Message from Mamudiya

Jarhead Dad relayed the following message - sent from the Battalion Commander for the 2/2 Marines:

Hello Warlord families!

We miss you! I’d like to take a few minutes to pass on what the battalion has been up to during the past thirty days. To say that we have been busy would be the understatement of the decade and I must tell you that your Marines and Sailors have been amazing not only with their flexibility and ability to adapt to changing missions and locations, but they have been amazing in terms of their courage and tenacity.

As of the 19th of April we were still in our original location of Mahmudiya (about 30 miles South of Bagdhad) and we were making significant progress in developing and improving the relationships and security situation in the four major urban centers of Mahmudiya Qada (county). Easy Company had been working in Mahmudiya city proper, Fox had been focusing its operations in Latifiyah, Golf in Yusafiyah, Weapons in Rasheed, CAAT across the AO in a Quick Response Force role and our H&S Company…as always focuses everywhere supporting every conceivable facet of our operations. Simultaneously, the 81mm mortar platoon had been making significant strides in training and conducting operations with the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps Battalion that had been started under our predecessors in the US Army’s 82d Airborne Division.

We had seen an increase in both security and “winning the hearts and minds” through the diligent and compassionate work of our Marines and Sailors, but because we also had pushed our forces into areas that had until now, been unaddressed, we also saw a significant increase in combat operations. The events in Fallujah, Najaf and Karbala that occurred right before and just after Easter resulted in a significant spike in activity as many radicals and terrorists began to take action wherever they could to try to stir up hate within the populace. The Warlords responded and at one point the comment of our enemies was that “The Marines are everywhere…we can’t do anything.” At that point the battalion had been conducting intense 24/7 operations since about 4 April to provide a secure environment for the Shiite Arbaeen celebration (40 days following any Muslim holiday-the traditional mourning period-Muslims celebrate an “Arbaeen”).

The terrorists changed tactics to try to stop traffic along the major highways and the battalion responded by refocusing its efforts along the main artery running through our area and shut the enemy activity down there completely. Just as we were getting ready to re-energize our efforts throughout the Qada, we received orders to re-embark the entire battalion, move to a completely different base and then begin operations in an entirely new area. We moved our force from Mahmudiya to “Camp Fallujah” west of Baghdad and immediately began split operations. Golf Company assisted 2d Bn, 1st Marines to the Northwest of Fallujah at a place called Saclawejah, Easy assisted 1/5 along the southern portion of Fallujah and the remainder of the Battalion began operations to the Northeast of Fallujah at a place called Al Kharma (also commonly known as “Bad Kharma”). At any rate, each part of the battalion executed combat operations that included some violent engagements with the enemy and the recovery of significant amounts of terrorist weapons, ammunition and bomb making material.

After only about five days, H&S performed miracles again and the battalion then moved in force to the southern portion of Fallujah and slammed the back door on the terrorists operating in the city. Almost immediately upon our arrival, the battalion became decisively engaged and built on the situation Easy Company had been developing over the past five days. Easy and Fox, supported by Tanks, Armored Vehicles, 81mm mortars and our superb snipers began to wreak havoc upon the terrorists within Fallujah.

After only 48 hours of fighting, the battalion had succeeded in killing between 100 and 200 of the terrorists, leveled a portion of southern Fallujah and in the words of our Regimental Commander “broke the back” of the resistance in Fallujah. Within hours, the terrorists were at the negotiating table proposing a solution that developed in to what is now known as the Fallujah Brigade. Throughout those intense days, the battalion performed magnificently and earned a very key place in the history of the Regiment’s history.

As the Fallujah Brigade entered the city, we reluctantly departed our positions and entered what would be our fourth operating area in less than a month. We are now conducting operations east of Fallujah in an area that had, until now, been largely ignored. Our presence alone brought the rats scurrying out to engage. The result of our operations has been the virtual elimination of indirect fire attacks against key coalition facilities, the development of millions of dollars of civil affairs projects, the disruption of terrorist operations in what was once on of the most volatile areas in Iraq, and, through the superb efforts of Golf Company and our Counter Intelligence Teams, the discovery of the largest series of weapons caches in Iraq to date!

Throughout the past month, the Marine’s living conditions have varied from a firm base in Mahmudiya where they had access to a gym, internet, showers and two hot meals a day, to fighting holes and 100 degree heat, to bombed out buildings in Fallujah to abandoned buildings and open fields. Operations have been at once defensive and offensive and have reflected what has become known as the “three block war” where your Marines and Sailors are conducting full up combat on one block, peacekeeping on the next and humanitarian operations on the other. Access to the internet has been spotty at best, but we are now in a situation where we can rotate platoons back to our current location for showers, hot chow, and a brief period of rest and refit before they re-attack the missions we execute every day.

Snail mail has been regular for the most part given our hobo status, and your cards, letters and packages have been the most welcome thing you can imagine. Mail and the occasional hot shower are the highlights of our existence here and your support through the mail is literally the rock upon which we draw our strength. Thanks!

Throughout one of the busiest months in the storied history of the battalion, the Warlords acquitted themselves in the finest tradition of their predecessors from Tarawa and you should all be incredibly proud of them. As a result of those intense operations, we have had many wounded, and tragically lost two of our own to the cowards that do not have the fortitude to fight us openly. I ask that each of you remember their families in the prayers that you say for all of us every night and keep the faith that we are talking care of each other and that we are doing what Marines do … we are winning!

I must also tell you that one of the reasons we are winning, is because of the incredible support we receive every day from you all at home. The Key Volunteers in particular have done an amazing job of juggling the worries associated with this kind of a deployment while simultaneously providing that unique kind of help across the battalion that makes Marine and Navy families so very special. There are no words that can possibly describe the combat multiplier that you are, but take my word for the fact that your actions have saved lives, because your Warlords have been able to focus on the mission here. God Bless you.

As you can see, the battalion has done more in a month’s time than many do in years and done so under intense combat conditions. You should all be immensely proud of your Marines and Sailors. I am and I can honestly tell you that the battalion’s success has been the result of a magnificent team effort from the Staff, the Companies, our Regiment and the Division here and at Camp LeJeune. We were set up for success and we are winning because of it.

In closing, I must tell you that I have the privilege of walking in the shadow of greatness every day. The Marines and Sailors of Task Force 2/2 have exceeded every expectation and excelled in every mission. In a short e-mail to my wife after a ceremony I recently conducted I said the following:

“As I award these young men their medals as they stand in front of me in their combat gear, sweaty, dirty and so very young I am struck by the purity of their service to our nation and to each other. They accept the recognition but more often than not are embarrassed by it, and always concerned more for the welfare of those wounded along with them. They personify those things that so many people speak of but can never really know; the feeling of camaraderie, the commitment to the point of death to the men around them, and the unspoken hardness of their patriotism. God they are a blessing to me… and I feel so unworthy to stand in front of them to offer them such a small token. I feel inadequate and humbled to be in their shadow, regardless of their age and I walk away feeling so damned honored to be with them.”

I am honored to know each of you to have been given the rare privilege of leading your husbands under difficult conditions. It is an honor that I will never forget and a debt that I can never repay. Please know that we miss you and love you all.

God Bless each of you, God Bless America, and Semper Fi from your Marines and Sailors in Iraq.

Humbly,

Giles Kyser
LtCol USMC
“Warlord Six”

LtCol Kyser's observation, "In closing, I must tell you that I have the privilege of walking in the shadow of greatness every day." is an amazing observation. We owe our freedom to that shadow of greatness. This is Military Appreciation month. Have you thanked a Marine - or a soldier, sailor, or air man/woman - today?

Posted by Deb at 01:37 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 25, 2004

Spirit of America with the 1/5

Photo by Sgt. Jose E. Guillen

Boys at a newly renovated school in Kharma show off their new book bags filled with school supplies. The 3rd Civil Affairs Group team, attached to the 1st Battalion, 5th Marines passed out the bags on May 22nd. Spirit of America, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit organization, sponsored the battalion with more than 1,500 book bags, school and medical supplies and toys.

