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October 27, 2004



"We're seeing history written with lightning"

Marine Dad Tony M. asks "Lord...what kind of son have we raised?" His narrative about a recent phone call gives you a look into the mindset of one Marine . . . and there are so many more just like him.

Another one of those calls out of the blue, Saturday afternoon (about 2 a.m., sandbox central time)

We talked to Cpl Jeremy almost a half-hour. Amazing, in and of itself.

But if you could've heard this kid. This was so inspiring, so scary, and so full of life...

Cpl Jeremy said, once again, that he was fine. He said that his platoon has had about 1/3 casualties, but none of them were life threatening, during this tour.

But he said, "I can't imagine a better time to be a Marine. We're seeing history written with lightning."

And he talked at length about the whole esprit de corps, about how he was closer to his brother Marines than any bio brother he could've had. He talked about their hardships, their joys, about the pure exhiliration of being in the worst place in the worst country...

He talked about IEDs, about how just about every convoy had experienced being bombed, but that the armor they had now was so effective ... he said that as long as you kept your head down, chances are you'd be fine...

He talked about a buddy of his that a mortar round landed about 20 ft. away, and while shrapnel flew everywhere, this friend didn't even get so much as a scratch...

And - VERY non-typically - he talked about the pride of being part of the best group of fighting men ever fielded. "I'll never, ever forget this," he said. He even (gasp!) talked about putting in some time as a RA while home at the end of this deployment. "None of those guys can say they've had two combat tours," he said.

And he talked about "The Big One," what, to their minds, is just around the corner. "To think," says he, "that I may be part of one of the most significant offensives ever."

Proud? You betcha. Scared? Witless.

But, it seems to me that its not so much what kind of son WE'VE raised... it's how the United States Marine Corps has taken this shy, gangly, unassuming kid to the next level. I'm lost in admiration for him and his Corps.

Semper Fi!

Posted by Deb at 02:23 PM | Comments (12)



October 26, 2004



Baghdad Update

Marine Mom Mary Ellen sends along this report she received from Baghdad:

Hi Everyone!! Well, another week has gone by, and I'm still doing well here. Work is slowing down in anticipation of Ramadan, the Muslim Holy season. An insurgent uprising is expected, so travel is restricted, and everyday we are on stand-by to see if we can even go to work. We are kind of expecting to be locked-down early next week when Ramadan starts. So not alot to talk about on the work front this week----some of our new projects are still in the works, but the level of paperwork has slowed as the projects are reviewed by the people with the money. All are expected to be approved and running in a week or so. Not really a whole lot more to say this week.
I'm including a pic of the sheraton hotel taken just a few minutes after it got hit by rockets last week. the Sheraton is about 2 blocks from my hotel.

I tried to get a video of the firefight after the rocket attack, but it was too dark and didnt come out--sorry.

I did, however, get into my first sandstorm this week. It has been relatively cloudy all week, and one night after dinner it looked really foggy out. We thought it was kind of weird, because the trees were moving from the wind. We went outside (which is NOT the smartest thing in the world to do), and were sand blasted. visibility was limited to about 300 feet. After only a couple of minutes, we came in and both my partner and were covered in a fine, gritty, dust. Now i know why the locals had thier scarves over their faces---perfect dust filters!!!

Since I keep mentioning my partner, Dan, I'm including a pic of him and I today also. He's a super guy, good operator, and has a great attitude on life.

As you all know there was an attack at the Green Zone this past week, and 4 americans were killed. The 4 americans were employees of DynCorp, the same company I work for. They were assigend to PSD, which is a dignitary protection unit. I'm not going to dwell on this, but if you could, say a prayer for them.

Thats it for this week. Take care of each other--------jim

Posted by Deb at 09:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



October 25, 2004



2/10 Update - rebuilding hearts and dreams

Lt Col Brennan sends along this report of his Marines' recent visit to Al Marjarhh.

Families and Friends of 2/10,

I would like to take this opportunity to recount for you a unique mission that your Marines and Sailors participated in. Daily, they to provide security for over 15,000 service members at four different camps in Iraq. Additionally, they conduct Civil Military Operations (CMO) to assess and assist in the construction and repair of homes, schools, and vital infrastructure in the surrounding area. On one such recent visit to Al Majjarh, a village near Camp Taqaddum, we met Huda, a beautiful 12-year-old girl with a passion for life and an infectious smile.

Huda is the youngest daughter of Hadi, a loving father and husband with three daughters and two sons. During a recent celebration, Hadi found his eldest son with a loaded rifle. In some cultures, it is not uncommon to shoot weapons into the air during festivities. As Hadi moved to take the weapon away from his son in an effort to prevent an accident, the weapon fired, striking Huda in the foot. This type of wound would normally have crippled the young girl for life.

Enter the Marines and Sailors of 2/10.

Two weeks after the accident, CWO3 Torres was directing a CMO team in Al Majjarh to ascertain what improvements were needed. Our Medical Officer, LT Burt, USN, was with him. Once the team entered the village, Huda’s family brought her to LT Burt with hopes that he could help her.

While the injury exceeded his capabilities at the time, LT Burt was able to change her bandages and give her some medications to numb the pain and prevent infection.

When the team returned to Camp Taqaddum and debriefed my staff and me, there was no doubt as to what action we would take next.

After nearly a week of extensive planning and coordination, CWO3 Torres, LT Burt, and an FSSG Medical team returned to the village to escort Huda and her father to Camp Taqaddum. Once arrived, she received the necessary surgery to save her foot courtesy of the 1st Medical Battalion’s Surgical Shock Trauma Platoon.

During her surgery and subsequent recovery, 2/10 hosted Hadi and gave him a job on base so that he could continue to support his family while still being near his daughter.

Furthermore, 2/10 continued its efforts to mitigate any ramifications resulting from Huda’s village accepting help from Coalition Forces.

Even while Huda recovers, CWO3 Torres and his CMO team are working with village leaders to refurbish village homes and to provide clean, drinkable water to the village for the first time since it was settled. They visit Huda’s family and have brought her clothes and shoes. Huda’s smile, and the smiles of her family, only reinforces the need and reward of our mission here.

Your Marines and Sailors are the epitome of versatility: by night they patrol for insurgents and weapons caches; by day they rebuild hearts and dreams. Each member of 2/10 is truly making a difference. I am sure that you join me in being extraordinarily proud of each of them.

Terence P. Brennan
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps

2/10 is one of the battalions supported by Operation Santa.

Posted by Deb at 08:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



October 24, 2004



Today, in the life of an American

Today I woke up to the sun peeking through a few clouds, to voices of laughter from across my fence.

I began my day with a run through the neighborhood, and a sprinkle of rain on my face.

I had a shower with hot water, a hot cup of robust coffee, and I read the newspaper.

I went to the cleaners, the local department store, and the bank.

I met with a friend for lunch and shared special time with a loved one.

I went shopping, took out the garbage and chatted with my neighbors.

I mowed my lawn, listened to the sprinkler, and bar-b-qued dinner in my backyard.

And, tonight I thank God for the men and women who have given me this freedom of peace and tranquility. I thank God for our US Marine Corps.

Posted by at 02:14 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack