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February 07, 2005
Constant attacks need constant prayer
I've mentioned before that there isn't a lot of news coming from Husaybah, current home to 1/7 Baker Company. There's a reason for that. Even though it's one of the hottest spots in Iraq - and has been for months - there are no embedded reporters. Tim Perry with the L.A. Times recently visited Al Qaim, home base for the rest of 1/7. Here's a snippet from his interview with 1/7 battalion commander, LtCol Chris Woodbridge:
Woodbridge said the Marine camp north of Al Qaim in the town of Husaybah is under such constant attack from rockets and mortars that he takes only essential missions there and has declined to bring in Marine brass for inspection tours.
In a phone conversation yesterday with my son, I asked him about some misinformation I'd received recently about a "fender bender" involving his squad. He said, "I guess you could call it a fender blown all to hell. It blew out the windows in a building 2 kilometers away." Turns out it was a suicide bomber that detonated outside the building his squad was in . . . the engine block landed 300 yards away. No Marines were seriously injured, thank God. He also mentioned, casually mentioned, that he'd had an up close meeting with a sniper's bullet that same week. It smashed into the wall he stood next to, missing him by 4 inches. All in a days work for Marines on the Syrian border.
Thanks to everyone who is praying for him and all our Marines. It's working.
Posted by Deb at February 7, 2005 09:52 PM
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Prayer issued. I also prayed, and do often, that the insurgents will find a way to see the good for the good and have a change in their hearts and agendas and join the large majority of the Iraqis to make a better place for themselves.
Semper Fi. -Yarbz
Posted by: Yarbz at February 8, 2005 04:31 AM
The one serious thing I do everyday is pray for a positive result in Iraq. I pray for the troops and for their families. I pray for the American people and for our newly adopted Iraqis.
Every human being has a right to freedom--I know this is what you are working on--I know you are doing the best job you can at the level that you can.
I want you all to know that this is truly my favorite site. I use this site to express my unpopular opinions and I am truly grateful that Deb has invited me to continue to comment, although she has made it plain that she often disagrees with me. You are a voice for the common good, Deb, and I can see that you are a true leader. I am considering other outlets for expression, but so far, this site is the best one that I can find.
This nation is very young but has done much in its short history to make the world a better place.
I envision a glorious role for the future of the Marine Corps. It is important to bolster the involvement of the Marine Corps on the world stage, as has been done. I believe that by mid-century, the United States Marine will be seen by the world as a true protector of human interests. I believe war is sometimes necessary, but only if the ultimate goal is peace--I think that is the intention of the Corps and the American people in general.
So, I continue to pray for your success...
MATTSON
Posted by: Mattson at February 8, 2005 06:52 AM
About the car bomb, it was an explosive loaded suburban. 6 marines were injured, none seriously, my son John was medivaced as were some of the others. He will be fine. He is now on his way back to his unit. The Marines took great care of him, saw that he got to a phone to call me and later 29 Palms called. What a wonderful organization. I am so thankful. Keep praying everybody, it works!
Liz
Posted by: Liz Gruttadaurio at February 8, 2005 04:36 PM
I don't know what to say to you two ladies. You have such wonderful young men and both came so close to death. They are doing the actual winning of the freedom for these people with guns in their hands from morning til night. Such little time to rest and reflect on the good things they are doing. I will pray harder for these wonderful Marines and their safety. I worry about my son constantly over there and yet he is far safer than yours (I think). He would give anything to be there with your Marines, I know because he is that kind of person, but I guess I am being selfish and am so glad I do not have to hear these reports from him, missing a bullet and have one hurt. My worries are less but my fears are just as great, anything can happen at any time as we hear the stores of the suicide missions, mess tents being fired on, rockets being fired, etc. I haven't been able to watch the news on TV since my son went over, I know I am in denial of the real world over there, but I can't bring myself to watch it. I know it's awful but your news has just hit me like a ton of bricks. I just don't know how to express how I feel for both of you. I do want to tell you though that all the families and the Marines are constantly on my mind. I pray this will stop and the all come home safely. Bless you brave moms and your courageous Marines. I hope they come home soon to your open arms. I love you all.
Posted by: Sandy A at February 8, 2005 08:24 PM
To all of you parents and wives I pray everyday for all of them to come home safely. I am a Marine wife and I don't know how I am going to feel when my son goes over in the future. Tonight I will ask my higher power to please hear all of our prayers and bring all of our military home safely and I wil pray that the people shooting our guys will stop...I am not good with words but know that everyone is in my prayers.
Mary Helen
Posted by: Mary Helen Bartch at February 8, 2005 09:49 PM
My son is a LCpl with the 1/7. He told me about the conditions they would be living under long before they deployed; they were all warned up front how dangerous it would be. LtCol Woodbridge's calling it the wild wild west border town is quite accurate. The very fact Woodbridge acknowledge the area was "too dangerous for the brass to visit" but our Marines are there with lousy food, barely adequate shelter, spotty mail call and ammo should tell you the whole story. The 1/7 Marines should ALL be awarded medals from the Marine Corp for their unsung heriocs above and beyond the call of duty.
I pray for them several times a day and for all our Marines and their families.
God bless our Marines and the families waiting for their return.
Becca
PMM of LCpl Aaron
PM of Firefighter/EMT Drew
Posted by: Becca at February 9, 2005 09:18 AM