Posted by Deb at 02:18 PM

Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body

Yesterday, Gold's Gym in Salem, Oregon threw a block party and the Marines showed up. Rich Scott, District Manager for Gold's Gym explained, "This emphasizes the value of training as well as the importance of community awareness."

And the Marines put a few good men and women through a bit of training.

	Gunny Dukes, from the Salem Marine Corps Recruiting Office, and Rich Scott, district manager for Gold's Gym, stand tall in the shadow of a mighty Devil Dog.
Malik Mitchell and Sgt. McKee (Albany Recruiting Office) compete on the obstacle course.
	Malik Mitchell and Terrance Gibson accept the pull-up challenge from the Marines. The Marine on the far left is Pvt. Bergerson who is home on leave after graduating from boot camp. He will return to Camp Pendleton next month for Marine Combat Training. His reason for joining the Corps? "I looked at all the branches and decided if I'm going to do it, I'll do it right"
Terrance Gibson will attempt 20 pull-ups - enough to qualify for a t-shirt.

Over 100 people showed up for hamburgers, pizza, and ice cream . . . and a chance to talk with the Few and the Proud.

Today, the Army and the Navy will share the spotlight at Gold's Gym in Albany. Tomorrow, you'll find them at the new Keizer location.

Thanks, Gold's Gym, Costco, Cold Stone, and the community for showing up to support our troops.

Posted by Deb at 01:13 PM

A note from a 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment Marine wife

The following request is made on behalf of the 3/7 Marines and their families:

When you find yourself playing a new role in your life, the family member of a marine or soldier, things change. You watch the headlines daily, pray like never before, and try to make a connection to your son or daughter overseas.

Such as it was for the moms, wives and girlfriends of the marines of 3/7. One by one, these women became connected and have created an email relationship that offers support and information of their loved ones. On this Memorial Day, at 11:00CST, these families will be lighting a candle to show their love and support of their marines and to honor and pay tribute to their fallen comrades.

What makes this special is that the Marines of 3/7 will be observing a moment of silence at the same time, 8:00 p.m. in Iraq, when they reflect upon their families back home and their friends who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The families of these Marines ask that you please join us in supporting not only the 3/7, but all of our service men and women, and light a candle on Memorial Day. Your show of support is appreciated by our military and their families far more than you could know.

Pacific - 9am
Mountain - 10am
Central - 11am
Eastern - 12pm

Posted by Deb at 12:19 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

May 24, 2004

I'll Fly Away

Martha, a Marine Corps mom from Tennessee represented Marine Corps parents everywhere at the funeral last week for LCpl Jeremiah Savage who was killed May 12 in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. Here is Martha's narrative of this final goodbye to another fallen hero.

Yesterday was one of those "scattered shower" days. It fit our emotions, because by the end of the day 4 Marine Mothers and a Marine Dad would experience the dark clouds, the rain and the warm sunshine. Donna, CJ, Linda, Mike and I drove 2 hours and 100 years from Nashville to a tiny town in east Tennessee to pay our respects to LCpl Jeremiah Savage. This beloved Marine lost his life while handing out school supplies and candy to the Iraqi children just 12 days ago.

Livingston, Tennessee is Amaricana at its best. A perfect town square with an old courthouse in the center. American flags all around. On many signs around town were words honoring LCpl Jeremiah Savage. Livingston is the kind of place where we could just ask anyone where the funeral was, and get directions.

We were too late for the official honor escort where all of the official cars in the county drove through town, with lights and sirens going. Everyone in town came out and stood with their hands on their hearts or saluted. This was their boy. I got to see that on the 10:00 news.

The church sits on the top of a hill surrounded by tall, full trees. The small church was full of stained glass, old pews and love. We had arrived early for the service, so we had time to watch the slide show of Jeremiah's life. Baby pictures, Halloween, sports....just an American boy growing up with his brother and sisters in a home where his sweet mother loved them all. I found Jeremiah's mother and gave her the stack of notes from all of you. She was very appreciative and thanked me over and over. We hugged twice- the kind of hug that is shared by Marine mothers, the kind that really doesn't need words. I told her we would keep in touch.

