The Home Front

At eleven minutes after midnight on June 6, 1944, British Lieutenant Noel Poole jumped from a Stirling plane flying over the Cherbourg peninsula, the first of nearly 175,000 British, Canadian, and American forces to enter Normandy by air or by sea. A few hours later, people all over America listened, transfixed, to their radios as an announcer proclaimed, ?Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force has just announced that the invasion has begun. Repeat, D-Day has come.? In Britain, the announcement was just as terse; ?Under the command of General Eisenhower, Allied naval forces supported by strong air forces began landing Allied armies this morning on the coast of France.? These messages were confirmation of what had been widely surmised ? an immense invasion of the European continent from Britain had begun. By that evening, three airborne divisions of the allied air forces had joined the battle, bombed relentlessly in preparation for ground assault forces and provided protection for over 5,000 boats and ships (from small landing crafts to large battleships) in the English Channel. That armada provided essential cover for the allied troops who fought their way across the beaches of the Normandy coast.

And, all across America and Britain, those who waited at home listened, held their breath and prayed for a swift victory. A Montana news reporter having breakfast in a Helena café °ut it this way. ?The news was first met with unbelief and then rapt silence. Food was forgotten. Not a single voice was raised in request for service; no one wanted anything. They only sat and listened, and wondered.?

No one group wondered more than parents, relatives and friends of deployed troops. Unlike the current war on terror, many more people were directly impacted. With the draft, almost every family had a husband, son, daughter, nephew, niece, or friend serving. And, folks back home were willing and ready to do their part. They bought war bonds. Women rolled bandages and knitted socks and hats. Men who could not fight worked in defense plants, making rifles, airplanes, ammunition, and uniforms. Families planted Victory Gardens. Sugar, gasoline, and other commodities were rationed so that precious resources could be diverted to the troops.

In contrast, many current families have no direct connection with the current military operations taking part primarily in Iraq and Afghanistan. No one in their immediate or extended family is part of the armed forces. They are disconnected from the conflict. There are few sacrifices; indeed, there seems to be a concerted effort to make this war as painless as possible for folks back home. However, people want to be part of this. In the days following September 11, 2001, blood banks were standing room only. They?ve donated almost $2 million to the Spirit of America effort. Volunteers in Oregon and all over the country are sewing neck coolers and knitting socks and hats to provide comfort and a bit of home.

The warriors who fought the battle of Normandy had thoughts of home. The Band of Brothers HBO documentary included interviews with surviving heroes. Quite a few of them described their mothers as an inspiring force. Nights in foxholes were spent writing letters home.

During the major hostilities of Operation Iraqi Freedom, many of our troops carried pictures of their mothers, wives, and family members into battle. And, evening news clips showed tanks rolling into Baghdad with Marines and soldiers holding up signs that read Hi Mom!. Embedded reporters lent satellite phones to injured soldiers so that they could call family. E-mail brought instant communication. But the emotions of war do not change. Mothers and fathers of deployed troops worry as much today as they did 60 years ago.

On D-Day, America shut down. Macy?s Department store closed early. The president of Lord & Taylor announced, ?The store is closed. The invasion has begun. Our only thought can be of the men who are fighting in it. We have closed our doors because we know our employees and customers who have loved ones in battle will want to give this day to hopes and prayers for their safety.? Wall Street opened, following a two minute silent prayer. And the Wall Street Journal focused on the economic impact of the invasion. The headline on June 7 read,

Broadway closed its doors and actors performed for stateside troops. Donations were collected to benefit enlisted men and women. Not all entertainers stood in solidarity. A New Yorker correspondent noted that radio actors were upset that the day?s soap opera programming had been pre-empted by war news.

On the first day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, families all over America with loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan held their breath and prayed for the safety of our troops. At the same time, large anti-war rallies broke out in cities all across America. Business continued as usual. Some stores gave discounts to families with military ID. And the Academy Awards went on as scheduled, although celebrities eschewed glitter and jewels. And Michael Moore used his platform as a bully pulpit to denounce our troops' Commander in Chief. To the audience?s credit, there were boos throughout the crowd. That didn?t faze the boor on the stage, who owed his opportunity to speak freely to our troops who, for the past 230 years have bravely fought to preserve liberty for all.

