How I'm spending my Memorial Day weekend
I raised a Marine. I've spent more weekends than I can count camping in locations throughout the western United States, and when my son wanted to go camping for his birthday one January, I packed our tent and gear and flew him to Florida. Fair-weather outdoor girl, that's me. Although tent camping is fine, our tent is 18x11, 4 rooms, with an indoor carpet, table & chairs, queen size airbed, and camping china. When I rough it, I do it with the comforts of home and the showers had better be no further than a very short hike away.
So now, I'm dating a guy who is not only collects motorcycles but when he hears about motorcycle rallies, he is so there. With a passion that I reserve for shoe sales at Nordstroms. And this weekend, there is a rally for sidecar enthusiasts in Yakima, Washington, just up the road from Oregon. It was either wave goodbye or climb in and hang on. We are so there.
See the miniature tent in the foreground? That's ours. And it's been pouring all day, except for the sunbreak when I took the picture. The tent behind ours is where a gaggle of small children are sleeping, children who evidently wake up at 4:30 a.m. every day and fight, scream and cry until their parents wake up. There's also a back-up rooster who starts crowing as soon as the kids wake him up. The motorcycle & sidecar to the left of the tent? Try riding in that through a major wind and hail storm. Our next trip had better be someplace warm and sunny, I'll tell you what.
While I'm holed up in the laundry room with my laptop, John (red coat) is out talking with people who see virtue in riding motorcycles in inclement weather. He's like a kid in a candy store. The guys that rode in on the bikes above came across the pass into Yakima - at one point they hit 18 inches of snow. So now, he wants one of those. Somehow, we're going to have to compromise between one of those and a motorhome. The Mel's Diner truck in the background is doing a steak feed tonight. If I can find the rooster, that menu is going to be extended.
A number of the guys that showed up have canine sidecar passengers. Note the goggles. Either the women stayed home, or these guys can't get dates. Looking at the guys, it's a toss-up.
Nice people though. And the laundry room, with dryers going, stays warm. Maybe I'll sleep in here tonight. With enough quarters, I could keep the dryers spinning all night long.
Posted by Deb at 03:12 PM
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May 24, 2006
1/7 update - "your Marines are truly the hunters"
1/7 Marines from Charlie Company send along a few messages for their loved ones back home
From 1st row left, Cpl Anderson, PFC Haag, LCpl Rodgers, and Sgt. Feeney
1/7 Battalion Commander LtCol Nick Marano has good news from the Syrian border:
Families of 1/7,
We are well into our third month now and you can really see the Marines and Corpsmen hitting their stride. The days and weeks spent in the field on predeployment training have really paid off for the platoons and companies. Iraq may seem on TV like a violent place with a faceless enemy, but your Marines are truly the hunters. They are taking the counterinsurgency fight to the enemy everyday, and winning. Every line company is aggressively patrolling their Area of Operations (AO) and everyday we are rolling up insurgents, discovering IEDs, weapons caches and keeping the terrorists off balance. In my last letter, I spoke about April being historically a violent month and it unfortunately remained this April as we lost three fine Marines. I pledge to you, as we have pledged to each other, that their sacrifices will not be in vain. We are committed to moving the Al Qaim region forward, and we are making steady progress. It will not be easy, this is a hot, dirty and dangerous job, but it is one we are capable of completing and we will all be safer for it. I could not be prouder of the Marines and Sailors I am fortunate enough to lead. Even in the midst of tragedy, their selfless devotion to each other and their mission is remarkable - and moving. In my letter following the rocket attack on BP Tarawa, I detailed some of those actions. Today, I am happy to report to you that the little girl who LCpl Simons and Cpl Kutner were so worried about has lived. We were able to get her treated and MEDEVAC'd to a hospital in Baghdad. She would have certainly died had it not been for two brave Marines; those Marines cared more about their comrades and a little Iraqi girl than they did their own lives.
We continue to work with the Iraqi Army, and now the Police, to improve their capability and prepare them for the day when all Marines depart the Al Qaim region. This job, like every other in Iraq, is difficult. There are no easy problems here! There are many times that working with the Iraqi Army and Police has the "one step forward, two steps backwards" feel. We currently have Iraqi Police patrolling in Husaybah with Baker Company and soon will have them on the street with Alpha Company in Ubaydi. As the Marines have found out, it initially takes more work to patrol and work with Iraqi security forces, but in the long term these soldiers and police will perform the tasks that your Marines currently do.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the mothers a Happy Mothers Day. As you enjoy the day at Victory Field, please know that we couldn't do any of this without your strength, support and love. You are what make all of this worthwhile and we look forward to the day when we will all stand together on Victory Field in celebration. The story of what your Marines and Sailors do here has been written about in major newspapers around the world and the Al Qaim region is held up as one of the positive areas within the Sunni regions of Iraq. We have generated so much attention, that even Toby Keith is coming here to play for us. Yes, that's true, Toby Keith will be here on 29 May and I will do my best to ensure every Country Fan is here to enjoy it. He specifically asked to go to where the "real" Marines are, so he is obviously coming here. Thank you for staying strong and keeping the faith. |
This group includes LCpl Ruiz, PFC Santos, LCpl Bronson, and PFC McDaniel.
