally reached December and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, the Company is focused and continuing on in its mission. I wish I could express to you the fantastic job that your Marines are doing. The hours are long; the gear is heavy, and the mission tedious. Still, their spirit is not broken and their will unbreakable. If only the news can see these guys the way I do.

Congratulations go out to our newly promoted Marines: Cpl. Johnson, Cpl. Devers, LCpl. Gutierrez, LCpl. Manjuarrez, and Pfc. Lewis. Meritoriously Promoted is Cpl. Merrill. Good Job!

Now I want to focus on you, the wives, families, and friends of Alpha Company. This is my 21st year of service in the Corps and I have never seen the kind of support we are receiving. Every time we go to pick up our mail, we have to use the HMMWV to do it. A mountain of letters and packages are delivered every three or four days. We have received hygiene items, magazines, games, books, and many different types of food and Christmas decorations. To my amazement, we even received full sized Christmas Trees. I must admit that the most important things we have received are your encouraging words and love. From wives to schoolchildren, from Veterans to teachers, from girl friends to people whom we don’t even know, the letters role in. Thank you.

Soon Christmas and New Years will be upon us and these are hard times to be separated from the one you love. Soon that day will come. The sun will rise and he will be home. Until that time comes, I can assure you we will keep his head in the game. I will leave you with this quote, which seems very appropriate at this time.

General Douglas MacArthur, US Army:
"I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!"

Semper Fidelis,
1stSgt Weir A. M.