On June 6, 1944, families and friend waited breathlessly for news. And there were far few reporters on the scene. None were embedded. Correspondents on board various ships could report what they saw, planes overhead, smoke on the beach, other ships, but could only guess at what was happening on shore. That did not stop broadcasters from reporting. If there were no news, they repeated previous reports. They mangled pronunciation of the French towns and regions. They provided armchair quarterbacking of the military effort. Sixty years later, some things haven?t changed much.

The cost, in human terms, was staggering. Almost 5,000 casualties, including approximately 2,000 dead on that one day, D-Day. One day. Families all across America received that dreaded knock at the door where a Western Union telegram notified them of their ultimate contribution to the war effort ? a beloved husband or precious son. Was it worth it? Twenty years later, General Eisenhower stood on Omaha Beach, looking out at the English Channel. He commented,

?You see these people out here swimming and sailing their little pleasure boats and taking advantage of the nice weather and the lovely beach, Walter, and it is almost unreal to look at it today and remember what it was.

But it?s a wonderful thing to remember what those fellows twenty years ago were fighting for and sacrificing for, what they did to preserve our way of life. Not to conquer any territory, not for any ambitions of our own. But to make sure that Hitler could not destroy freedoms in the world.

I think it?s just overwhelming. To think of the lives that were given for that principle, paying a terrible price on this beach alone, on that one day, 2000 casualties. But they did it so that the world could be free. It just shows what free men will do rather than be slaves.?

Sixty years after D-Day, American troops once again fight along brave British forces to bring those same freedoms to another part of the world. Will it take twenty years for their bravery and sacrifices to be recognized as a ?wonderful thing??

Don?t make them wait. Thank a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine today ? those who are serving or have served in the past. And, if you know of a family with a deployed service member, thank them too. Each of the thousands of men who fell on June 6, 1944 had loved ones at home. So do the troops of today. Instant communication has brought the battlefield into our living rooms but we worry about our loved ones as much as the families in 1944.

On November 15, 2003, the women behind the Marine Corps Moms website met several members of Easy Company. We shook the hands of Don Malarkey and Wild Bill Guarnere. They are true American heroes and it was a privilege to meet them. And, sixty years from now, people may be shaking the hands of our sons who serve with the 7th Marines. As mothers, we are filled with pride. As citizens, we are profoundly grateful.

Thanks to Matt from Blackfive
for sponsoring this blogger?s tribute to this defining day in American history. Check out his list of all participating bloggers here. Much of the information in this post was derived from Stephen Ambrose?s bestseller, D-DAY, June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II.

Posted by Deb at 08:42 AM | Comments (2)

June 02, 2004

Overheard on a Marine Base

I visited the Marine Base at 29 Palms over the Memorial Day weekend and met several young 1/7 Marines, all friends of my own son. At one point, they were discussing the current lottery jackpot and what they would do if they won. One Marine noted that such a bonanza would mean a "material change in lifestyle" and that an enlisted winner could probably get out of deployment. I asked if any of them would do that and, to a man, they all said no. They have lived together, trained together, bonded as brothers, and none of them would let their buddies go back to the sandbox without them.

Posted by Deb at 09:27 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Update from the 2/7 Marines

Here's an update from the Battalion Commander and Sgt. Major of the 2/7 Marines, currently in Iraq.

By the time many of you read this, you should be returning home from the Memorial Day weekend. We hope you had a great time, wherever your travels may have taken you.

In this update, we can again say that we are steps closer to having the Iraqis prepared to take responsibility for their communities?which means we are winning. All of our efforts in the near future will be focused on training, equipping, and supervising the Iraqi security forces. The brave Iraqis we see on a daily basis are sincerely committed to their future. It is a sight to see. The people in the area welcome the fact that Iraqis are starting to take the lead on security responsibilities.

The biggest news out here is that there?s less and less BAD news. More and more Iraqis understand what the coalition is doing for them and they also know that they have to take care of their country?s security in the near future. The most dangerous encounter most of your Marines and Sailors are having is with the heat! It is starting to top 100 degrees regularly and the mercury continues to rise.

Before going too far in this letter, we?d like to take a moment to discuss (we had no idea people actually were waiting for this?) the, ?pigeons doing back flips,? comment we made a few updates ago. We were on an operation and one evening, before it became too dark, we observed a small flock of pigeons flying and doing back flips! The birds would fly, flip, and keep flying. As they were doing their flips, they would lose the air under their wings and appear to drop straight to the ground. But once the flip was complete, they continued to fly. Iraqis are fond of birds and they train birds to do tricks. We happened be located next to a house that trained such birds. It was an enjoyable end to a somewhat nerve-wracking day.