As usual at these kinds of services, there was a diverse group of folks. The fire and rescue squad was there, the sherriff's department. There were several American Indians there and I found them to possess a particular air of dignity. Overall, in the tiny church there was a "Glorious lack of sophistication" right up to the moment the United States Marines entered the building.

During the service, we sang "I'll Fly Away" because it was Jeremiah's favorite hymn. We also sang the National Anthem and The Marine Corp Hymn...my first time to hear all the words since boot camp graduation. Most of the Marine parents couldn't make it all the way through the last verse. The minister spoke, Jeremiah's High School coach, and an outstanding young Marine Lt. He was perfect. At the end of the service, an old man played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes and we all followed the family and the Marines out to the front lawn of the church. The rain had stopped, and the late afternoon sun made everything glisten. The family and the rest of us stood in front of the church and Marines stretched down both sides of the hill. Seven of them executed a perfect 21 gun salute. As we silently listened to Taps, the old Indian woman looked up and pointed to a huge, single bird that was flying back and forth over the crowd. She smiled and was clearly saying a prayer. It is a moment that will never leave me.

As the service was over, we all headed straight for the Marines, and I am happy to tell you that we got fabulous hugs from each and every one. And of course I told each and every one to call his mama. Many of the towns people were in line to thank them for their service to our country.

LCpl Jeremiah Savage, son of the South, American Hero will be buried in Arlington Cemetery on Thursday, May 27th, 2004. He will take his rightful place among America's finest. But in my heart, I know that for the rest of my life, when I sing, "I'll Fly Away," I will remember Jeremiah Savage and the huge, magnificent bird who flew over us, and flew away on a special afternoon in Tennessee.

It was an honor to have been there.

With love and respect,
Martha

Martha, thank you for representing the rest of us. Connie and I recently attended the Coos Bay funeral for LCpl Gary van Leuven who was killed in Husaybah on April 17. He was a 3/7 Marine, as is Connie's son Bill. We took notes of condolence from all over the United States to give to LCpl van Leuven's mother, and we hope to visit with her soon.

On Wednesday, we will attend the funeral of LCpl Bob Roberts. Again, we will take notes of condolence from all who wish to send them. And, we hope this will be the last funeral we will attend for these fallen heroes.

Posted by Deb at 09:32 AM | Comments (2)

Troops are doing their best

This note was written by a 19-year old Marine currently deployed with the 3/7 Marines in Iraq. His wife, pregnant and waiting for him back home, is fiercely proud of his words and wants the world to hear them.

I am from Kelso, and a 2002 grad. I am a U.S. Marine over here in Iraq right now, and I am reading about all the things being said about the prisoners being mistreated and people trying to blame President Bush and everyone else higher.

You all make me sick. You forget these people are trying to kill us everyday. The good people over here can't even wave at us or thank us any more, because they kill them also.

We have lost lives here trying to make it a better place. When we get someone who tried to kill us or set up a bomb to take a lot of us out, would you like us to give them a pat on the back, invite them to our town or maybe your house? Then you could cook them a great meal after they try to kill your family and friends.

If you still think we should treat them like a king, you should come over here and show us how it's done. After all, you have all the experience, right?

All I am trying to say is stand behind us. We are doing what we can to come home safe and help this country.

D. F., Iraq

Posted by Deb at 09:31 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

May 23, 2004

More news from the front

Here's another update from Col. Tucker who commands the RCT-7 in Iraq.

Dated 22 May 2004

The enemy has returned to the tactics of the weak….primarily coming after us with IEDs. And not with very much success. The Marines are very competent at finding the things now and, more importantly, local Iraqis, Iraqi Police, and Iraqi militia are telling us where they are or destroying them on their own. That is a significant step towards our ultimate goal. Much of our effort has turned to training Iraqi Security Forces (ISF); both on joint patrols and in training centers we have built over the last months. Result is a quantum improvement in ISF confidence and capabilities and the development of trust and camaraderie between ISF and the Marines conducting the training.. This training combines with our efforts to improve the quality of the average Iraqi life…hard to shoot at someone who is building you a school. The RCT has put almost $5M against schools, clinics, water projects, sewage projects, and ISF infrastructure. We are starting to see the fruits of our efforts This is a mission requiring patient persistence and it is working. Please keep that in the back of your mind when the nay-sayers start screaming.

Have some more pictures today. Good feedback on the last set, but some very nice complaining that it was all 3/7 and why can't my _______ (son, husband…fill in the blank) unit get his picture in the newsletter blah, blah, blah….Ok..well, I listened to the first part before turning off. Ergo, more pictures. None of 3/7 though…so all of you 3/7 wives and Moms can skip to the bottom.

	The top of Haditha Dam, looking east over the Euphrates. Probably the prettiest (and coolest) location in our AO. 2/7, 3/4 , E 2/11 and Small Craft Company have all lived and operated here. Currently occupied by 3/4 and Small Craft Company.
Final moments of relaxation before patrol. Marines from 3/4 about 20 minutes before departing friendly lines. Top of Haditha Dam.
	RCT-7 Headquarters, Al Asad Air Base.
Life in Iraq, Scene I: When you come into a village and 3 minutes later see a teenage boy hauling ass to the sheep pen with a knife, you know you are going to be there for awhile. CWO3 Eby, RCT Gunner, enjoying lamb off the grill with cucumbers, tomatoes, and flat bread. Iraqi in cammies behind him is a Lt. in the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps.
	Life in Iraq, Scene II: Trailer camp at Al Asad. HQCO and elements of 3/4, 1st LAR and Force Recon Co live here. Affectionately nicknamed "the tins" "the box" . All have beds and a locker. Comes complete with trailer showers and heads.

Read today that the New York Times has decided we've lost the war. Amazing to me how so much intelligence can contain so little intellect. Our mission here is to provide a foundation of security---through our actions and our training of ISF---so that the rule of law and a functioning civil administration can take root. That mission is being executed with success across the 1st Marine Division AO. We see that success in the emerging professionalism and competence of the ISF, in the willingness of the Iraqi people to begin to provide for their own security, and in the daily improvements to Iraqi quality of life and economy. Not sure what war the NYT is writing about, but its not the one I'm in.

Speaking of the media: for those of you, who have heard or read of the "wedding" incident, remember this: Iraqis get married on Mondays and Thursdays. They do not get married on Wednesday mornings. They don't get married at 3 a.m. on Wednesday mornings. They don't get married in the middle of a wadi in the middle of a bleak desert 6 miles from the Syrian border at 3 a.m. on a Wednesday morning. We do not target civilians. We do kill terrorists and terrorist leadership. And we make very damned certain they are terrorists before we kill them.

RCT-7 remembers the sacrifices of LCpl B. W. Roberts, Company C, 1st CEB and Cpl R. Salas, 1st LAR, killed in the line of duty vicinity Al Asad, Iraq. Please remember their families and loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.

Share your courage.

C.A. Tucker
Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps
CO, RCT-7.

Thank you, Col Tucker for sharing your courage with us. We will attend LCpl Robert's funeral on Wednesday and will print out and take any notes of condolence that are left in comments or e-mailed to us.

Posted by Deb at 04:51 PM | Comments (1435) | TrackBack

2/2 Marines Update

USN news reporter PO Sean Galloway reports that morale among the Marines is good despite conflict. LtCol Giles Kyser, CO of 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, commented:

"I really wish each and every one of you had the opportunity to watch what these young men do here every single day. To walk in the shadow of greatness. That may sound corny, but that's what it is. Even when these Marines are wounded, their first question to me is 'Hey sir, how's my buddy?' And then they tell me, 'Hey, this isn't going to slow me down, sir, I'll be back in the fight.' That's the kind of young men they are. It's absolutely amazing."

These pictures of the 2/2 Marines were sent along by Jarhead Dad:

Posted by Deb at 11:24 AM