Posted by Deb at 01:36 PM
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May 23, 2006
Coffee Shop Chronicles II
I love coffee shops, especially the small independent shops with comfortable chairs, excellent coffee, and (a necessity) wireless internet. One of my favorite places is Red Horse Coffee Shop in Corvallis, owned and operated by a former Marine who takes care of his community the same way he once protected his country. It's a nice place to spend an afternoon and I can work online and still be around people. With my son deployed, the house is all too quiet.
Not all coffee shops are like that. Choices, especially late at night are slim. Recently, I wandered into another Corvallis establishment, just off the Oregon State campus and always busy. This night was livelier than most and the folks packed into one of the rooms seemed to be on the outer edge of alternative lifestyle. Hearing shouts of rage coming from the far corner, I asked the barista what was going on. Open mike night. Listening closer, I heard angry voices denouncing President Bush, the war, and the imperialist regime that kept the man down. And womyn. This was definitely a gender-neutral crowd.
As I took my coffee - organic dark roast with cream from free-range cows raised on pesticide free hay - I mentioned that it probably wasn't a good night to wear my Marine Mom sweatshirt with American, USMC, and blue star pins. She smiled and said "Not a problem - they're also non-violent". I've encountered a few other coffee shop denizens with similar attitudes and she's right - they do cave when they're nose to nose with a Marine Mom.
So, I took a picture and sent it to my son with a note explaining that this was who he was protecting and defending. And, I included a DVD - Season 1 of The Simple Life with Paris Hilton and Nicole Ritchie. If that doesn't convince him to stay in the Corps, I don't know what will.
Posted by Deb at 01:58 AM
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May 22, 2006
Letter to President Bush from a Gold Star Mom
During a recent visit to Washington D.C., a good friend took me to see Arlington National Cemetary. As we looked out over acres of lush green lawn, covered with neat rows of white tombstones, she remarked, "Each one of them had a mother".
Indeed. And in the magnitude of loss, we need to remember that each one of our fallen heroes should be remembered individually. Cindy Hicks, whose only child, SSgt. Jason Ramsmeyer, was killed in an IED explosion last month in Haditha, sent this letter to President Bush as a reminder that every time two Marines knock on a front door, the fabric of the family who lives there will be irrevocably changed.
Here is her letter:
Dear Mr. Bush:
You do not know me, however I felt compelled to write to you and tell you about my son. You see, he was a 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment based in Hawaii, and he now lives in your neighborhood, Arlington National Cemetery, Section 60.
His name was Staff Sergeant Jason Carroll Ramseyer and he was 29 years old. He was killed on April 20, 2006 in the Al Anbar Province, Haditha, Iraq by an IED explosive device. He leaves behind a wife, Amanda and two little girls. Rylee Grace is 3 1/2 and Kadence just turned 2. He was my only child.
He joined the Marines in 1996 two weeks after graduating from high school. He served in Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. Jason was hand picked out of thousands of Marines for his skills and ability as a teacher, as well as a leader. He presently served as the platoon commander for the battalion's Forward Command Post, known as "Jump CP." He was in charge of security for Lt. Colonel Norman L. Cooling and was killed protecting Lt. Colonel Cooling, as well as his fellow Marines. His comrades called him a "Marines Marine."
We have not only lost an important person in our personal life, but our country has lost a valuable Marine. These men and women have willingly volunteered to serve our country. They are the leaders and some of our strongest and we are losing them EVERY day. There were 76 lives lost just in the month of April 2006.
I have received cards and letters from mothers who have lost their sons and daughters as well. One card was from a young man's mother who lost his life in Jason's unit during their Afghanistan deployment. It is time for our country's leaders to pay attention to the small details, the individual lives lost.
My son's new fascination was golf. We played when I visited him in Hawaii the end of February, prior to his deployment on March 11, 2006. In the last email I received from him he said that he had made a tee platform on the dam, found an old golf club, and would I send him some cheap golf balls so that he could practice and hit them off the dam into the water. He never got my response the following day. This Sunday, May 14th is Mother's Day. I will be at Lookout Dam on the Catawba River hitting golf balls into the water in honor of my son who will never again send me a Mother's Day card telling me how much he loved me.
My son's wishes were to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery because of his love for his country and his pride at being a United States Marine.
My request is a simple one. Please pay him a personal visit at Arlington. He respected you, loved his family, his country, God and the Marines.
As a mother, I need to know that my son receives the respect, honor and dignity he deserves in giving his life for his country. The Marines have already shown me that, now I would like to receive that gift from you.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Hicks |
From an earlier Charlotte Observer story about the life of SSgt Ramsmeyer:
His last deployment began March 9, 2006. His job was to lead a squad escorting Lieutenant Colonel Norm Cooling, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, from place to place in Iraq. He took the job seriously, as he did everything else, Mandy said.
A Marine Corps Major told her the squad had just dropped Cooling off at a meeting and was headed back to base when Jason got out of his Humvee to check an object in the road, as he had dozens of times before. If he suspected a bomb, he'd call a bomb squad.
This time, he never got the chance. The device was remote-controlled, and Jason didn't even have time to take cover.
Hicks, who works as a paralegal in Hickory, got an urgent call from her husband that afternoon. He told her to come home immediately.
When she arrived, she knew. Two Marines were waiting. Her son had told her: If Marines ever show up at your door, it doesn't mean I'm injured.
She thought, too, about what he'd told her and Mandy before his deployment to Afghanistan. He was packing, and he insisted on showing them the precise spot on his uniform for each of his 10 medals. Neither woman wanted to hear it or even think about it.
But Jason said: No, you need to know where the medals go in case something happens.
Hicks hoped with everything she had that she'd never have to apply the lesson.
Jason was her only child.
"I know there's got to be a special reason why (God) took him from me and his babies," Hicks said. "But he was a Marine, and he was very proud, and that was his job." |
Posted by Deb at 10:04 AM
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May 21, 2006
Update from 3rd LAR
Captain Michael Nakonieczny, CO of 3rd LAR, Apache Co. sent this update to the friends and family of his Marines:
All is well here in West, Al Anbar. As of this moment, we are 33% done with the deployment. The weather is slowly beginning to rise and the temperature has consistently been in the low 90’s during the day. Fortunately, the increase in temperature is coming gradually and we have the opportunity to acclimate to the changes. There is also a major project in the works that will greatly increase the quality of living for our Marines. These improvements include better living quarters and air conditioning. Just in time as it will get very hot here, very soon.
We have enjoyed more than a fair amount of success and continue to work with the Iraqi Army on a daily basis. It is a welcomed relief to see the Iraqi Army soldiers ready and willing to work beside us. They are brave, eager to learn, and want to do well. You can't ask more of a fellow soldier/Marine than that. More are on the way to the city we work out of and seeing their interaction with the Iraqi civilians makes me very optimistic. The insurgents in this city are like a cancer. They are small in number, but lethal to innocent Iraqis. We could go into this city at anytime and cut out those insurgents, but with out the proper treatment, the cancer will grow back. The Iraqi Army is that proper treatment. As these Iraqi civilians see more Iraqi Army soldiers stand up to these thugs, I have no doubt, they too will strive to be free. In fact, I am continually amazed at the number of Iraqis that are stepping forward and giving us information on the insurgents. That is how it looks here, at least, from the ground with your men.
As for operations, we have been pretty busy here in Apache for the last few weeks. Forgive your Marine if he has been unable to call. We are proud to say that we have detained a number of known insurgents and have also been successful in finding and then destroying more than 11 weapons caches throughout our local area. 1st platoon (commanded by 1st Lt Gaitens) and 2nd platoon (commanded by SSgt Harper) have been doing a terrific job manning the traffic control points that lead in and out of the city we operate in. Their stringent attention to detail and mentoring of the Iraqi Army continues to ensure weapons and insurgent fighters are unable to get into our city. Third platoon (commanded by 2nd Lt Brobyn) and fourth platoon (commanded by 2ndLt Niznik, formally of Dragoon company) have been kept busy with maintaining security on the main road that travels through our area of responsibility and in patrolling the local area. Headquarters and weapons platoon have been keeping very busy too. Most of these Marines are responsible for maintaining the security of the companys forward operating base. There vigilance keeps us all safe and their job is very much appreciated by all. We rotate the units around so they are never on the same duty for more than a month or so.
Updates:
Congratulations to LCpl and Danielle Ohotnicky on the birth of their son, John Anthony. He was born on 11 April at 2344 in Joshua Tree, California. He weighed in at a healthy 7 pounds 15 oz. He is 19.5 inches long. Our very best goes out to you Danielle and John.
Congratulations are also in order for LCpl Bobby Metzler and his wife who also were blessed with the birth of a child on 11 April. Avery Breane Metzler came into our world at 7 pounds and at 18 inches. As a proud father of a little girl, I have assured Bobby that his life and perspective of it will forever be changed for the better.
Newly promoted Marines for the month of May:`(rank listed is their new rank):
Congratulations to our executive officer Joe Shusko who was recently selected for promotion to Captain. Congratulations are also in order for:
- James Brobyn (3rd Platoon) promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant
- Isaias Hernandez (4th Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
- Nicholas Maxedon (4th Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
- Jose Calvache Jr. (1st Platoon) promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.
- Harley Bottoms (3rd Platoon) promoted to the rank of Private First Class.
Parting shots:
Be proud of your Marines. They are extremely tough, brave, resilient, and they never say no. It is with complete sincerity when I tell you they are an awe inspiring to watch as we execute our missions.
Thanks to you all for your continued letters of support. Mail makes even the best day here better. Please keep it coming.. |
Posted by Deb at 10:26 PM
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