Put this story in the, ?Tell it to the Marines,? category.

Marine Corps lore holds that if a civilian does not believe a story about something or other in the world, his best bet to find the truth is to ask a well-traveled Marine. Your Marines and sailors have definitely been getting their fill of seeing things you would not believe. Sometimes we wonder what planet we are on here in Iraq. Many unique things take place on ?our streets.?

By the time you read this note, the long awaited 2/7 playground equipment will be delivered to several local schools. As the Iraqi public learns to trust us and perceive us as helpers and not conquerors, the less motivation they have to help the violent minority that live among them.

The good news only gets better! Slowly, but surely, the living conditions in all locations improve. There?s more hot food, better living conditions, and more air conditioners being installed (just in time). Most importantly, the mail is consistent. Keep those letters and care-packages coming! We love them!

Iraq is still a dangerous place, and yes, there is some instability. However, everyday Iraq grows more stable and peaceful. Everyday more Iraqis lean towards democracy and against terrorism as a means of change. The local newspaper we helped start shows that free speech is alive and well where your Marines and Sailors are serving. Your Marines and Sailors are key players in this democratic process. Remember: As Iraq grows more stable, America benefits, since Iraq becomes one less breeding ground for terrorism.

Thank your for continuing to share the courage? and thank you for all of your wonderful support. It means more than you know.

Posted by Deb at 09:12 AM

More on the "Wedding Party"

Via Jen Martinez, here's another report on the "wedding" that wasn't, from USMC LTCOL Bill Mullen:

Just reviewed a classified brief on the supposed wedding - no way it was. Here are some unclass details I can provide (brief had lots of pictures to back up the details):

- Weddings traditionally held on Thursdays in Iraq to take advantage of Friday as a day of rest - raid took place on Tuesday night.

- Only permanent dwelling at the site held large stocks of food, bedding, medical supplies (lots of these - was the wedding going to be a cage match of some sort or were the caterers just bad cooks?), ammunition and weapons, as well as an apparent document forging set up.

- Meat was still frozen solid, not prepared for a wedding feast and there were no stocks of dishes, plates, etc.

- Contrary to media reports, no "Nuptial Tent" was found and a 1KM area around the site was searched - any further away than that would just be too far for the catering staff to walk carrying all those huge platters of food.

There's more. Read the entire e-mail here.

Posted by Deb at 09:03 AM | Comments (5) | TrackBack

May 30, 2004

Seventy-two Reasons

Memorial Day is a day rich with meaning for Marines, Sailors, soldiers and airmen. They understand, perhaps better than anyone else, the sacrifices that have kept our country free. This tribute to our present day heroes was written by Sgt. Major Wayne R. Bell, 1st Marine Division to honor the memories of our Marines who have given their lives to uphold freedom during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Seventy-two. There are 72 reasons why this Memorial Day is a little more sacred this year, a little more solemn.

Seventy-two is the number of Marines, Sailors and soldiers assigned to the 1st Marine Division who were killed in action during combat operations in Iraq. Seventy-two patriots upheld our Corps Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. Seventy-two to whom we owe our pride, our dignity and our gratitude.

For most, Memorial Day will be a day off from work. Backyard barbecues, time with family and the kick-off to summer mark the day for most Americans. But most Americans aren't familiar with the sacrifices of our Marines, Sailors and soldiers.

Most don't know about Cpl. Jason L. Dunham, the 22-year-old Marine who dove on top of a grenade to save the lives of his Marines. But Marines do. Marines know that our Corps' legacy is built on such men, who selflessly gave their lives for their fellow Marines.

Memorial Day is a day to honor those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, such as Cpl. Dunham.

Lance Cpl. William J. Wiscowische was killed in Ramadi, Iraq trying to search out improvised explosive devices. He died trying to keep other Marines safe. We have no greater heroes than Marines such as Wiscowische.

Memorial Day is Wiscowische's day.

Lance Cpl. Elias L. Torrez III had one hand on the steering wheel and another on his weapon as he fired away at the enemy shooting at his Marines. His foot propped open the door to his humvee. He emptied two magazines on the enemy before he was killed.

Remember Torrez on Memorial Day.

Cpl. Daniel R. Amaya led his Marines from the front when he was killed in fighting in Fallujah. He always told his Marines he would be there, leading them. That's how he died, fulfilling his promise to his Marines.

Amaya's day is Memorial Day.

There are 72 reasons why this day, this year is more bittersweet than the rest. I've stood at the foot of memorials in Iraq. A single inverted rifle with identification tags and helmet honors fallen Marines. But Memorial Day is a day that we honor the sacrifices of all those Marines together with those who fought and died in Iraq last year and in Kuwait in 1991. We honor those Marines who were killed in Beirut in 1983. We honor those killed in VietNam and Korea. We remember the sacrifice of the Marines who forged our legacy in the swamps of Guadalcanal and on the beaches of Iwo Jima. Their sacrifice made us the Corps we are today. The sacrifices of the 72 killed in action in Iraq during this campaign is forging that legacy of selfless brotherhood, of one Marine laying down his life for another.

I am truly honored to have served with and continue to serve with some of the finest human beings on the face of the earth - U.S. Marines. I am humbled to stand in the shadows of these warriors who gave their lives for freedom. Their contributions enable this great nation of ours to enjoy the freedom that no other nation can.

It is because of the sacrifices of Marines like those who've fought and died for our country and Corps that I continue to serve. I am proud to serve my country and serve with my fellow Marines.

Although we do not have some of the basic comforts that we are normally used to when at home, we remain modest and determined to carry out all orders to their fullest, led by our noncommissioned officers, supervised by our staff NCOs and fully supported by the officers who issue those orders.

We continue to risk our lives daily in order to complete this mission to enable a country and its people to enjoy the freedom that we have enjoyed all of our lives.

Throughout the year, the sacrifices of our Marines are easily forgotten by most. As a national holiday, Memorial Day serves as a reminder to all to honor those men and women who gave their life in order to secure yours. It is the perfect time to thank those who answered their call to duty.

From my cover to yours, I salute those Marines, Sailors and soldiers on Memorial Day.

Join me: "No better friend; No worse enemy."

This Memorial Day, I'm visiting my son and his wife at the 29 Palms Marine Base. And Sgt. Major Bell is absolutely right. We, as a nation, owe our pride, our dignity and our gratitude to these brave troops that make it possible for us to enjoy a carefree holiday weekend. Thank you, Sgt. Major Bell for your service to our country. And, thank you for reminding us to remember, not just on Memorial Day but on every day.

Posted by Deb at 06:46 PM | Comments (4)

Message from the CG to those who wait at home

Dear Ladies;

As much as these days and weeks may drag by at times for some, out here they seem to fly by. Hard to believe that it's nearly June and the first of our units (1/5 and 3/4 who deployed in December to Okinawa) will begin rotating out of Iraq a mere 45 days from now.

It's getting hotter here with the temperature nearly 100, so the nights and early mornings are the best part of the day. That said, the real heat will hit soon enough and we are ensuring that the air conditioning for quarters, medical spaces, mess halls, etc. are fully functional to allow for a cooling atmosphere when the lads are not out on the prowl.

We have elements of two battalions that still need a/c and I expect they will be complete within days, surely prior to the 1st of June - much better situation than last year.

The spirits of the Sailors,Soldiers, and Marines remain very high, unperturbed by the heat, enemy action, news, media pessimism, or disturbing misconduct of a few leaderless jail guards at Al Ghraib prison. We are defined by our men, one act at a time - with compassion for the innocent and discrimination when using their weapons, a discrimination unkown to the morally bankrupt enemy we fight. You ladies know these selfless, high spirited troops better than anyone, so you know it's not false modesty when I admit I have the easiest job in the Division, thanks to the attention to duty, good humor, military efficiency and chivalry that these gallant young fellows display every day.

The drubbing that the enemy took over a month ago, from 7th Marines in the west near the Syrian border, to Falluja at the hands of 1st Marines, to Ramadi (the provincial capital) where 2/4 and the Soldiers of the 1st Brigade broke the enemy's back, continues to pay off. No large outbreaks of fighting have occurred now in over a month; the enemy lacked the will to come back at us. We continue to live in a very dangerous neighborhood however; the enemy remains an elusive foe who tries to use random explosive devices to cause us casualties. We also believe that the enemy, who lacks a political vision and can offer no positive future for the people fighting here, must come back out fighting again, or else watch as Iraq recovers from the years of Saddam and slowly but surely finds its path to freedom and prosperity.

We will be ready should the enemy make that mistake and rest assured, Ladies, that all our antennae are out and we are watching. We will not be taken by surprise.

So where along that path are we over here, the path to put Iraq back on its own feet, us on our way out of here? Iraq is what it is; two steps forward, one step back. Yet slowly but surely, we are making progress on the one track that is absolutely essential - the Iraqi Security Forces (Police, Civil Defense, Border Patrol, etc) are coming on line. With a lot of nurturing and coaching by your guys, the Iraqi Security men are stepping up to the plate and becoming more assertive. As they assume more responsibility, we will step back - we will always provide training and, if they get into trouble, we will come in, guns a-blazing. But they know that if they want a country, they must assume the security responsibility.

Now, for the first time, I can report with some confidence that we are (finally) on a track that will replace Americans and Azerbaijanis (yes, 7th Marines has a fine Azerbaijani Company working with them, wonderful troops) with the Iraqi Security Forces. Not soon enough for you and I, but at least we have a way ahead for replacing us in many of the precarious locations we have had to operate in until now.

The transition to Iraqi sovereignity will occur on 1 July. While the effect of that date will be miniscule in some respects to us, it is nonetheless a Red Letter Day along the road to Iraq's future as a pluralistic state. Yes, there will still remain some murderous criminals but, inexorably, the enemy will find himself marginalized and on the run, as maturing Iraqi police and pinpoint raids by the Coalition Forces leave him no place to hide.

I will be visiting the States in mid-June. I will see our wounded at Bethesda and then return to California where I will brief the commanders and conduct pre-deployment briefs for units inbound to Iraq to replace the seven-month tour battalions during the June to September time frame. I will also come to 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton to address those ladies who want an update about the situation in Iraq. I hope to see as many of you as possible at those events.

All is as good as it can be here. We stick together and hear only great things about the team you have created at home, as you set your own high standard of caring about one another, of seeing one another through this time of hope and anguish. I cannot thank you enough; the words themselves are never sufficient, but thank you, every one of you, for the love and support that you send our way. Nothing reminds us more of all that is good in this world than the memory and the reality of you, who compose your own lives and maintain a degree of stability in our lives that defies explanation.

I wish you all good things as we go forward, together, to do what our Nation needs its Marines to do in this fight.

Sincerely,
Jim Mattis

Posted by Deb at 06:38 PM | Comments (1)

Operation 31 Flavors

Photo by Staff Sgt. Houston F. White Jr.

If you were stationed at a distant outpost in the middle of a remote area of the Al Anbar province and the commanding general asked you if there was anything you needed, what would you ask for?

Captain Valerie Hodgson asked for ice cream.

3rd MAW Major General James F Amos visited the MWSS-374 detachment in early spring. He explained, "I was talking to the Marines and asking them how things were going, so I could get a read on if they were happy or if there was anything they needed. After talking with them, to be honest, I didn't get a single Marine who said anything negative."

The General persisted. Finally, Capt. Hodgson looked at him and said, "Sir, send us some ice cream." And he did.

A few weeks later, 800 containers of ice cream landed in the middle of the desert. Chief Warant Officer 3 Samuel Pamoleras expedited the shipment. "We used resources that we have in Kuwait to make this happen." He added, "We were able to get it palletized, put on dry ice, get it shipped to Al Asad, and put it into cold storage within a matter of a few days." Marines on the other end - Mudyasis, Korean Village, and Al Quim - were surprised and delighted during evening chow. PFC Dustin Hawkins from Houston Commented, "After a hard day's work, any food is good, but this is awesome." Cpl Michael Rice from Indianapolis added, "It shows that our leaders have actually seen a difference in what we're doing out here, so they're rewarding us." Captain Hodgson agreed. "Being in a remote area, I think it's easy for people to forget about us, but clearly they did not because they worked so hard to get this ice cream out to us. Having ice cream out here is a reward for the hard work that the Marines and Sailors put in everyday."

Lt.Col. David Leppelmeier, CO for the MWSS-374 said, "They know I care about them and want to get out to see them more since they have a little tougher scenario than everyone else because of location. They get a kick out of seeing us and they really appreciate the general's gesture with the ice cream."

The general appreciated the troops too. "It really warms my heart to do something like this for our Marines and Sailors. It's only a small gesture but just doing it brings a smile to my face."

Posted by Deb at 06:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack