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December 30, 2004



Big Balls

Marine balls are evidently bigger than most - or at least that's what what I'm guessing based on the latest troop support request. 6th ESB is deploying 17 Marines next week and their previous experience is that football with the US Army is a "non contact sport". However, the British would like to play rugby with them if we can get a supply of rugby balls. If we send them, our Marines will start a rugby league and will share the balls with the different Marine groups that have British troops or Royal Marines with them.

If you'd like to donate toward the cost of a half dozen rugby balls (and other sports equipment), please send a check to the Marine Corps Family Foundation (write rugby balls in the memo line) or paypal us at donations@marinecorpsmoms.com.

Address for the Foundation is:

Marine Corps Family Foundation
4500 Ruby Ct. NE
Salem, OR 97305

Posted by Deb at 05:27 PM | Comments (3)



December 29, 2004



3/1 Update from Fallujah

This is a few weeks old but I just received it - here's the latest from LtCol Buhl in Fallujah:

Greetings from the City of Fallujah.

This is my sixth letter to you, published on the Anniversary of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941. We are in the sixth month of our deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. As you are probably well aware from the headlines, the Thundering Third has continued to perform its duties in Iraq with a high degree of combat efficiency in accordance with the legacy of valor and professionalism we inherited from our distinguished Veteran forebears. There is a popular phrase that you may have heard in the past that describes our recent actions in the City of Fallujah. It goes something like this, "There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second opinion."

As most of you now know, "Your" Battalion was the 1st Marine Division's main effort for two weeks of high intensity combat operations to rid the City of Fallujah of international terrorists and Iraqi insurgents. Known as Operation "AL FAJR" or "New Dawn", this operation was successful in killing or capturing thousands of terrorists and insurgents, denying them sanctuary, and destroying thousands of weapons and ordnance items.

The fighting experienced in Fallujah was some of the most violent I have observed over my career in the US Marine Corps. We were up against determined adversaries who were well armed, and had prepared defensive fighting positions in complex urban terrain. The 1st Marine Regiment (RCT-1) advanced into the western half of Fallujah with the Thundering Third, 3d Bn., 5th Marines, and the 2d Bn, 7th Cavalry, armed with M1A2 tanks and Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Fully supported with all the combined arms resonant in the Marine Air Ground Task Force to include USAF AC-130 Gunships, your Marines, Sailors and Soldiers aggressively attacked the enemy and maintained relentless pressure on him until he was reduced to operating in small isolated groups, hiding in homes.

As I mentioned above, the fighting was extremely fierce. During our advance we uncovered enemy from many different neighboring Arab countries, large quantities of weapons and ordnance of every type, sensitive items such as passports of murdered hostages, torture rooms, propaganda studios, military skills training centers, etc. As we had long suspected, Fallujah proved to be a massive sanctuary and cache site for the enemies of peace. Indeed, the extent of the ordnance located in this city is such that the city continues to experience daily explosions, as our Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams destroy newly discovered explosives and munitions.

Shortly before Operation AL FAJR began, we pulled the entire Thundering Third in for only the second time we'd all been together since we began our Operation Iraqi Freedom II deployment in June. It was a blessed if not expectant time together.

You may have seen the article published on our "First Annual Thundering Third Ben Hur Memorial Chariot Race." This race actually proved to be a number of timed heats due to uncooperative horses. These horses had been impounded temporarily when suspected infiltrators brought them around our base under the guise of scrapping. A number of men in the Battalion with horse handling experience cared for them in the weeks preceding the horse race. All of our horses had fresh hay every day and their own little stable inside Camp Abu Ghurayb.

They actually gained weight and appeared content until race day, when nearly every one of them decided he'd had enough cart pulling in his lifetime!
Needless to say, the event was a morale raiser, replete with uncooperative horses, Marine actors in costume, race music and starter's trumpets piped in over our loudspeaker, our Battalion Color Guard and National Anthem, Chaplain's Prayer, a couple of short speeches, and the singing of the Marines' Hymn as a Battalion.

24-hours later the Thundering Third was in the attack into N Fallujah. Our opening gambit included the seizure of the Fallujah Train Station. You may recall my description of our Iraqi National Guard Brothers from India Company in Nasser Wa Salaam. Well, these fine men joined our Marines from the Battalion's Combined Action Platoon (CAP) and aggressively attacked and seized this train station, with support from Company L (the ING continued its superb performance throughout the operation in support of Lima Company). This began our Regiment's assault from this portion of the city. After that we conducted a forward passage of lines with our Army Brothers from the 2d of the 7th Cavalry, and followed them into Fallujah for the first day of combat.

The morning of the 2nd day saw the Thundering Third out in front, assigned as the RCT-1 main effort through the most dense and complex portion of Fallujah, known as the Jolan. Indeed, we remained RCT-1's main effort all the way through to the end of high intensity combat operations 12 days later.

After this, we had another week or so of hunting down isolated pockets of resistance - insurgents and terrorists that moved from other parts of the city into our zone. We systematically eliminated these pockets over the subsequent days. Today a calm has descended over our portion of the city, broken only by the sound of controlled detonations as described above. We are busy hardening up our firm bases, conducting joint patrols with Iraqi Soldiers from the new Iraqi Army, creating humanitarian assistance sites and entry control points into the city, and clearing up rubble.

We also took time to truck out a fine Thanksgiving Feast to our Lads in the field. Vat cans of turkey, steak, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, gravy and cake were brought to every Marine, Sailor and Soldier in the field. All hands rejoiced in the special brotherhood of a Combat Veteran Marine Infantry Battalion. All hands were simply thankful to be together to share a meal at the end of one of the greatest bonding events any will experience in their lives. As I have said in every letter since we hit the deck in Iraq, whether in contact with the enemy or with friendly people seeking a better life, your Marines, Soldiers, and Sailors are doing great things out here every day.

Weather Report: As you may have heard from your loved ones out here, daily temperatures have now become down right chilly. After a blistering summer in the Al Anbar Province, all hands have donned their polypro undershirts and Polartec Fleece shirts. My thoughts turn back 54 years ago, when this Battalion was at Hagaru, North Korea. A few remarks are inevitably made referencing the chill, often followed by mention of our Korean Veterans... "How'd they do it up at the Chosin Reservoir?" For a more recent example, last year the Thundering Third was up in Bridgeport, CA, for cold weather mountain warfare training. This year, despite the drop in the mercury, we have it a bit more comfortable. The Thundering Third was in the attack against our Nation's foes on our Marine Corps 229th Birthday, though many a "Happy Birthday Marine", or "Happy Birthday Doc" was passed on that special day. After the dust settled a bit, as described above, in accordance with tradition, we trucked out another holiday meal to every company in the field in Vat Cans. "Every meal a feast" and "every formation a family reunion" describe this day best. I must also mention that there were many smiles across the Battalion as we were granted a I MEF special ration of two beers per Marine, and one small bottle of rum. This special ration, combined with another superb dinner and birthday cake - should solidify the memory of our 229th Birthday in Fallujah, Iraq for the rest of our lives.

Ladies and Gentlemen, large quantities of mail and packages continue to arrive and are greatly appreciated. At this point, I would ask those who desire to send packages to limit the contents to food and tobacco items which can be consumed. Of course, reading materials and DVDs are also welcome and will be used. Thanks to the generous folks back home, most hygiene items are in large supply out here. All of the thoughtful donors who have sent things to our Marines are too vast to mention here, but the members of G-3-1 Korea have been particularly generous to their Battalion. I will also mention Marine Corps League Detachments from Ventura and Mount Diablo, CA, Las Vegas, NV, Rear Admiral King, USN (Ret.), Rusty's Chips from Balboa Island, CA, the great people from Coorstec in Golden Colorado and the good people from the Jefferson County Colorado Government Center there.

SgtMajor Ed Sax continues to experience flash backs to his company gunnery sergeant days and never gets tired of distributing these items for delivery to our Marines, and sometimes to Iraqi children. I want to repeat that I cannot tell you how good it feels to know how many people are behind us back home. These packages and the inspiring messages contained within really make a great difference to our Marines and Sailors... all are deeply, deeply appreciated. This month, in an effort to reduce the length of my portion of the newsletter I will not mention all of our meritorious Marines by name.

As you can well imagine, we have an incredible group of heroes in the Thundering Third (as an example, I invite your attention to the article attached below our Family Newsletter on Cpl Robert Mitchell, a superlative NCO and hero from Company K).

We also have standouts in a reinforced infantry battalion full of standouts. Sergeant Major Sax and I share the great personal and professional privilege and pleasure as career Marines to see our men earn combat promotions, NCO and Marine of the Quarter honors, and earn additional qualifications while participating in combat operations.

I can well imagine the pride felt by the families of these outstanding Marines as they write and phone home to relate the good news - superlative Marines and Sailors, who are serving their country most honorably in a time of war. Like their forebears in the Thundering Third from WWII (15 Feb 42) to present, our Marines and Sailors have continued to serve with fortitude in the face of adversity.

As you must know, we continue to sustain casualties here in Iraq. The recent period of high intensity combat in Fallujah was particularly rough in this regard. Due to great combat leadership and training, protective equipment, and the best Surgeons and Corpsmen in the 1st Marine Division, a high percentage of our wounded are returning to duty. Unfortunately, as noted in previous letters home and the comments above, we have had a few men hurt enough to be medevaced back to the USA. On this note, our Marines and Sailors continue to be blessed with visits by a number of the Battalion's Distinguished Veterans and the Families and Friends of our Battalion. These visits mean the world to our men and their families, and mean the world to the rest of us in Iraq, knowing that our Lads are being well cared for in the rear. Since I last wrote to you, it is also my sad duty to report to you that we have lost 23 of our brother Marines and one Iraqi Special Forces Soldier killed in action here in Iraq. All of these men gave their lives for their brother Marines and Sailors here, and for all Americans in defense of the freedoms we are all privileged to enjoy. America owes these Marines and their families an endless debt of gratitude. They are greatly missed by their brothers here and by their families back home. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families. We continue the mission we began here together, as they would have wanted.

I will conclude this letter with all of our best wishes for Happy Holidays to you at home, especially to the great Ladies who continue to do great things in our Thundering Third Key Volunteer Network. You who have sacrificed at home over the past six months to enable your loved ones to serve our Nation overseas in a time of war - our men couldn't accomplish the things that they have without you behind them. I recently read a book by Steven Pressfield entitled, "Gates of Fire." Ostensibly it is the story about the Spartan defense of the pass at Thermopoly. What the book is really about is the commitment and sacrifice of a people for their nation. Although we have a different form of government and live in a different time, there is much to admire about the Spartans and indeed the ancient Greeks, where Western democracy was born. To bring you back to my main point, one of the greatest parts of this book described how Leonidas, the King of the Spartans, selected the 300 Soldiers he brought with him to Thermopoly, a mission that all realized would mean the deaths of those defending the entrance to Greece from Persian hordes under King Darius. Leonidas relates that the way he chose the men who would accompany him to Thermopoly was by an evaluation of their women - wives and mothers. Please don't misread my intent with this story, we all deployed to Iraq with the full intention of bringing everyone home. That intention continues in earnest, especially after all this Battalion has been through.

My final point is that we have an incredible group of supportive family members led by our Key Volunteers behind us out here. We are a volunteer force of committed professionals who serve our Nation, Navy, and Marine Corps with happy hearts. Throughout the rigors of OIF II, our Key Volunteers have been there for our Battalion Families in EVERY circumstance. Ladies, I do not have the words to express how important the compassionate work you are doing means to all of us out here, and to our Marines and Sailors and their families back home. Ladies, THANK YOU from all of us forward deployed for the continued superlative support - we all cannot wait to be home with you again soon.

As time permits, I will write again. I hope that this update has provided you with an insight into the Battalion's recent accomplishments and progress. In addition to your support for your Marines and Sailors over here, I also respectfully ask that you keep the families of our lost and wounded Marines and Sailors in your thoughts and prayers. Since I last wrote to you, it is also my sad duty to report to you that we have lost a number of our brother Marines and one Iraqi Special Forces Soldier killed in action here in Iraq. All of these men gave their lives for their brother Marines and Sailors here, and for all Americans in defense of the freedoms we are all privileged to enjoy. America owes these Marines and their families an endless debt of gratitude. They are greatly missed by their brothers here and by their families back home. We continue the mission we began here together, as they would have wanted. The 3d Bn, 1st Marines forever honors the sacrifice of Staff Sergeant Russell Slay (2d AAV Bn), Sergeant Christopher Heflin, Sergeant William James, Sergeant Byron Norwood, Sergeant Morgan Strader, Corporal Theodore Bowling, Corporal Dale Burger, Corporal Brian Oliveira, Lance Corporal Jeramy Ailes, Lance Corporal Bradley Arms, Lance Corporal Benjamin Bryan, Lance Corporal Luis Figueroa, Lance Corporal Michael Hanks, Lance Corporal Justin McCleese, Lance Corporal Andres Perez, Lance Corporal Juan Segura, Lance Corporal Abraham Simpson, Lance Corporal James Swain, Lance Corporal Nathan Wood, Lance Corporal Louis Qualls, Lance Corporal Joseph Welke, Lance Corporal Philip West, and Private First Class Nicholas Larson, and Jundi Majeed, Iraqi Special Forces, who are gone but never forgotten. John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends."

God Bless and Semper Fidelis,
LtCol Willy Buhl
CO, 3d Bn, 1st Marines

Here is the story, written by Staff Sgt. Nathaniel T. Garcia, referenced in LtCol Buhl's letter:

"The feeling of hot metal going into your body has become pretty familiar, and I don't like that," said Cpl. Robert Joseph Mitchell.

For the fourth time in the last five months, Mitchell would again be injured during the fierce fighting in Fallujah. As he recalls the event, his gaze turns from those who are listening to a place far away. "I was leading my squad down a road where we were clearing the buildings," said the 24-year-old native of Omaha, Neb. "I saw another one of the sergeants from another platoon run out of a house after huge amounts of fire erupted from that area. He had been wounded in the hand and said 'there were still friendlies down in the house.' He didn't know who or how many."

Mitchell and his Marines sprang into action, Nov. 13. Entering the first room of the house the Marines noticed a dead man on the ground suggesting the room had been cleared. Two rooms over Mitchell could see that there was a Marine down who needed to get out. Mitchell, along with three other Marines including his first sergeant tried to cross the larger of the two rooms to reach the wounded Marine.

As soon as they entered the next room, they received incoming fire from the top of a stairwell to their left. "Someone was firing down the staircase and throwing (fragmentation grenades) down at us," said Mitchell, a squad leader with 3rd Platoon, Company K, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. "We made it through to the next room, and there were other Marines in there trying to help the Marine that was down." The insurgent threat had the Marines trapped in their rooms with his direct line of fire covering their only exit. "Obviously the guy had a pretty good kill zone by firing right down the stairs at us," said Mitchell. "We couldn't move the down Marine because he was shot in the upper thigh. He was in a lot of pain and screaming."

During their movement, Mitchell's first sergeant and another one of his Marines had been hit. Unable to make it the room with Mitchell, they remained on the ground in a room slightly behind the stairs. Mitchell ran from the room he went in to the first sergeant and the other injured Marine. The first sergeant had been shot in the right leg and still conscious. He told Mitchell that he had taken a few shots in his calf. The blood around the area was evidence enough. Mitchell's other Marine had been shot in the leg as well, but the first sergeant thought the Marine might have been shot in the gut as well.

"I was getting ready to help the first sergeant out, but he told me to take care of the other Marine first," said Mitchell. "I went over to the Marine and started stripping his gear off. I was looking around for a wound. I thought for sure that I was going to see just his guts spilling out all over the place but that wasn't the case. He hadn't been shot in the gut. He did receive a shot to the left center of his back though. I thought that maybe he had taken a lung shot. He wasn't bleeding to bad."

The Marine he was tending to happened to be one of Mitchell's best friends. Seeing his injured friend hit Mitchell pretty hard. Despite his feelings, Mitchell knew he had to do something. "I had (medical) gear and went through the squad medic's course. I was pretty much prepared for whatever," said Mitchell. "I ended up just slapping a dressing on his back and throwing a tourniquet around his leg to stop the bleeding. After that, there wasn't much I could do for the first sergeant because I was out of dressings and tourniquets."

Although Mitchell didn't have enough tourniquets to use on the first sergeant, he noticed that the wounds were not bleeding too excessively, and he knew the first sergeant was a tough Marine. "I mean, it was 1st Sgt. Kasal, the guy that was the epitome of Marines," said Mitchell. "From there all I could do was monitor their situation and try to figure out how the hell we were going to get out of that house. We couldn't even expose ourselves in the direction of the door because the guy upstairs would just pour rounds down at us."

The Marine he had just treated that was still conscious and looking around. He pointed out to Mitchell that his weapon had been damaged. Mitchell looked at his weapon and noticed that a round had hit the bolt. "At this time I started feeling a little bit weak in the leg. I looked down and my leg was pretty bloody," said Mitchell. "Not too bad, but I noticed there was blood on it and I could feel pain. I thought it was fragments from the concrete around the wall that had hit me. I didn't see any punctures through my cammies though." He continued to monitor his Marines and the radio and direct traffic till help arrived. Help arrived in the form of a squad from 2nd Platoon. They showed up just in time to help the Marines plan casualty evacuation.

However, Mitchell was worried that the platoon may fire on the building with them still in it. He cried out to the Marines, "Do not fire, do not fire inside the house!" Second platoon managed to get a squad inside the house to help evacuate the casualties and the other Marines by taking up positions to suppress the fire while they escaped. Once everyone was out of the house and a safe distance away, the Marines planted satchel charges on the house to bring it down on the insurgent inside. Once they had the chance to account for everyone, Mitchell's squad was down from 13 to seven capable members. Mitchell also had a chance to look at his own wounds. He found that shrapnel had been lodged in his thigh for some time during the encounter in the building, but can't remember when.

This encounter with insurgents in Iraq is a possibility every Marine is faced with. Unfortunately, this is not the first brush with enemy fire for Mitchell. On three different occasions, he has been the casualty of enemy fire.

The first time he was injured was July 7 near Fallujah, two weeks after his unit arrived in Iraq. Mortars came over the wall of the compound he was in. Mitchell and several other Marines headed for the wall to return fire. As they did, another mortar came down almost directly on top of them and blew up. A dime size piece of shrapnel hit Mitchell on his forehead directly between his eyes. "Seeing my Marines getting injured and going away on casualty evacuations mostly just angered me and made me want to fight harder," said Mitchell. "Getting hit myself really pissed me off."

"The first time (he was hit), we had a patrol scheduled, and I'd be damned if I wasn't going to go on it." Fifteen minutes later, Mitchell would be out on that patrol with his face sticky with blood from the shrapnel in his forehead. The second time was the day before the incident with gunman up the stairs. Mitchell and his team encountered another insurgent who was firing through a closed gate. One round went through his tricep and another round ricocheted of a wall and burned his leg. When he was shot, he again determined to finish the job by pushing through the excruciating pain in his injured arm to return fire. "I wasn't going to stop there either. I wanted to get those guys," said Mitchell. "When I got fragged in that last house, I wasn't going to leave with my first sergeant and another Marine injured in that house. First of all I didn't know that I was hit because the adrenaline. I just got pissed off again and tried to figure out a way to kill these guys." The third injury he couldn't remember when or where it happened. However, Mitchell realized a small piece of shrapnel was embedded in his chin.

"When you get hit multiple times there is always a thought in the back of your mind, like where is the next one coming from and where is it going to hit you," said Mitchell. "It started taking a little bit of a toll on me, after the last time. I knew that I could do my job and that I could lead Marines, but I didn't want to put myself in the situation of 'what if I did hesitate, and it wasn't me that got hit but someone else.' It is definitely not worth the risk to any other Marine."

Mitchell was told by his commanding officer that it would be best that he didn't go back out. One of the only reasons Mitchell could see for this was because of the emotional toll it has taken on him. His family was notified of his injuries and shared the battalion's concern, mostly for his physical safety.

"I am going home with the rest of the Marines whose service time has ended," said Mitchell, who enlisted in February 2001. "I was given the choice to stay and it was a hard one. But I figure if I am not back out there leading my Marines, which is probably best that I don't, than maybe I can go back to the injured Marines who are already back home and bring them some company." Though he is going home, the thought that he is leaving without completing the mission has crossed his mind.

"Being told by my (commanding officer), sergeant major, platoon commander and all my buddies that I have done enough -- that helps to ease my thoughts," said Mitchell. "It is supportive, but at the same time, I came out here to lead a squad and finish the job. Now, my squad is being led by Cpl. Wolf, who is 100 percent capable of the job, and there is nobody else I'd rather have leading my squad. So that eases my mind a little." Going home after his second tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the assault on Fallujah, the graduate of Riverside High School in Oakland, Iowa, knows that his perspective of the world will change even more.

"National holidays hold a little bit more meaning for me now," said Mitchell, who spent time working on a farm as a farmhand in the area he was growing up, harvesting crops and caring for cattle. "I was always patriotic when I was growing up, but I don't think anybody could ever explain the patriotism that I have now. I know a lot of guys feel the same way."

For his Marines who remain in Iraq, Mitchell only has a few short, but meaningful words. "I love 'em, and I'll never forget them," said Mitchell of his fellow Marines. Mitchell will never forget the Marines who have paid a large price in the name of freedom, which is truly never free.

"I believe that everyone deserves their right to the freedoms that the United States offers," said Mitchell, who has seen several of his closest friends and Marines under his care fall to enemy fire. "But I believe that everybody who has done anything in the military deserves to practice those rights even more. It is kind of selfish to say because it is our job and it is what we do. But I know a lot of guys who have made too many sacrifices over here for those rights and I think a lot of people take that for granted sometimes."

Posted by Deb at 02:58 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack





3/4 Marines return to Iraq

1,000 Marines with the "Thundering Third" at the Marine Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, CA stayed a bit closer to base over the holidays than they might have wished. All holiday leaves were canceled as their second deployment to Iraq in the last year was moved up from March to early January. They returned from Iraq last July.

Capt. Chad Walton, base public affairs officer, said Monday that the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit, will be part of the "security and stability operations that the other Marines have been doing in Iraq".

Posted by Deb at 12:17 AM | Comments (1)



December 28, 2004



Send in the Marines

As the death toll in Indonesia and surrounding countries mounts, the rest of the world is scrambling to put together a comprehensive relief effort that will help meet needs of that region. Here is a link to a comprehensive list of international aid organizations. On that list and strongly recommended by Hugh Hewitt as "the most efficient disaster relief agency in the world" is World Vision. If the page is slow to load, you can make a phone donation at 1-800-777-5777 or 1-888-562-4453.

The United States, as usual, is the most generous nation in the world. Initial promises of $35 million have been made, and more is planned, once the magnitude of the disaster is clear. And, the Pentagon is sending in the III MEF.

U.S. Pacific Command is sending a forward command element (FCE) to Utapao, Thailand, to establish the command, control and communication structure for Joint Task Force 536 (JTF 536).

Thailand's decision to allow use of this Thai military facility is welcomed. The U.S. intends to use, with Thailand's cooperation, this military facility as a regional support center for emergency and medical personnel providing assistance throughout the region as well as a staging area for U.S. military and rescue aircraft, forensic experts, and other relief assistance.

The FCE and follow-on JTF will coordinate U.S. military relief efforts in the region. The FCE and JTF will work with the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, host nations and humanitarian relief agencies to identify requirements and coordinate relief efforts.

The focus of the mission will be to prevent further loss of life and human suffering by expeditiously applying resources to the overall relief effort. The FCE team is comprised mainly of personnel from the III Marine Expeditionary Force. Additional personnel will be deployed from other locations in the Pacific command area of responsibility.

U.S. military relief efforts include:

  • U.S. Air Force C-130 cargo aircraft in Yokota, Japan, loaded with relief supplies are expected to deploy to Utapao, Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand.
  • U.S. Navy deployed P-3 aircraft from Kadena, Japan, to operate in the vicinity of Thailand with Utapao, Royal Thai Air Force Base, serving as a hub for operations.

Other forces enroute to the region that could be committed to relief efforts, if necessary, include:

  • USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, including USS Shoup, USS Shiloh, USS Benfold, and USNS Ranier and
  • USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, including USS Duluth, USS Milius, USS Rushmore, USS Thach, USS Pasadena and USCG Munro.
  • U.S. Air Force will deploy KC-135 aircraft from Japan and Guam to provide assistance as directed.

U.S. military exercises often include training for humanitarian assistance. This humanitarian assistance training helps ensure the U.S. military is able to rapidly respond as directed to support relief efforts.

The Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command will continue to review resources available and direct forces as necessary to provide authorized humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to affected nations in the region.


Posted by Deb at 08:23 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 27, 2004



Strenghen the Good

One of the joys of being part of a larger community of weblogs is finding others who care about what is going on in the world . . . and then take steps to make it better. Alan from The Command Post did just that when he started a new website, Strengthen The Good, with the goal: "Using the power of weblogs for open-source charity. Don't just fight evil: Strengthen the good."

Here is the latest opportunity

. . . Douglas Dart, has been a friend of mine for decades. Douglas, his wife, and his three young daughters are currently spending a year living in Bratislava, Slovakia. Doug's (unpaid) mission: teach English and American Studies to Slovakian high school students at a school called The C.S. Lewis Bilingual Gymnaziumin in Bratislava's Petrzalka district.

A stumbling block to his mission is the lack of English books. So, Alan proposes that we help.

Here's how we can help strengthen the good: Below is a list of books the school needs for the English and American Studies programs ... the items with an asterisk are those for which they need several copies (as many as twenty each to use for literature classes). Anything else they will use to build the library.

Click here for a list of books and how to send them. You can make a difference.

Posted by Deb at 07:35 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





BeliefNet's "Most Inspiring Person of the Year"

BeliefNet, a site that offers information and advice on topics ranging from A(theism) to Z(oroastrianism) has posted their choice for "Most Inspiring Person of the Year", following a popular vote. Here's a list of the finalists and the percentage of the vote received:

Jason Dunham, Fallen Marine 33%
Christopher Reeve, Fallen actor21%
Mukhtaran Bibi, Rape survivor11%
Pat Tillman, Fallen Soldier 9%
Fantasia, "American Idol" contestant 8%
Margaret Hassan, Murdered by thugs in Iraq5%
Smarty Jones, racehorse - why he's on this list at all is a mystery to me 5%
Nancy Reagan, caregiver and former First Lady4%
Spc. Darby, Abu Ghraib whistle-blower4%
Curt Schilling, Red Sox Pitcher1%

Following the vote, the editors of BeliefNet chose Pat Tillman to receive the award. Here's their reasoning:

Despite our intention to keep divisiveness out of the Most Inspiring Person this year, even acts of heroism are viewed through the lens of politics. Judging from online comments and our conversations with people about this year's nominees, it seems those who see mostly tragedy in the Iraq war are most inspired by Spc. Joseph Darby, who blew the whistle on the Abu Ghraib prison scandal, or Margaret Hassan, the director of Care in Iraq, who devoted her life not to killing but healing. We would hope that all of us could see the extraordinary courage in all four of them. Surely war supporters can admire Margaret Hassan for staying in Iraq, at obvious personal risk, to help suffering Iraqis (the point of this war was, after all, to help Iraqis) or understand that one cannot promote a moral war while concealing the immorality of prison torture. Surely even the war's most outspoken opponents can appreciate the sacrifice evident in Pat Tillman?s story or the extraordinary courage and valor of Jason Dunham, who flung his helmet and possibly himself on a live grenade to protect the lives of others. Dunham won our "People's Choice" award among Beliefnet users. As one friend of Dunham?s wrote, "What he did for his fellow soldiers and for mankind in beyond comprehension. In our small town of Scio he will NEVER be forgotten."

In the end, despite the great physical or moral courage of all four of them--and the incredible stories of the six other most inspiring finalists: Christopher Reeve, Nancy Reagan, Fantasia, Smarty Jones, Mukhtaran Bibi, and Curt Schilling--we choose Pat Tillman as the most inspiring person of the year.

Tillman, who walked away from a multimillion dollar NFL career to volunteer for service after 9/11, was deployed in Afghanistan, where American soldiers successfully overthrew a tyrannical regime that was subjugating its population and harboring Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. Tillman was killed there in April.

There's more and you can read it at the BeliefNet site. I'm not quibbling over the choice between Pat Tillman and Jason Dunham - they're both heroes to me, although I do have a bias for Cpl. Dunham. Taking the deliberate action of throwing himself on a grenade to save the lives of his brother Marines elevates him to superhero in my book. A real superhero, in contrast to another entry on the list who played one on the movie screen, and would not be on the list at all if it were not for his celebrity status prior to his injury. In reading through the comments regarding Cpl Dunham's selection as "People's Choice", I was struck by some of the bone-headed, blindedness of the posts. Here are a couple:

I'm against the war precisely because of men like Cpl. Dunham. He deserved to serve and die in a war worthy of him. I don't think the one in Iraq is it. I hate the casual way in which the administration is using our courageous men and women. They deserve far better.

The hypocrisy of this statement is breathtaking. Cpl Dunham didn't deserve to die - none of our fallen heroes have. But to qualify wars as "worthy" based on armchair quarterbacking by folks with no stake in the outcome is insulting.

General Hagee, Commandant of the Marine Corps, pinned Cpl Dunham's Purple Heart medal on his hospital gown less than an hour before he died. In a speech later, he said that all Dunham's parents could talk about was how he felt about the Marine Corps and how he loved and respected the Marine Corps. "They have a 15-year-old son who wants to join the Marine Corps," the general said. "And they're going to support him."

Cpl. Dunham's parents, more than any one else, understand the ultimate sacrifice made by their son - putting the life of his brother Marines over his own. And they would support their younger son's decision to join the Corps. Amazing parents.

Here's another quote:

Killing yourself doesn't take as much courage as living. Killing yourself is over quickly. Living and striving through hardship is much harder than dying. The glory of God is the person fully alive. I say vote for one of the people who lived, and honor life, not death.

Commandant Hagee told of how Dunham, a 22?year-old squad leader, was engaged in close combat with an enemy combatant in Iraq when an enemy hand grenade threatened the safety of Dunham and his fellow Marines. Dunham reportedly jumped on the grenade, shielding the blast using his helmet and himself, and was severely wounded.

"He was thinking of only one thing: the Marines in his squad," Hagee said. Dunham was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment.

Because of Cpl. Dunham, the other Marines on his team were spared. I wonder how the above commenter justifies his self-centered comment in light of the admonition of Jesus, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. Cpl. Dunham demonstrated the epitome of love.

The next quote illustrates how blind some remain. Cpl. Dunham gave his life to protect his brother Marines. However, he was there in the first place to bring peace and freedom to the people of Iraq. In this entry, posted on the BeliefNet discussion board, the poster draws no distinction between Cpl. Dunham, the enemy combatant who tried to kill him and the other Marines, and Hitler's Nazi troops. It's ironic that someone who lives in a country where he is free to say anything he wishes, without fearing religious or military persecution, cannot make that distinction.

Is there really any difference between Jason's actions and those of the suicide bombers who he chose to confront? Being willing to die for unjust causes is not a quality of heroism, unless one is a member of the cult of death that supports the particuliar cause. The fact that the US military adventure in Iraq to control a fifth of the world's oil has murdered in excess of 100,000 innocent Iraqi civilians and lost the faith of the Iraqi population in it's attempt to install it's CIA puppet makes the whole venture catastrophic and immoral. Would you have voted for one of Hitler's troops for this award sixty years ago?

Contrast the above with the message left on an online message board by childhood friend Dean Phillips: "I hope one day I could be half the hero he is. I hear there is a special place for heroes in heaven."

There is. I am certain that Cpl. Dunham is now guarding the streets of Heaven with other fallen Marines. And thank God that some people recognize what qualifies as inspiring. 33% of the people voting in this poll did. And future generations of Marines will - Cpl. Dunham's action will be told and retold by young Devil Dogs who will wonder privately if they would have the courage to act as he acted. He is an inspiration to them and to the rest of us as well.


Posted by Deb at 11:19 AM | Comments (5)



December 26, 2004



Donald Rumsfeld's Holiday Message

Secretary of Defense's 2004 Holiday Message to the Troops

This is the time of year when we want to give special recognition to the men and women in uniform -- volunteers all -- who defend our Nation and the cause of freedom.

But it is appropriate to go beyond a usual holiday message to put in context what is taking place at this time in our country's history. What the men and women in uniform are doing today will prove to be a pivotal chapter in the history of America's meaning and mission.

Since this great Republic's founding, Americans have stood at liberty's front lines. In its earliest days, the United States was the world's only democratic nation. But as the centuries have passed, the audacious and powerful ideals of freedom and self-determination that defined the American experiment have swept across the world.

We have seen it in recent times, in nearly every region of the world: in the joy of reunited Germans dancing atop the crumbling Berlin Wall; in the face of the lone young man who stood defiantly before the line of tanks in Tiananmen Square; in the millions of Afghan women who braved violence and intimidation to cast their votes in Afghanistan's first-ever democratic presidential election; in today's passionate debate over free and fair elections in Ukraine; and in the tens of thousands of Iraqis who have volunteered to come to their newly liberated nation's defense.

These momentous events would not have been likely had it not been for the daring and determination of America's founders, and for each of the many generations of Americans that followed who kept the flame of liberty alive at home and nurtured it abroad. This is the meaning and mission of America – and no one is more important to that mission than the American soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine.

In these difficult and trying times, I ask our men and women in uniform to remember this: There is perhaps no greater calling in life than what you are doing -- standing on freedom's front lines. And there could be no finer legacy to bestow to future generations than being part of our nation's forward strategy for freedom and contributing to a safer and more peaceful world.

So to all of you who are serving our nation -- I thank you for your courage. I thank you for your commitment. And to your families and loved ones, I extend my deepest appreciation for your sacrifices. And to all of those who have lost loved ones in this global struggle against extremism, and to all of those recovering from the wounds of battle, know that all who have served our country have been part of something that history and future generations of Americans will honor for decades to come.

Please also know I am deeply grateful to you and that you have my full respect. You have my very best wishes for the holiday season.

Donald H. Rumsfeld Secretary of Defense

Posted by Deb at 01:19 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 25, 2004



A Christmas message from an Iraqi

Omar from Iraq the Model writes:

It's really hard for us that a beautiful occasion like Christmas comes in sad days like the ones we've been through in Iraq last week.

We lost tens of our Iraqi brothers in Najaf, Kerbala and other Iraqi cities. Those people did nothing wrong except dreaming of a normal life; a dream that is seen as a crime in the eyes of the terrorists.

And we lost tens of our friends in the coalition who did nothing wrong but helping Iraqis in making their dreams come true; and that's another crime in the eyes of the terrorists.

It's never easy for us to see the blood of our brothers and friends being shed everyday but we should also remember that great goals to be achieved need great sacrifices and now it's our duty; we, who are still breathing must make sure that the priceless blood of our brothers and friends was not shed in vain and we should remember that the sacrifices they made were made for a noble reason.

Huge responsibilities are waiting for us; responsibilities towards the coming generations and responsibilities towards the brave ones who sacrificed their lives on the frontline.

We cannot let despair walk into our hearts now and we must keep the faith in our cause and keep the hard work until the dreams of our loved ones come true and I believe we should learn the lesson from the sacrifice of Jesus the Christ who offered his life for the cause he believed in and struggled for; freedom and justice.

Lets all pray for the souls of those who lost their lives defending freedom and justice.

Merry Christmas everyone and may the next Christmas come in better days.

Posted by Deb at 11:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





Santa's new sleigh

Official USMC Photo

Santa Claus joined the flying leathernecks of Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263 -- the aviation combat element of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit on a CH-46 Sea Knight last night, bringing the gifts of democracy and a country free from fear to the children of Iraq.

Posted by Deb at 03:03 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





Tending Distant Fires

Greyhawk is spending his Christmas in the sandbox, giving up the comfort of his own hearth and company of his wife and children for that of other Marines who selflessly serve. He sent this verse, reminding us that our ability to live well is due to the sacrifices made by our troops for over 200 years. Thank you to all Marines, soldiers, sailors, air men and women, and coasties who protect and defend so that we can keep our home fires burning.

Tending Distant Fires


Far from hearth and home, watching
Cold alone but not alone
On distant shore and only wanting
Safe return and little more

What tales we'll tell
When that time comes
When tales can be told

When things grim
Seem far away
When other fires go cold

Some distant sunset, vision fading
Memories remain
And tired eyes gaze 'pon folded flags
While distant drums beat their refrain

Saluting fallen friends whose names
And youth will never fade
Here's to those on other shores,
for them live well, the price is paid

-Greyhawk,
-Iraq, December 2004

He also provides this list of deployed Milbloggers with a suggestion:

Visit here; spread Christmas cheer
and if you can, throughout the year
1000 Words from Iraq

2Slick's Forum

Able Kane Adventures

Armor Geddon

Beef Always Wins

Blog Machine City

Dagger JAG

In Iraq for 365

Iraq Calling

Lance in Iraq

A Line in the Sand

The Mudville Gazette

Never heard of this place till now!!!

News from Baghdad

OIF

The Questing Cat

Steven Kiel

Training for Eternity

Tweak's World

Life in This Girl's Army

pure-randomness

NotQuiteDead

And those who wait:

Trying to Grok

Please visit the links that he has provided and spread that Christmas cheer!

Posted by Deb at 12:52 PM



December 24, 2004



Happy Birthday Ben

Gold Star mother, Brenda, shares memories of her third-generation Marine son, LCpl Benjamin H. Gearheart, who died on 8/27/97 at Camp Pendleton, CA during a training maneuver when his LAV went down a 1200ft embankment.

The pain we mothers have when giving them birth, is tiny...compared to losing them. Scientists say if you changed 1 thing in the universe, chaos would happen. The same thing happens if you lose 1 person. Someone, somewhere, lives are changed 4 ever! 7 years and it still feels like yesterday. The "missing you" lingers on abundantly!

Happy "30" Ben! Oh the fun you would have had this Christmas Eve! I can hear the jokes you would have made in regard to the big 30.

Yet I can see the little boy look that would have been on your face. The gee I really don't want to be this number, I want to be 10 again.

We would have shared many of these fun numbers together. I thought of you all day when I turned 50 this year. As the years go on and I settle for the memories I miss you more then ever.

Love Mom

This year I would like to share my favorite Christmas story with all
of you. I would also like to thank each and every one of you for
being there for me. It helps just knowing you are out there.

My husband and I raised four sons. Their ages today range from 24 to 35. We tried to teach them early on that gift giving was not about the price but ever so much the thought.

Many hours were spent in their younger years creating construction paper greeting cards and homemade gifts. Smiles pass my lips when I reflect on the closed doors in our house...A child yelling "Mom, Dad, Don't come in yet!" Oh, the excitement I heard in their voices. The love I felt, from their young souls. The spirited twinkle in their eyes when their creation was presented. Our house was adorned with many of these gifts. Pencil, crayon, and painted drawings were framed and hung. Clay sculptures and pots, cute pillows and such, an art gallery it was to me. Stick reindeers, beaded ornaments, and a very special red paper Santa dressed our tree. A tin can Pilgrim was a sight to see. I have in my possession to this day boxes of these priceless treasures.

Of all the heartfelt moments experiencing their love of giving, one is forever branded in my mind...

The year was 1990, as was tradition in our home we exchanged our personal gifts to each other on Christmas Eve. Santa would provide the Christmas morn. Our second to the oldest son Ben was 16. He was short on cash this year. When it came his turn to pass out gifts he rose and said, "I want all of you to stand and form a line oldest to youngest." He then proceeded down the line. Each of
us were hugged and told, "Merry Christmas I love you." His sad eyes misted with the wish of his heart. Though not having a gift to hand us he chose, "The Thought That Counted." Ben had chosen, the gift of love.

With tears streaming down my checks I remember looking at my precious son and saying, "That is the best Christmas present anyone could ever receive."

Ben was born on Christmas Eve 12-24-74
A blessed gift to his family

LCPL Benjamin H. Gearheart died 8-27-97

A gift to his country (in a military training accident)

Happy Birthday Ben

Ben's last Christmas was spent deployed to Kuwait in 1996. He mailed this letter to us that year:

A CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM BEN 1996

Mom & Dad,

I got my boxes yesterday and I really don't know how to start this letter. I do believe, no matter where I am, no matter the situation, and no matter what you had to do to get it done, you would make me feel loved. I think that I was the only one in my plattoon to get a box for Christmas. Words cannot describe how it felt to have everbody watchen as I opened rapped gifts sent from back home. But then again, I should not have been surprised, cause you have been doing the same thing for 22 years now.

People have asked me before what I was Most proud of. I tell them that I am most proud of my Mother and father. The way both of you had put Both of your lives to the side to raise four boys. Now that I am older I can see it alot better. What Both of you had put yourselves through just to make sure that we all had good clothes to put on our backs. All the up's and down's we had as a family, all the up's and down's that you two had as parents. They were always overcome, by two people who would work two jobs, work late in a sewing room. By two people who would give anything it took to put a smile on their Boy's face. Mom, you told me one time that you didn't know how I had went to day & night school and worked full time. Well even if you don't know it or not, things were learned that were not necessarly taught.

I've never really said it before, and I don't know why. Everynight when I say my prayers ( When I remember to pray) I allways thank God for giving me such great parents. What Im trying to say is "Thank You" Thank you so much for always being there and always giving what you didn't have. It was all noticed.

I love you more then anything in the world.

Ben

I want to thank all of you for remembering with me. Please know that I am so incredibly proud of your sons and daughters that are serving our country and that I keep all of them in my prayers. To the families who have had to endure "The Ultimate Sacrifice" Please know that my soul weeps with you and that you are most profoundly in my heart and prayers.

Please visit the web page that Brenda has created in her son's memory and sign her guestbook.

Posted by Deb at 12:04 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





Merry Christmas from Husaybah

My son called from his base camp on the Syrian border with Christmas greetings for all of his family here at home and that is by far the best gift I received this year. Each e-mails is treasured but hearing his voice is so wonderful. He said it's surreal being over there for Christmas - it's just another day without the traditional surroundings of home and family. Next year, I hope he'll be home to celebrate with us. But other Marines will be taking the place of those who are giving up comforts of home to help bring democracy to Iraq and Afghanistan. Thank God for men and women such as these!

1/7 Battalion Commander, LtCol Chris Woodbridge, sends along this Christmas update:

23 Dec 04

Happy Holidays to the entire First Team family, from your Marines and sailors here in Iraq. First I want to thank everyone for the holiday cheer that has been flooding the battalion since Thanksgiving. The outpouring of support from everyone back home has been incredible, and we are all very grateful for the cards, letters, and care packages. I can assure you that even though we would all rather be with you during the holidays, we will celebrate the season's festivities as much as we can, and this will be a time to remember for everyone. It may be hard to believe considering that it was over 130 degrees here back in August, but we have had snow here in the last week! So, we just might have a white Christmas!

We are well past the halfway point in our tour in Iraq, and I know the questions that are on everyone's mind: when is the battalion coming home? Are we on schedule or will we be extended? While I can't pass on any specific dates yet, I can tell you that we are still on schedule to return home in March and there is no plan to extend us here. In fact, the battalion that will replace us here has already done a leader's recon and we are well on the way to turning over this area as planned.

We have continued to be very successful in our fight against the inisurgents in this area and we have not lost a Marine to enemy action since the 15th of Oct. Unfortunately, on the 21st of Dec, LCpl Pesche from A Company lost his life in a vehicle accident. Mishaps like this are always tragic, but more so at this time of year. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family in their time grief.

The next round of this fight will be the Iraqi national elections at the end of January. You can expect to hear a lot about this in the news in the coming weeks. These will be the first free elections in this country and they are the next step in building a democracy in Iraq. The hard work and sacrifices of every man in the battalion and you all back home are making this free future possible for the Iraqi people. We are all thankful for the continued support from the home front--we could not do what we do without all of you.

Best wishes for a happy and safe holiday season.
God bless and Semper Fi
LtCol Woodbridge

Merry Christmas to all deployed troops. You are never far from our thoughts but, especially today, we miss you and look forward to welcoming you back home.

Posted by Deb at 11:51 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 23, 2004



I am the one with a frayed yellow ribbon

Mary Ellen Salzano is the the mother of a Marine who has recently returned from Ramadi, Iraq. She recently wrote this op-ed for her local paper and has given permission for a reprint here. Her words capture the essence of what a military parent experiences during the holidays and during the other days of the year.

The days are long, yet the years are short. These words have been resounding for me this past week, as I look over the days of 2004 and the year of 2004. Often I wonder, where did the year go...seems just like yesterday that we were putting up decorations and baking cookies, yet I know that 300 and some days have passed. My perception of time changes from moment to moment. Some moments take forever like waiting to see our Marine at the gate in Hawaii for the first time since his return from Iraq, to the moments that are over in a heartbeat, like the two weeks we spent in Oahu on his turf, his permanent duty station. 2004 has been a year of personal and spiritual development and I am certain 2005 will be the same in diverse ways, ways I have never dreamed possible or probable.

Would enjoy seeing a reality show of soldiers and Marine's loved ones back home. Meeting people and sharing about our son's military service is always a unique experience. Never knowing if this revelation will bring out the wrath or the respect of the person I am speaking with Sometimes I am asked, "How do you do this?" So, for a slice of reality, I'll share how many military parents feel on a day to day, minute by minute basis. I received portions of this in an email, and the author is unknown....I have changed bits and pieces to reflect my life, my thoughts and emotions.

You see me everyday going about my life as usual, or so it appears to you. I am your co-worker, your neighbor, the person sitting next to you at church, or at a ball game. I shop at the same grocery stores and fill my car at the same places you do. You can find me anywhere; you might see me anywhere, but do not be deceived by the normalcy of my actions and words. I have not been "normal" for months. I am the mother/father of an American soldier/Marine.

I am the one with the frayed yellow ribbon or photo of my son/daughter pinned on my clothing. It was fresh and new when our loved one first deployed months ago. We know the war is not over and will not be over...the war on terrorism is with us to stay. My child is in a place where bullets and grenades are as common as the birds singing outside your windows. I am dedicated to wearing my ribbon or pin until he comes home, because this reminds me and others to pray for him. So please, when you see someone wearing a yellow ribbon or a support your troops pin, whisper a prayer for their child or children and for all the others still protecting our country while facing the holidays and birthdays and celebrations without their families and friends.

My house is the one with the faded yellow ribbons and the United We Stand placards. Always remembering how our lives were changed on September 11, 2001. There is an American flag on a pole attached to the front porch, and black ribbons get attached on days of rememberance. A small red and white banner with a blue star in the middle hangs in a window. We were presented with this by our local American Legion. Gold Star parents are the ones whose sons or daughters do not return home. Our hearts are in a constant ache for them and a piece of our heart and soul is with them.

When you drive by a house with a banner or military flag waving, please pray for the family and the son or daughter who may be overseas or homeland choosing to defend our ways of life, which we take so very for granted.

My heart is warmed each time I pass a home or car with a yellow ribbon or support your troops magnet as I know you have an idea of the sacrifices being made. Thank you. For many emails are received sporadically as well as phone calls, yet at times, there are no calls or letters for weeks at a time, and the papers are filled with stories of wounded and casualites or negative comments and it pierces our souls.

When I read of a soldier or Marine that has been killed and the name has not yet been released by the Department of Defense pending notification of family, restlessness, depression, insomnia and even physical illness can rule my life until 24 hours have passed and the men in dress uniforms have not appeared at my door. You learn how to scan your neighborhood before you pull into your driveway, hoping there are no government cars parked outside your door. You then feel guilty as the relief turns to grief as you know others will be getting a visit. The days of taking a full breath are long passed, we sometimes need to remind ourselves to breathe.

Going to the store is a chore that many of us avoid until the cupboards run bare. If you see someone standing in front of the snack foods, with tears streaming down their face, stop and give them a hug. If you see a man and woman at the store buying tuna and crackers, beef jerky, hand sanitizers and baby wipes take a moment and see if they are filling a care package, and if you can, ask what you can provide. If you see a woman buying more than 3 sympathy cards at one time, and tears rolling down her face, know she is a part of an online support group who sends cards to those parents whose child has paid full price.

I am here among you, trying to carry on a semblance of a normal life and my holiday table will have a place setting and chair ready for our loved one whom we know will not be with us. Like so many others I am the parent, the mother of an child serving in the military. Because of their sacrifices, we sleep in our bed at night safe and free. Your prayers and words of love mean the world.

May your holy/holly/holidays be filled with the Light of Spirit, the love of the Divine, the Joy of Creation, and the Compassion of the Eternal. As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my thoughts with you and look forward to sharing a new year filled with wonders and joys. May each moment of your life be overflowing with blessings, prosperity, love and grace.

Mary Ellen writes "Sharing and Caring" for the Morgan Hill (CA) Times and she may be reached at maryellen_salzano@yahoo.com

Posted by Deb at 01:00 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack





A Milblogger laments

Currently deployed in defense of America, Greyhawk puts down his weapon for a minute to pick up a pen - he skewers a critic who suggests that he "focus on the soldiers and not indulge in name-calling with respect to those who exercise their Constitutional freedom". Ho hum. Ho humbug. Our cherished constitutional freedoms - for which generations of other trops have fought, bled, and died - include that of speech. And this freedom especially includes being able to say what you wish without risk of government interference . . . especially if you are the one paying for the soapbox.

In A Milblogger's Lament, Greyhawk uses humor to make his point - and in rhyme, no less. Here are the first few verses - do visit his site and read the rest.

Merry Christmas dear friend, I'm inspired, you know,
But the Mrs should get all the thanks
It's her time and effort that makes this site go,
While I'm here dodging helos and tanks

So few minutes to spare out of each busy day,
but so many things cry for attention
there's no time for issues that seem far away,
so most of them get not a mention

While sometimes in our vehicles politicians ride,
'round V-beds and mortars detected
I still think we GIs can help them decide,
how much armor could keep us protected

And reporters with pens that kill us the same,
as things in Iraq or a 'Stan
and enemies here with unpronounceable names,
will get a few words when I can

But there's nothing here now and few posts I recall,
unrelated to things military
That's what MilBlogs are about, after all;
it's sad that you find us so scary

There's more and it's all good.

Posted by Deb at 01:12 AM



December 22, 2004



2/10 sends Christmas Greetings

Captain Scott Ference sends along this update from Fox Company. This Company was included in Operation Santa - Michelle Keenes took care of 1st platoon and Jan Lisachenko did the rest - over 100 Marines from Fox (plus more- she's amazing!). Here's the latest report from the field:

The Holiday Season in Iraq

We are experiencing some of the same aspects of the holidays over here that you, our family and friends, enjoy back home. There is cold weather, gifts (in the form of care packages), Christmas trees, and it even snowed! This will be the first Holiday Season away from home for many of the Marines and Sailors of Fighting Fox Battery. Our unit has grown extremely close over the past few months and I am sure that we will make the best of the season despite not sharing it with you back home.

This is the season for sharing. We have received many gifts - please accept my appreciation for the packages that you sent, and also accept my advanced apologies for receiving much more than we can possibly provide to you back home. There are a number of factors that limit our ability to send gifts. First of all the Internet service, while reliable, (at times) is tough to use as a purchasing medium because your allotted time limit often expires prior to making your purchase. In addition to that, the PX is stocked with many of the necessities for service members, and plenty of ?nice-to-haves? but it does not offer much in the form of presents.

Since we have arrived we have received many care packages from numerous groups and organizations. It is comforting to know that you all appreciate our efforts. The packages contain useful items and we are thankful for them all. I doubt if any of us will have to purchase a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, lip balm, or package of wet wipes for the remainder of our time here. If I can suggest an item to place in future packages, it would be instant hand warmers. The vast majority of our time is spent outside and the temperature has dropped significantly in the recent weeks. (The coldest temperature to date has been 21 degrees F.)

If anyone wants to send a box of handwarmers their way, e-mail me for their mailing address. deb@marinecorpsmoms.com I pick them up at Costco for $18.99 for a box of 80. Other needs are thermal boot socks, gloves, and microfleece beanies or balaclavas to be worn under helmets. It's cold and the fierce winds create a wind chill factor that can be bone chilling.

Here's another update from 1st Sgt. Solt, Lima Company (this is actually a 3/10 company that is attached to 2/10):

As we near Christmas the morale of the Marines and Sailors remains extremely high. The overall reason the morale level could be so high while deployed, especially during the holiday season, is the belief that what we are doing here truly makes a difference in the lives of the Iraqi people and the world as a whole. I must add I?m proud to be a part of this battery and battalion. It?s provided me with the opportunity to see the unselfishness and giving of the Marines and Sailors in an effort to do the right thing and be professionals at their jobs on a daily basis. To be a witness to this endeavor is truly a blessing.

The on going devotion of our loved ones and support from friends has shown through again and again with mail and care packages. Your continuous commitment to the troops of course aids in such a remarkably high morale level. The quantity of packages the battery has received is unbelievable. Many people and groups have adopted us. Words cannot begin to express how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness. By the time the New Years arrives, we will all need to go on a diet!

As the New Year approaches we all have something to be proud of, as 2004 has been an important year in so many of our lives: our families, our training, and the mission. With the arrival of the New Year, we can start counting down the days until our return. Having said that we will not be done until our last Marine/Sailor is back home with their loved ones.

As always, your support and understanding keeps us going. Never forget what your Marines and Sailors have done and continue to do here on a daily basis to improve the lives of so many people. In the United States we often fail to remember the countless others in this world who have never known freedom and equality, to live day to day without fear. Your Marines and Sailors are helping create that for the people of Iraq.

God Bless you all...
Ooh Rah,
1stSgt Solt, J.A.

Maureen Benz, whose son is part of this unit recently posted this plea:

Right now, my son's unit, 2/10 Lima Battery, is on the outskirts of Fallujah (since September 7th). When they first arrived in Iraq the weather was HOT. Now my son tells us he is always cold. At night it is worse. Since they are living in tents it keeps some of the cold out but the dampness is always with them. The young men and women are requesting anything that is warming; cups of soup, hot cocoa, individual coffee packs and tea bags. I have sent in the last box, a number of the hand warmers which skiers use that are disposable and can be put in the boots, gloves and in their hats. Also, thermal socks are an added comfort at night!

I sent my son a small stove that burns fuel tablets. It's small enough that he can carry it in his pocket and make instant soup, Easy Mac, instant oatmeal, or other snacks in his canteen cup. In his last e-mail home, he said that Peaches and Cream oatmeal was the best. He hasn't changed - this was a breakfast staple in our home when he was 3 years old and it's still a favorite, I guess. I also mail all food in plastic containers since it protects against weather conditions as well as both insects and mice.


Posted by Deb at 01:10 AM | Comments (2)





We are the ambassadors . . .

Marine Mom Janise sends along this update from the 6th ESB from Portland, OR, currently deployed in Iraq:

Merry Christmas to our Marine Corps family. We're now over the hump and are on our downhill portion of the deployment. Regardless of how the deployment has affected us (families included), we are all still very proud to be serving here. Our Battle Rhythm now includes our regular 1000 church service on Sundays with Chaplain Perez. We hold the service in the MWR building that the Marines constructed a few months back. Following the worship service, Capt Grimm, the Executive Officer (XO), opens up "Ram-Rods" beauty salon (his barbershop is now commonly referred to as beauty salon to be "PC" since he cuts both male and female Marines' hair). The 1stSgt, GySgt Taylor, has refused time and time again to allow the XO to cut his hair. I think the real reason is that he's afraid it may not grow back.

We're now experiencing the coldest of the desert temperatures. Highs are now in the low 50s and lows dip down into the mid 20s. Sgt Carpenter keeps looking for his ice fishing shack but can't seem to find it anywhere! It's especially cold considering that we were just experiencing the brutally arid & fantastically hot climate . . . not the bone chilling temperatures that we're now enduring.

We've hung our ornaments from the Christmas tree and I can't thank everyone enough for their efforts in making our Christmas in the field seem a little more like home-at least a taste of home. The Santa, the banner, the quilt with all of your pictures; Again, we appreciate your collective efforts in making this possible. Our Key Volunteer Network has been phenomenal and we pay honors to you as you get us through the home stretch of our deployment.

When we first learned of our re-deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom-II, I focused the Company training on three pillars: Moving, Shooting and Communicating. The three most dynamic facets of our environment. That training has paid off tremendously. I entrusted my faith and confidence in the abilities of our NCOs and they have repeatedly proven worthy of every ounce of it. Our good fortune continues as we progress through the deployment, and although it's not been without its bumps and bruises along the way, we've remained vigilant in our stance to protect each other. Again, our success can only be attributed to our young Warriors that are making things happen through quick and accurate decision making...Decisions that sometimes effect the success of the entire company.

Our pride and esprit de corps are as conspicuous as ever. I'm amazed at the numerous challenges and hurdles that we manage to overcome on seemingly a daily basis. And yet, the Marines seem un-phased as we continue to execute in the rich tradition that our Marine Corps forefathers set before us. They too would be proud of our accomplishments, and for the way that the Marines have bestowed honor among our sister services. We are the ambassadors of our families, our towns, our Marine Corps and our Country-to the people of Iraq and with our coalition partners.

The care packages and Christmas gifts that we've been receiving are more than abundant and again, words cannot thank you all enough. We have received so much that we felt that we too should share in our abundance . . . giving to the coalition forces that don't have as much as us, and to the children of Iraq. After all, as ambassadors of the United States, it is the impression that we leave with those children that will become our legacy and will eventually win this war that we're engaged in.

WISNER, M. P. CAPT USMC

Posted by Deb at 12:16 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 21, 2004



Making a Difference

Our troops do so much for us. Blessings to those who give back to them. Marine Mom Lori, with two sons in the Corps, passes along this heartwarming story of generosity and appreciation.

My oldest, Josh, came back from Iraq doubting (as "just a f*****' POG") that he accomplished anything worthwhile. No matter what I've said to him, he's been wondering if the time away from his new wife, and the rest of us, was wasted. He, like so many warriors, came back to a surprising amount of negative news and questions from people who delighted in asking incredibly stupid and insensitive questions. Even after some bad firefights, he thought he hadn't "really served".

Josh and his wife finally found an apartment. He's been back from Iraq since October, and they've been staying with friends. Not cheap by Oklahoma standards ($950 for a small two-bedroom) but at least it'll be home. They spent the morning packing their few belongings. They didn't have much money left after the rent and deposits, but decided they'd spend a bit on some used furniture and eat sparingly until payday.

They found a small used furniture store. Inside, they spotted a green leather couch and a nice coffee table. Josh figured that could do double duty as a place to eat, and they'd wait to find a table for the dining room. While his wife wandered around looking for dishes, Josh approached the clerk and told him they'd like to buy the sofa and table and told him he'd have to go back to the apartment, empty the Explorer then come back for the furniture. The man asked him, "Are you new to town?" Josh said "Kind of, Sir...I just got back from Iraq. It's our first apartment."

The man was silent a moment, then thanked Josh for his service, and told my son to look around and see if they could find anything else they might need. The man told him that the items were on sale for half price. Josh was pleasantly surprised, and decided they might be able to add a few more things, since they were getting the furniture for less than they originally thought. They looked around for a while, deciding on a few more things like dishes, a chair, a few lamps and something to hang on the living room wall.

Josh approached the man and asked what their total was. That man looked at my son and said "Go over to the register, give us twenty dollars, and we'll call it even."

Josh was stunned. He stammered "Are you sure? I...I...Thank you so much!" The man said "Don't you DARE thank ME. THANK YOU for what you boys are doing for US." Then he said he'd help take the furniture to the apartment for them. Color my boy even more amazed. At this point my daughter-in-law was in tears.

It gets better. After following the kids to the apartment and helping Josh unload, that man who had just given my son a new outlook on his experience post-combat earned even more of my eternal gratitude.

My DIL went to get her purse from the car to pay him for helping them. She got back to the curb as he drove off, waving. Josh was sitting on the curb with his head between his legs. Dakota thought he was praying. He was, but his face was white as a sheet when he looked up. Dakota said, "Babe, what's the matter?" Josh, sporting a serious case of eyeball sweat, said: "He just handed me a hundred-dollar bill and told me to take you out for a nice dinner."

After they got over the nausea and shock, they called me to share this blessing. I bawled like a baby, of course, then asked Josh if the man might have been a Marine, or a veteran. He said, "Oh my Gawd, I should have asked!" (Uh, yeah. Duh.)

My son, who'd spent the last several months doubting the worth of human nature after combat around Fallujah and Ramadi, kept babbling "He MUST have been an angel, Mom. He had to be, he just had to. That guy was an angel sent by God." (Of that, I have no doubts)

I told him, "Yes, honey, he could have been...he could also be "just" one of the grateful Americans I keep insisting are around. I TOLD you they exist. And I TOLD you that you DO make a difference. You may now allow me to say 'I TOLD you so!' " In a tearful, but smug-mama voice, of course.

The kids were at a loss wondering what they could do to thank this wonderful man. I suggested buying a USMC OIF flag, having his unit sign it, and presenting it to that dear, sweet man with many thanks. I plan to thank him as well - with a letter letting him know just what he's done for my son's faith and confidence (and mine). That man might never really fathom what his gesture meant to my family, but I'm going to bust my ass trying to tell him.

My Marine now realizes that what he does DOES make a difference. And hey, we moms just love being right.

Earlier this year, as my son prepared for his second deployment with 1/7, a former Marine who reads this blog sent me a gift certificate and asked me to take him to Ruth's Chris Steak House. We had a wonderful evening and our memories are augmented by the warmth and caring of a retired Marine who wanted to give my son a great meal before 7 months of MREs. Shane will never forget it and neither will I.

If you have an opportunity to bless someone in uniform this Christmas season - or any other time - go for it. Just a sincere "Thank you for serving" can make a difference.

Posted by Deb at 08:26 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack





Tragedy at FOB Marez

The news from Mosul today is heartbreaking and families all over the United States with a beloved son or daughter, husband or wife at FOB Marez, are holding their breath, waiting for a car in the driveway, a knock at the door, a greeting that begins "We regret to inform you...", words that will forever alter their family structure. It's a worry that family members of deployed troops always have running in the back of their minds - always.

Chaplain Lewis who ministers to the troops at FOB Marez shared his experience at the scene:

The day began early as I didn't sleep very well last night. Once I was awake I decided not to just lay there and stare at the darkness so I got up, got dressed, shaved and headed into the TOC, the heart of what goes on. In the TOC (Tactical Operations Center) they monitor several different radio nets to keep abreast of what is happing in the area. It's the place to be if you want up to the minute information. When I arrived it was fairly calm. I made small talk with the guys there and sipped that first cup of morning coffee. The day was clear and there was very little going on, or so it seemed. A very short while later we received the initial reports. In this area there are several "camps" or "posts" that house the various combat and support units that do the day to day fighting and working around here. The first report said that a mortar had just hit one of the nearby chow halls during the middle of lunch (I'm on GMT so my morning is actually the middle of the day). It's called a MASCAL or Mass Casualty event and it's where the rubber meets the road in military ministry. They said there were approximately 10 casualties. That was the extent of it so I kind of filed it away in the back of my mind and continued to sip my coffee. The next report wasn't so good. 10 dead and approximately 50 wounded. They were being transported to the Combat Surgical Hospital down the street. The Chaplain at the CSH is a good guy and I knew he'd be in need of help so I woke my assistant and we rushed to the hospital. I didn't expect what I saw.

The scene was little more than controlled chaos. Helicopters landing, people shouting, wounded screaming, bodies everywhere. As the staff began to triage the dead and wounded I found the chaplain and offered my assistance. He directed me to where he needed me and I dove in. I would be hard pressed to write about every person I had the opportunity to pray with today but I will try to relate a few.

I found Betty on a stretcher being tended by nurses. I introduced myself and held her hand. She looked up at me and said, "Chaplain, am I going to be alright?" I said that she was despite the fact that I could see she had a long road to recovery ahead of her. Most of her hair had been singed off. Her face was burnt fairly badly, although it didn't look like the kind of burns that will scar. What I do know is that it was painful enough to hurt just by being in the sun. I prayed with Betty and moved on.

Ilena (a made up name. She spoke very softly and had a thick accent so I couldn't really hear her) had been hit by a piece of shrapnel just above her left breast causing a classic sucking chest wound. The doctors said she had a hemothorax (I think that's what they called it) which basically meant her left lung was filling with blood and she was having a very hard time breathing. For the next 20 minutes I held her hand while a doctor made an incision in her left side, inserted most of his hand and some kind of medical instrument and then a tube to alleviate the pressure caused by the pooling blood. It was probably the most medieval procedure I have ever been privy to. In the end she was taken to ICU and will be OK.

Mark was put on a stretcher and laid along a wall. A small monitor on his hand would tell the nurses when he was dead. Even a cursory glance said it was inevitable. Mark had a head wound that left brain matter caked in his ear and all over the stretcher he was lying on. I knelt next to Mark and placed a hand on is chest. His heart was barely beating but it was beating so I put my face close to his ear to pray with him. If you've never smelled human brain matter it is something unforgettable. I had something of an internal struggle. He's practically dead so why stay? He probably can't hear anything! A prayer at that point seemed of little value. But I couldn't risk it. I prayed for Mark and led him in the sinners prayer as best I could. There are few things in this life that will make you feel more helpless. After that, I needed some fresh air.

I stepped outside and found the situation to be only slightly less chaotic. The number of body bags had grown considerably since I first went inside. I saw a fellow chaplain who was obviously in need of care himself. I stopped him and put my arm around him and asked how he was doing. A rhetorical question if ever I asked one. He just shook his head so I pulled him in close and prayed for his strength, endurance, a thick skin, and a soft heart. Then I just stood and breathed for a few minutes.

Regardless of what some may say, these are not stupid people. Any attack with casualties will naturally mean that eventually a very large number of care givers will be concentrated in one location. They took full advantage of that. In the middle of the mayhem the first mortar round hit about 100 to 200 meters away. Everyone started shouting to get the wounded into the hospital which is solid concrete and much safer than being in the open. Soon, the next mortar hit quite a bit closer than the first as they "walked" their rounds toward their intended target...us. Everyone began to rush toward the building. I stood at the door shoving as many people inside as I could. Just before heading in myself, the last one hit directly on top of the hospital. I was standing next to the building so was shielded from any flying shrapnel. In fact, the building, being built as a bunker took the hit with little effect. However, I couldn't have been more than 10 to 15 meters from the point of impact and brother did I feel the shock. That'll wake you up! I rushed inside to find doctors and nurses draped over patients, others on the floor or under something. I ducked low and quickly moved as far inside as I could.

After a few tense moments people began to move around again and the business of patching bodies and healing minds continued in earnest. As I stood talking with some other chaplain, an officer approached and not seeing us, yelled, "Is there a chaplain around here?" I turned and asked what I could do. He spoke to us and said that another patient had just been moved to the "expectant" list and would one of us come pray for him. I walked in and found him lying on the bed with a tube in his throat, and no signs of consciousness. There were two nurses tending to him in his final moments. One had a clipboard so I assumed she'd have the information I wanted. I turned to her and asked if she knew his name. Without hesitation the other nurse, with no papers, blurted out his first, middle, and last name. She had obviously taken this one personally. I'll call him Wayne. I placed my hand on his head and lightly stroked his dark hair. Immediately my mind went to my Grandpa's funeral when I touched his soft grey hair for the last time. And for the second time in as many hours I prayed wondering if it would do any good, but knowing that God is faithful and can do more than I even imagine. When I finished I looked up at the nurse who had known his name. She looked composed but struggling to stay so. I asked, "Are you OK?" and she broke down. I put my arm around her to comfort and encourage her. She said, "I was fine until you asked!" Then she explained that this was the third patient to die on her that day.


Visit his site and read the rest.

The families of the fallen troops will be in my prayers. Also, the surviving troops who will be tasked with boxing up the personal effects of those killed and wounded, and sending them home to grieving families. This would be so hard any time of the year but especially during the holiday season when our focus is on home and family and loved ones far away.

Posted by Deb at 07:07 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 20, 2004



Merry Christmas from MSSG 31

“Today, Everyone’s 21.”
Cpl Revere and Sgt Guerrero from MSSG 31 Motor Transport and Headquarters Detachments celebrate with “two beers and a shot” during a belated Marine Corps Birthday celebration.

LtCol James A. Vohr sends this Christmas greeting to friends and family of MSSG

Merry Christmas everybody and an up- front Happy New Year to all. I just looked at the calendar and realized it had been since the 4th of December since I had penned my last update and so that means it is time for another submission to let all know what we are doing.

Things have continued to be challenging here at Camp Fallujah and our daily missions have changed with the maturing situation in the City of Fallujah. We are all still busy, still working hard and that never seems to change. For the last few months, as some of you may realize, we have not had all of the Marines from the MSSG at the same location. Some have been spread out across different camps for one or more reasons which speak to the many different missions we have in this unit. We have, for example, a medical contingent and some of our disbursers and postal Marines who have remained with the MEU command element to provide support to them. They have been away from the MSSG, but have been performing missions no less important and have been doing a great job.

I stopped by the group aid station the other day, as I will often do, to see how our Sailors were doing. During the battle for Fallujah these professionals made an enormous difference and contribution. Every convoy or engineering project that went forward had the constant presence of a corpsman in the event a Marine was injured. Many of our Sailors spent many hours in vehicles or in the city of Fallujah. At daily sick call our corpsmen provided care for not only our Marines, but as I have mentioned before, the soldiers of adjacent Army units. At one point a group of Iraqi soldiers “discovered” our aid station and for a number of days appeared like clockwork to get dressings changed on battle wounds. Our medical logisticians made sure the infantry battalion aid stations located forward had the required supplies prior to even thinking about asking for them. I’m sure this made a difference to many a wounded Marine. We’ve also had corpsmen providing support to the detainee detention facilities at more than one base and in this effort have treated a variety of medical problems they never expected to see.

On of our busiest platoons as late have been our engineers. They have a tremendous amount of capabilities and I don’t think Marine engineers have been so consistently busy since the Vietnam War. They take care of field showers, mobile electric power, bulk fuel and water storage, mine detecting and sweeping, and horizontal construction. They are always in motion and doing a tremendous job supporting the mission.

An element of the MSSG you often don’t think about when it comes to combat service support is Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD). For years this tight knit community has focused on support to training ranges and rendering dud munitions safe. However, OIF has seen all of that change and the services of these experts in their field is in constant demand. They are always on the road, destroying anti-Iraqi forces arms caches or de-fusing and destroying improvised explosive devises. During the battle for Fallujah they spent many days providing direct support to the infantry battalions as they fought through the city. The fact they are so near the fight became obvious to us when one of them was seriously wounded as he worked to destroy munitions in a house that had not yet been cleared. Fortunately, he will be fine, but it demonstrates the nature of what we are doing and the challenges EOD and the rest of the MSSG face on a daily basis.

At the start of this letter I said Merry Christmas. I can certainly say for all we would rather be at home with you for the holidays. Since we can’t we are doing what we have time to do to ensure we recognize the season. For those inclined, there are many opportunities for worship services, as the chaplain corps is here in full force. For everyone too, we are having a “combat Christmas tree” contest to see which platoon can build the best tree with available materials. None of the parts can be store bought, and you should see what the Marines are coming up with as entries. I will be sure and get pictures and post them to the website. We are also having opportunities for the Marines and Sailors to see movies and are running a talent show as well. Finally, the boxes and mail are really flowing, something we all appreciate. Thanks for the continued efforts.

Well, until next time and as always, I’m proud and you should be proud of the Marines and Sailors of MSSG 31. It is an honor to serve with them.

Thanks for all your support

Sincerely,

J. Alex Vohr


Posted by Deb at 03:05 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





Grizzly Greetings

Linda Kelly, Marine Mom currently living near Yellowstone Park, put her professional photography skills to good use for her Christmas cards this year. Here's her holiday greeting for all of you.

Linda's also looking for high resolution images of deployments, homecomings, facial expressions of emotion, Marines in combat, Iraqis, Iraq in general, boot camp, flags, yellow ribbons and fallen soldier images (approved by surviving families) to be used for a slide presentation for the Marine Parents convention next summer. Editors and photographers can contact Linda Kelly for details at Westone Publishing, 3 Crevice Mountain Road, Jardine, MT 59030.

Posted by Deb at 01:38 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 18, 2004



For all you do . . .

Photos by Gunnery Sgt. Chago Zapata

Marines work hard but they know how to play too. Here are pictures of Beer Day, held last Sunday at FOB Hotel. Marines and sailors with 1/4, 11th MEU each received the day off and two beers and a very small bottle of rum. Flag football, ping pong, volleyball and spades tournaments and other activities were arranged by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation representative.


Posted by Deb at 02:02 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 17, 2004



Shopping List

If you're stumped on what to get your favorite Marine Corps Mom or Dad, you can't go wrong with a t-shirt. We sold these last year to raise funds for our Backpacks for Iraq project (we sent 5,000 lbs. of school supplies to Najaf) and have a supply left. Here are pictures:


Gail Loffler and Deb Conrad wore their I Raised A Marine shirts to the 1/7 redeployment last October. Here, they help decorate the fences along Adobe Road at the entrance to the Marine base.

The shirts are available in both white and black. This logo says it all. We have a few sweatshirts left too.
Most of the shirts have plain backs, but we have a few left of the Spring Break 2003 shirts. If your Marine was deployed last year, this is a must-buy.

Send your orders to Connie at sales@marinecorpsmoms.com. Prices are:

$15.00 - shirts (plus postage)

$25.00 - sweatshirts (plus postage)

This year, sales will cover remaining administrative expenses for Operation Santa and costs of running this website.


Posted by Deb at 01:44 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack





None

I'm catching up on my reading and this entry from the Korean War era made me smile:

In the rear of the action, in an R&R; area there were two seperate camps. The first was a well equipped U.S. Army camp that served high quality hot food and had warm sleeping areas. The other was a shabby collection of second-hand tents with poor quality services available to the war-weary Marines.

The Army camp sported a large elaborate sign at the front gate which stated "Within these walls reside soldiers who are second to none." In front of the Marine camp was hung a handpainted sign which simply read,

"NONE."

Posted by Deb at 12:36 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





Dear Hero: America is counting on you

Chaplain Rosa, 24th MEU, writes:

"Dear Hero"... so began a letter I received from a third grade school student from a Christian school in Pennsylvania who was writing to encourage a then anonymous service member-me.

"...It's really nice of you to do what you are doing! I think that's amazing! America is counting on you. I always wanted to be a hero. So be proud that you're one.... It would be cool if you wrote me back! May God be with you!" Sincerely, Toni V.

Hero? I have never thought of myself as a hero. Heroes for me tended to be those people who are larger than life, who achieve major accomplishments and go on to legendary status. Then again I stopped to think what this third grade student wrote and I realized that the world is full of heroes- ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen, teachers, moms, dads, grandparents, police, clergy, firefighters, doctors, plumbers, waitresses, secretaries, and students etc, even young ones are heroes. Heroes are those who don't give up on their responsibilities despite being tired, challenged or threatened. Heroes do the 'extra' ordinary by going that extra mile and seeing a task to completion and doing it with the right attitude-because it's the right thing to do.

The Holy Scriptures are filled with heroes of faith-- ordinary people who did extraordinary things like believing the possible when all seemed impossible or loving the unloving and staying faithful when others walked away from faith in God because of disappointment, frustration or even anger.

I wrote back to Toni and now I have a new extended family. I have a newfound group of young heroes who do the "extra" ordinary thing such as writing letters of encouragement and support or sending me care packages. When I have a long hard day and things don't always seem to go right, I think of Toni's words of encouragement and that heroes are ordinary people who do not give up because of temporary limitations or set backs and I recommit to the cause. But the real hero in all this is the 'ordinary' little girl in Pennsylvania who wrote an extraordinary letter and revolutionized my way of thinking. Toni and all of Mrs. Brown's students you are my new found heroes!

Lt. Cmdr. Louis Rosa, 24th MEU Chaplain.

There are kids like Toni all over the United States who need a hero to look up to . . . and there is no one more deserving of the title than a United States Marine.

Posted by Deb at 12:22 AM



December 16, 2004



I-A-M-B-L-I-N-D

Here's another story about one of our wounded heroes who refuses to give in to self-pity. He's an amazing Marine.

Read the eye chart on the wall. That's what they wanted Mike Jernigan to do.

He could've blasted back with some cutting remark. Maybe even complained to a supervisor. But when someone at a hospital is trying to help you, and you're a Marine, you give it your best shot.

So if he was supposed to read the eye chart, as the technician had asked without even looking up, that's what he would do.

After an awkward silence, Mike began:

"I-A-M-B-L-I-N-D."

Read the rest.

Posted by Deb at 09:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 15, 2004



"We don't quit just because it gets hard."

Cassandra has a roundup of blog thoughts on the armor shortage debate. Brendan Minitar discusses problems with the military procurement system and Grayhawk weighs in with a military perspective.

MCM reader Jason also sends along this opinion from his cousin, 1stLt Sacavage, 1MARDIV, who is a twice deployed Marine:

Yes, there is a lack of "up-armored" HMMWVs in theater, though this can be misleading. The up-armored HMMWV (the M1114) was actually only minimally in the Army inventory and was never a Marine Corps vehicle. We went into Baghdad the first time with just the highback HMMWVs with soft doors and the hardback HMMWVs which have supplemental armor (for shrapnel protection - won't stop 7.62 small arms fire)

When the insurgency began they started kicking up production of this M1114 vehicle, but that's a large feat, as it comes with its own supply trail, plus the up armored HMMWV can't carry gear, just personnel and a gunner. In the meantime they were outfitting the highbacks (gear/personnel carriers) and hardbacks (personnel/gunner) with supplemental armor - the green kits you see, which will stop a round.

When I first rolled into OIF II we had first generation pieces of this, but a few months in we were outfitted with a thicker gauge with better hinges. Policy was that no vehicle left the forward operating base without supplemental armor.

I have numerous friends and colleagues that survived significant blasts in HMMWVs with the supplemental armor, including one where an artillery shell detonated in front of and behind the vehicle. I believe between the supplemental armor and kevlar blankets, Small Arms Protection Inserts, and ballistic glass that we have fairly good protection, though nothing's perfect and my battalion sadly did lose Marines to IEDs while in vehicles.

Keep in mind these insurgents have blown up entire M1 tanks, so no armor is perfect, and ultimately the mission takes priority. It's not feasible to roll around in tanks alone and we'd ultimately fail if we tried.

As for the soldier? I feel it's unprofessional. Rumsfeld's comments about going to war with the gear you have is right - the enemy is constantly evolving and we'll never be able to engineer the danger out of war. So many of these "conscientious objectors" and guys that just go UA are simply cowards feeding off an excuse the media is fueling. We don't just quit because it gets hard.

I don't know the whole story, there may be more to it, but when I was there armor was a hot topic. Advances were being made every day.


Posted by Deb at 06:00 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





Fort Apache - Iraq: “You order, we mortar”

Here are a couple of updates from the Gunny and Platoon Sgt. of 2nd LAR, Weapons Co. Again, their courage and bravery under fire is compelling reading.

Weapons Platoon is the largest platoon in Apache Company. At full strength, 33 Marines, one Navy Corpsman and 6 Vehicles, we provide the Commanding Officer an Indirect fire asset and also the ability to engage and destroy Main Battle Tanks and other Armored vehicles. The six-man Engineer Squad gives us the capability to construct and breech obstacles. To date, the Weapons platoon has performed a variety of tasks and missions ranging from mess duty at Camp Baharia, to the Engineers blowing up and disposing of Improvised Explosive Devices, we have taken our turn at camp guard, camp police and even found time to shoot a few TOW missiles and drop a few mortar rounds. In my 18 years in the Marine Corps, I have had the opportunity to meet and work with a number of people. I can honestly say that the MEN that make this platoon are some of the finest I have served with.

SSgt Tierney, the Platoon Sergeant, will go more into detail about the TOW section and Cpl Golden will highlight the Engineers. In the weeks to follow expect much more timely updates and more about the individuals that make up this unique Platoon.

Recently we assumed the duty of manning a Traffic Control Point on a Peninsula to the west of Fallujah. The Platoon has occupied a house that acts as the Command Post for the VCP and the Security and Reconnaissance Patrols that we run on a daily basis in our Area of Operation. To date, the Platoon has found and disposed of several IEDs, Unexploded Munitions, recovered several weapons and aided some of the displaced civilians by helping them to retrieve some of there belongings along with food, clothing and blankets from there homes. We have had a squad of seven Iraqi soldiers attached to us, which has been a big help in interacting with the local populace.

Although not the most popular subject to discuss with loved ones, the Platoon played a significant role in the siege of Fallujah, especially to the south. The TOW section was in direct support of the Line Platoons, while the Mortars were detached from the Company and attached to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion. From Fire Base Apache, we dropped almost 700 rounds in support of two Recon Companies and our own Apache Company. The phrase as coined by PFC Timothy Mclaren, “You order, we mortar” held true threw out the siege.

I want to thank all of you for allowing me the opportunity to serve with your sons, brothers, husbands and fathers.

SSgt Tierney's update is continued below.


I am Staff Sergeant Tierney, the Platoon Sergeant for that thing known as "Weapons Platoon." In addition, to my duties as Platoon Sergeant, I am also the Section Leader for the Anti-Tank Section, and a Vehicle Commander for an LAV-AT.

Weapons Platoon has been doing what only could be considered an excellent job since we have arrived Iraq. A diverse and adaptable bunch, Weapons Platoon is constantly tasked with a wide variety of missions, from Vehicle Checkpoints to Dismounted Patrolling to whatever the CO may call for us to accomplish. There is no task too difficult, too challenging, too unusual or sometimes too boring for Weapons Platoon to accomplish. "Semper Gumby" (Always Flexible) isn't just a phrase tossed about within the platoon; it’s a way of life.

There are three distinct sections within the platoon. First is the Mortar Section. With its 2 LAV-M's and capable crews, they provide an unmatched ability to support the company's mission with indirect fires or whatever may be required. Next is the Anti-Tank Section. At full strength, the section has 4 LAV-AT's and the capability to destroy any armored threat on the battlefield. The third section is our Engineers. These six Marines excel at both building and blowing things up, but mostly they like to blow things up.

So much has happened since we have arrived; it is tough to try to find a starting point. However, I'll begin with an update of what has happened most recently. Additionally, I will to try to give you an idea of how are platoon fits into the big picture.

On 15 November, at about 1545 local time, a 122mm rocket landed approximately 5 meters from my vehicle and exploded. I didn't hear the rocket coming in, and only felt a huge wave of heat and pressure. My left arm caught the majority of the effects as I was standing in the Vehicle Commander's position on my LAV-AT. The rest of my crew received minor injuries, mostly due to luck and the excellent construction of the vehicles, although my Gunner, LCpl Carnahan would later be sent back to the US so he could get better care for his wound. A piece of shrapnel hit his left wrist and the Doctors wanted him to get the best possible care.

I knew I was hit, and sent a radio message to that effect, but most important to me was how the rest of my crew was. When I saw they had all sustained minor injuries I was relieved to say the least, and I allowed HM3 Kloppenborg to start treating my wounds.

I was Medevac'd to Bravo Surgical on Camp MEK and they continued my care. I can tell you first hand that the doctors, nurses and corpsman working there are the very best and care deeply about their patients.

A week later, I was allowed to return to Fort Apache and continue my recovery.

The rest of my crew, LCpl Contreras, and LCpl Johnston were able to return to full duty and are currently taking good care of my vehicle while it is temporarily under "new management".

THE ANTI-TANK SECTION

As you may guess, there are few enemy tanks left in Iraq. After the first Gulf War, and later Operation Iraqi Freedom the vast majority of the Iraqi's tanks were destroyed or captured. In addition, the insurgents favor tactics that do not involve large armored vehicles.

So you may ask, "What does an Anti-Tank section do when there are no tanks?" Well, as it happens, the TOW missiles that we use are not only good at blowing holes straight through over two feet of solid steel on a tank, but can be pretty handy when you need to put a hole in a building. In fact, based upon my experience, they are pretty good for making a doorway on one side of a building and putting a window in the other. Of course, they also put a hurt on whoever is trying to shoot at the Apache Nation from that building.

The Anti-Tank section is seldom used as a section by itself, but is commonly attached to the "Line Platoons" (1st, 2nd and 3rd Platoons each with 4 LAV-25's). The LAV-ATs have powerful day and night optics that enable them to track and identify vehicles and personnel in any weather conditions. Often, a vehicle or pair of vehicles is placed where it can watch a specific area of interest, while the platoon it is attached to will provide the local security. With their optics and firepower, the Anti-Tank Section is a welcome addition to any platoon.

Second Platoon has had a special relationship with the Anti-Tank Section. Circumstances being as they are left them short one vehicle. And each of the LAV-AT crews has spent some time with Second Platoon, not as an attachment or additional force, but as an integral part of the platoon. My vehicle was filling such a role when it was hit.

The Anti Tank Section is:

SSgt Tierney VC of 3 (currently on light duty)
Sgt McNichol Current VC of 3
Cpl Singles Gunner of 3 (Replacing LCpl Carnahan)
LCpl Javier Contreras Driver of 3
LCpl Johnston Loader for 3

Sgt Whitmore VC of 5 (and acting Platoon Sergeant and Section Leader)
LCpl Frederickson Gunner of 5
LCpl Johnson Driver of 5
LCpl Snyder Loader of 5

Sgt Coleman VC of 6
Cpl Reukauf Gunner of 6
LCpl Hoover Driver of 6
LCpl Ellison Loader of 6

LCpl Boswell and LCpl Dunphy eagerly await the arrival of a new LAV-AT to replace the one that was damaged when we first arrived in country. At that time there will be a bit of crew reshuffling. Until then, they are working in various tasks to help the company complete its assigned missions.

THE MORTAR SECTION

GySgt Brower, the Weapons Platoon Commander, leads the Mortar Section. However, Sgt Olsen of Mitchell, South Dakota, handles the day-to-day operation and the coordination of all fires. The Mortar Section rides in two LAV's that resemble some gypsy wagons with all the gear strapped to the outside and a bunch of heads popped up in the main compartment looking around. The Mortar Section has one primary mission "To provide accurate and timely indirect fires." In this they excel. To accomplish this mission, the section is again broken in to four different elements; the FDC (Fire Direction Center) consists of 3 Marines. Sgt Olson, LCpl “Big” Webb, and PFC Mclaren. The Forward Observers call the target information to PFC Mclaren, he in turn relays it to Sgt Olsen and LCpl Webb who calculate the data, confirm the data, then pass it to the 2nd element, that being the Gun Line. The Gun Line consists of two 81mm Mortar tubes mounted in the LAVs. Gun one is manned by LCpl Adam “the best mortar gunner in the Corps” Wagner, and his Assistant Gunner LCpl Henderson. Gun one is also known as the adjust gun, meaning that any missions where the rounds must be adjusted on to target will be shot by this gun. The Ammo Man for Gun 1 is PFC Vales. His duties include laying the gun on its Direction of fire, ensuring the correct nature of ammo is selected, ensuring that the ammunition count and re-supply is done. It is also the responsibility of Gun 1 to ensure that Gun 2, manned by LCpl Rumbley, his A-Gunner, LCpl Renfro, along with Ammo Man, PFC “Little” Webb. Upon the completion of each Fire Mission, element 3, headed up by LCpl Madden and assisted by LCpl Harkness takes over. It is there duty to ensure that each Ammo Man is provided with the type and number of rounds to fire another mission. At times this can be a difficult task as some missions role from one target to another. They must also advise the Section Leader of Ammo on hand and anticipate re-supply. The 4th element consists of the Gunny who ensures the sections gets into the best location for firing, drinks lots of coffee, gets in Sgt Oslons way and we are still trying to figure out what he does after that. Additionally, the Mortar section must be prepared to conduct dismounted operations to include MOUT, Military Operations on Urban Terrain, vehicle and personnel checkpoints and any other tasks that may be directed by the Commanding Officer.

Most recently the Mortar Section fired numerous fire missions in support of operations in and around the city of Fallujah during the taking of the city.

The Mortar Section is:

GySgt Brower, Platoon Commander and VC of 1
PFC McLaren, driver for 1 and Radio Operator
LCpl Webb, FDC Chief (Fire Direction Center) on 1
LCpl Wagner, Gunner for 1
LCpl Henderson, Assistant Gunner for 1
PFC Vales, Ammo Man for 1

Sgt Olsen, FDC and VC for 2
LCpl Madden, driver for 2 and Ammo NCO
LCpl Rumbley, Gunner for 2
LCpl Renfro, Assistant Gunner for 2
PFC Webb, Ammo Man for 2
LCpl Harkenss, The platoon mechanic, and mortar guy in training on 2 and Assistant Ammo NCO

THE ENGINEERS

The six engineers who make up the Engineer Section at the very least have a bit of an identity problem. They belong to Weapons Platoon, work in pairs for the Line Platoons, and when they all work together they can be attached to HQ Platoon. Unlike the rest of the Marines in the company, they do not necessarily have a vehicle to call their own and it is usually only after a mission is announced that they can find out where they are riding. By contrast it is rare for the other Marines in the company to shift about on vehicles mission to mission. However, "Engineers Can Do" and "Semper Gumby" are the mottos of this bunch.

The engineers are led by Cpl Golden, and are all originally from 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion, which is also based on Camp Lejeune. The engineers provide a unique capability to the company. With unmatched demolitions skills, there is nothing to big for them to blow up. Mostly, their demolitions expertise is called upon to destroy Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and weapons or ammo caches. Recently, however, the engineers were asked to take down 4 trees to clear a lane of observation on a target area and within 30 minutes they had the four trees down in a big cloud of smoke.

The engineers aren't only about blowing stuff up though. Whether it is trying to determine the trafficabilty of a route or the capacity of a bridge, they assist in our reconnaissance operations. The engineers are also skilled with a hammer and a saw and are quite adept at construction. Many of the projects around the camp have been built by, or been influenced or assisted by our engineers.

The Engineer Section is:

Cpl Elrod and Cpl Bauer who work with 1st Platoon

Cpl Golden and LCpl Ponce who work with 2nd Platoon

Cpl Talamantes and Cpl Cardona who work with 3rd Platoon

The newest member of the Platoon is our Navy Corpsman, HN “Doc” Bailey. His duties include; daily sick call for the Platoon, including the Iraqi soldiers, daily hygiene inspections for the Command Post and surrounding areas, and if needed too, but hopefully not, treat battle field casualties and arrange for medivac if needed. Doc will not hesitate to fill a sand bag or assist in searching cars on the VCP. He is big asset to the Platoon.

Posted by Deb at 01:40 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





Keeping Villanous Company

Cassandra's back . . . unleashed. Check out her new blog, Villainous Company, and put it on your favorites list. She's wickedly funny and always good for an aha! moment and a link to another great blog. Check out this must-read link to a post appearing on a new-to-me site, The Diplomad. Excerpt here, but do read the entire thing.

Among the MSGs at this post we have two fresh from combat in Iraq, and itching to go back. These youngsters, one 19, the other 21 (both younger than my kids!), seem genuinely puzzled when we civilians ask, "So what was it like?" They can't seem to believe that anybody would be interested in, much less amazed by hearing about coming under mortar attack or driving a truck at high speed down some "Hogan's Alley-type" street lined with crazed and armed Jihadists. They relate it in a shy, matter-of-fact manner, full of military jargon. And they want to go there, again.

Watching these guys as they pulled toys out of the big "Marines' Toys for Tots" box in the Embassy lobby and hearing their cheerful shouts of "Oh, cool! Check this one out!" I couldn't help but think, "They're kids. They're just kids. Probably not much older than the orphans to whom they'll give those toys." I kept thinking about my own kids, living safely in the States, and the fact that they're older than these kids, these Marines.

But then I went with the "kids" out to the gun range. Suddenly they became deadly serious. The "kids" disappear; no goofing around; strict discipline and concern for safety kicks in. They certainly know firearms, and treat them with respect and care. It was quite a sight to see the former "kids" deliberately, methodically pumping out rounds from their M-4s -- single shot, three-shot bursts, full auto -- punching out quarter-size groups in targets I can barely see. They don't look like kids, anymore. They look like Hollywood's idea of Marines; like the actors John Wayne "led" in "Sands of Iwo Jima." Now my thinking shifts to, "I wouldn't want to go up against these guys." And for a brief, very brief moment, I almost feel pity for the poor stupid thugs in Falluja who had dared tangle with the Marines, "You jerks haven't got a chance. Just call Dr. Kevorkian and get it over with."


Posted by Deb at 12:35 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack



December 14, 2004



Devon's First Ball

Devon Curtis Jones recently celebrated the 229th birthday of the United States Marine Corps - eleven months before he'll celebrate his own first birthday. Here's a picture of him surrounded by 14 honorary uncles who will stand in for his father, Sgt. Curtis Jones, who is now guarding the streets of Heaven with other Marines who are waiting on the other side.

6th ESB USMC Ball
November 3, 2004
Portland, OR
From left to right, back row: MstSgt Extran, Sgt Nesbitt, Sgt Miller, Cpl Deutcher, Cpt Rinaldi, LCpl Balkwell, Sgt Sessa-Pasera, SSgt Storm, Cpl Vrias, LCpl Redfield, LCpl Buswell
Front Row: Sgt Van Eaton, Bobbi and Devon Jones, LCpl Martin, Cpl Rossi

Here are links to earlier posts on Devon's baby shower and birth.

Posted by Deb at 03:56 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack





1/7 Alpha Company Update


"Our flag's unfurl'd to every breeze, from dawn to setting sun"

Here's the latest from 1/7 Alpha Company.

Dear Wives, Family Members, and Friends, We have finally reached December and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. However, the Company is focused and continuing on in its mission. I wish I could express to you the fantastic job that your Marines are doing. The hours are long; the gear is heavy, and the mission tedious. Still, their spirit is not broken and their will unbreakable. If only the news can see these guys the way I do.

Congratulations go out to our newly promoted Marines: Cpl. Johnson, Cpl. Devers, LCpl. Gutierrez, LCpl. Manjuarrez, and Pfc. Lewis. Meritoriously Promoted is Cpl. Merrill. Good Job!

Now I want to focus on you, the wives, families, and friends of Alpha Company. This is my 21st year of service in the Corps and I have never seen the kind of support we are receiving. Every time we go to pick up our mail, we have to use the HMMWV to do it. A mountain of letters and packages are delivered every three or four days. We have received hygiene items, magazines, games, books, and many different types of food and Christmas decorations. To my amazement, we even received full sized Christmas Trees. I must admit that the most important things we have received are your encouraging words and love. From wives to schoolchildren, from Veterans to teachers, from girl friends to people whom we don’t even know, the letters role in. Thank you.

Soon Christmas and New Years will be upon us and these are hard times to be separated from the one you love. Soon that day will come. The sun will rise and he will be home. Until that time comes, I can assure you we will keep his head in the game. I will leave you with this quote, which seems very appropriate at this time.

General Douglas MacArthur, US Army:
"I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world!"

Semper Fidelis,
1stSgt Weir A. M.

Posted by Deb at 03:25 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack



December 10, 2004



Reports from Husaybah and Al Qaim

USMC parents and spouses live for news broadcasts where they might - just might - catch a glimpse of their Marine. Some locations are so remote that it just doesn't happen - I have my Google News alerts set for Husaybah and days or weeks go by without a word. It's not that the region is quiet - far from it. But, there are no reporters to chronicle the battle for truth, justice and democracy. However, FOX News reporter Steve Harrigan is my new favorite reporter after filing this slice-of-life report from Husaybah today.

Four of us in a room here, but Marines know how to get along in small spaces. When we came in, the Chief Warrant Officer sat on the floor in a corner and went to sleep sitting up while we got our equipment ready.

"Real eggs today," an officer said to us on our way in to chow.

"I heard they got real eggs today," a corporal said to us on our way out.

I hadn't noticed. I was just a visitor to this world. I had the eggs and a cold biscuit, but passed on the Cheerios because all they had was strawberry, chocolate, or banana flavored milk.

Then I left the table, stood outside, and had a cup of coffee in a paper cup with three non-dairy powdered creamers and two packets of sugar, that were wet from the morning dew and stuck in clumps. I moved so the sun hit me. Another perfect blue morning. I added another sugar, stirred it with a plastic knife and looked out at the camp. Nothing was moving in the mud. Somewhere it was Sunday morning.

Chow gets worse the closer you get to the fighting. The first thing to go is ice cream, then salads, then vegetables. Then you go to A-rats. Then MRE's.

In Homer's "Iliad" the best fighters get the choicest cuts of meat. In the military it's the reverse, the conditions are hardest for those who have the hardest fighting.

Real eggs. Something we take for granted here, but the men of 1/7 Baker Company have been eating MREs for months. Thanks to some very generous donations to Operation Santa, we were able to mail microwaves and electric griddles, with enough pancake mix and syrup for a holiday pancake feed for all Marines and Corpsmen at Camp Gannon.

Harrigan continues:

Sometimes I hear stuff I've never heard before. Sgt. Cress is in charge of keeping me safe so he's always with me. We started to walk towards the live shot position last night, then I broke off from him.

"Piss call?" he said.

"Yeah."

It was a piss call, a new phrase for me, and a trip to the "piss tube." They are three-foot white tubes at about a 45 degree angle in to the ground that you urinate into. I encountered my first tube in Fallujah, and like most men, enjoyed having a target. The tubes here are covered with a mesh screen, which creates minor splashing, hence the process is not so satisfying.

Ordinary things in a war zone are more deliberate. To take a dump here you have to put on your flak jacket and helmet, go outstide and walk a few hundred yards to a wooden stall and sit on boards over a hole. It is not something you do casually.

Marines who have endured Iraqi summers report that head calls result in an experience much like getting their butts sandblasted. Now that temperatures are dropping below freezing, I'm wondering how they'll describe the conditions upon their return.

Proud 1/7 Marine Mom, LouAnn Stark was able to see her son via a video link also from the FOX site - just click on the Video tab and select Barbed-Wire Border Turns to Sand. Sorry, no clickable link.

Harrigan also visited Al Qaim - 12 miles and a lifetime away from Husaybah where he interviewed Corporal Terry Orndoff, also with 1/7. Click on the video link titled Al Qaim: Benefits Outweigh Risks to watch.


Posted by Deb at 01:38 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 09, 2004



Michael Moore, step up!

Via Backcountry Conservative, here's a challenge from one Michael to another:

December 7, 2004


Mr. Michael Moore
XXXXX
New York, NY 10XXX

Dear Mr. Moore,

No doubt about it: The American soldier has done a lot for Michael Moore.

Hundreds of thousands of them are serving right now in Afghanistan and Iraq--two wars you opposed--defending you from a terrorist threat you claim does not exist. As you frequently point out, more than 1,000 of these soldiers and Marines have died, and thousands more of them have been injured.

These soldiers have also made you quite a bit of money. The most powerful scenes in your film Fahrenheit 9/11 feature soldiers and their families, specifically those servicemen who were wounded or killed in battle. Your new book, Will They Ever Trust Us Again--a collection of letters you've received from members of the military who served in Iraq-- will likely gross hundreds of thousands of dollars for you and your publisher.

As I said, America's soldiers have been very good to you. Most of them don't like you, but they're prepared to die attempting to protect you from terrorism so that you can continue to crank out your profitable propaganda.

They’ve done all this for you. I’m writing to give you the opportunity to do something for them.

My radio station, 630 WMAL, is leading a fundraising effort on behalf of the Fisher Houses here in the Washington, DC area and the Fisher House Foundation. Given your obsession with the costs of the War on Terror, you are no doubt familiar with the magnificent work done by the Fisher House on behalf of wounded soldiers and their families.

These families are struggling with the emotional consequences of a battlefield injury and its treatment. Fisher House helps solve some of the short-term financial and logistical challenges for the wives, children and parents who have wounded loved ones receiving treatment at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Hospital or Malcolm Grow Medical at Andrews Air Force base.

The message of your books and films is that the American soldier is a victim. The soldiers I’ve spoken with at Fisher House vehemently disagree with you, as do the majority of my active-duty military listeners. However, we all agree that the soldiers who have been the victims of Iraqi terrorist violence (I think you call them “the true patriots, the Minute Men”) deserve our support.

Therefore, I am writing to challenge you to give back just a small portion of the money you have earned as a critic of their mission. Your film Fahrenheit 9/11 has grossed around $150 million. Our entire goal for the Fisher House this holiday season is a tiny percentage of that amount.

Though I am a confirmed right-winger, I believe there should be no partisan divide when it comes to standing by our troops. My fellow WMAL employees and I are dedicating our time, efforts and money to that proposition. The question, Mr. Moore, is whether or not you will do the same.

Many Americans feel that you have exploited the injuries of our soldiers for partisan purposes but have no real concern for them or their families. On behalf of the Fisher House, I would be thrilled to receive your generous donation as evidence that we are wrong.

If you feel, however, that the money can be better spent on yet another trip to France, nobody will be surprised.

You can send your check made out to the Fisher House Foundation, care of 630 WMAL, 4400 Jenifer Street NW, Washington, DC 20015.

Thank you for your time.

Michael Graham
630 WMAL
Washington, DC

Posted by Deb at 10:47 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack





A P.O.G. pays tribute to 1/3 Charlie infantry Marines

Sgt. Clinton Firstbrook, combat correspondent with 1st Marine Division, wrote this candid and compelling account of his experience with 1/3 Charlie during the Battle of Fallujah.

On Nov. 8, I was cramped inside an Amtrac with 28 Marines in full combat gear when two mortar rounds landed next to our position. The flash lit the inside of the vehicle and the Marines who were standing fell. Several screamed they had been hit. As sparks floated to the floor, and as blood from the Marine standing next to me ran down the side of my flak jacket, all I could think was “What had I gotten myself into?”

Four months ago, my life was different. I worked in the Community Relations office at the Pentagon, which I refer to as the concrete jungle; one wrong turn and you’re lost. I wore service Charlies every day and only broke out my cammies for field day. An average day for me consisted of answering phone calls, faxes and e-mails from people who had questions about the Marine Corps. My main job was handling Marine Corps band requests from all around the U.S. It was an administrative job, but it wasn’t too bad. Stress for me was waiting around for the shuttle bus to go back to Henderson Hall when it didn’t show up on time. When a quota came out requesting combat correspondents to deploy for Iraq, I raised my hand. It’s hard to explain why now, but I just wanted to be a part of what was going on over here. Six months later, I was working at the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad, traveling around the country writing stories on all of the services stationed in Iraq. I saw my fair share of mortar attacks and convoy patrols, but never any real combat. A week before we entered Fallujah, I was assigned to the I Marine Expeditionary Force to report on the 1st Marine Division’s Marines, soldiers, sailors and airmen during the impending Operation Al Fajr.

A few days after arriving to Camp Fallujah, I was attached to Charlie’s third platoon, in 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. Running around with a camera the size of a football doesn’t really allow you to blend. I heard jokes as soon as my boots hit the ground. First they asked if I’m a photographer, then came the lines from “Full Metal Jacket.” “Seen any combat?” Nothing I’m not used to though, it goes with the territory.

As the days went by, I tried to attend every brief and training exercise the platoon conducted. I wanted to know exactly where I’d be placed when we got into the thick of things. I’m a P.O.G. (person other than grunt) and proud of it, but I didn’t want to do anything stupid when rounds were going down range.

Three days before we left , I was assigned to first squad, third fire team. I would be the fourth man. They were a tight group of guys who did everything together and understand why the higher ups wanted me along for this mission. They answered every question I had about their role in the squad. Even after the platoon had finished its training each day, they spent countless hours with me going over tactics to make sure I would know what to do and how to react when thrown into certain situations. However, none of the extra training prepared me for that first night in the Fallujah.

When the Amtrac doors opened and everyone ran out, I didn’t even think of trying to take pictures. I ran right behind someone and jumped down right next to him. All I wanted to do was find cover. Two members of my fire team were extracted by medevac right then and there. I was left to fend for myself, and so was the other Marine left from my fire team. I just looked to the guys beside me and did what they did.

When we loaded up again to head for the breech point, my legs started shaking uncontrollably. I tried to hide it, but I know whoever was sitting next to me felt it. I grabbed a railing in the opening of the Amtrac to steady myself and put my hand in a pool of blood. I knew exactly what it was and tried to wipe it off right away. I didn’t want to think about what had just happened.

When we arrived at the breech point a few hundred meters from the city, there were no fires or explosions to light our way. It was a moonless night, and I could barely make out the Marines who were running in front of me. We trekked through ankle-deep mud, stumbling over the holes and ditches hidden in the shadows of our night-vision goggles. We were trying to find our way to the point where we were supposed to infiltrate the city. I was still shaken up, but I pushed forward.

When we arrived at the edge of the city, all was quiet except for the rumbling prayers emanating from a mosque that was held by insurgents. We were the first platoon from 1/3 to enter Fallujah, and the enemy was unaware of our presence.

We sneaked as quiet as possible down the first street of broken-down buildings looking for a place to establish a foothold – our first objective. While part of the platoon looked for a house to base our operations, the rest of us bounded in fire teams to the first intersection. As I lay in the prone behind a mound of dirt alongside two other Marines, I could make out our second objective: a mosque held by insurgents.

We only laid there for a minute or two when I started hearing shouts in Arabic that seemed to be coming from right around the corner: “Ensha Allah! (God willing) Allahhoo akbar! (God is great).”

I couldn’t see anyone, but I knew they were out there waiting. Then it happened. Barrel flashes from AK-47s sprayed tracer rounds over our heads at once in every direction. Our battle for Fallujah had started, and I was nowhere near ready for it.

When there was a lull in gun fire, we pulled back to a safer position. Not being able to see everything and having rounds bearing down on my position – plus the mortar incident earlier – was too much. I thought I was going to die right then and there. I’m a P.O.G. What am I doing here on the front lines? I don’t belong here. Thoughts like that echoed in my mind as each second passed and I made them well known. I didn’t care. I wanted out of there and back in the rear. To my surprise, I wasn’t laughed at or mocked. They told me it’ll be all right and not to worry; they were going to watch my back. The Marines I talked to said they were just as scared. While they said they were afraid, I didn’t see their fear. None of them faltered or hesitated while doing their jobs. I watched as they ran through a hail of bullets diving behind a makeshift wall of cinder blocks to lay down cover and suppressing fire as other members of their squad ran to other positions down the street. I have respect for all Marines no matter what their occupation because they earned the title just as I did, but that night, I gained a newfound respect for “O3’s,” – infantrymen – different from the respect I gave everyone else.

For some reason, when the sun rose, my fear melted away with the night sky. Everything that had occurred only hours before seemed unreal like I was watching a movie. During the weeks that followed, I fed off the strength of the Marines around me and the patrols and fire fights hardly bothered me. Don’t get me wrong, I was still nervous every time we went in to clear a house, but I felt different somehow in a way that I can’t even describe. I hope the history books depict Fallujah as it should, describing the heroic acts and sacrifices of the Marines who took part in the operation. In time, some of my memories might fade only to be remembered when I scan over the images I captured on film, but I will never forget the Marines of Charlie Company who fought beside me. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them. They are the reason I can tell this story today.


Posted by Deb at 12:53 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack



December 08, 2004



1/10 update from Camp Fallujah

More news from the front, this time from 1/10 Charlie, via Laurie Want. Note the props for Op Santa volunteers - my records show that Laurie Want, Cheryl LePage, Karen and Tom, Hawthorne School from Sweet Home, Oregon, and Deb Thane coordinated stockings and gifts for the 5 platoons of Charlie Company.

Friends and Families of Charlie Battery happy holidays from your Marines defending freedom and democracy from Camp Fallujah, With OPERATION PHANTOM FURY, otherwise known as the battle of Fallujah, drawing to an end life aboard the camp is returning to almost normal. The Marines have seen the population of the camp double, the chow hall serve only two meals a day and a nightly light show over the city as the assault commenced. Life for the Marines changed very little other than an increased sense of awareness. In preparation for the offensive, some of the resident units on the camp and some soldiers from a nearby camp augmented us. We worked side by side and made new friends along the way and in some cases learned from each other.

Your Marines continued to man towers, work the gates and defend the pump house, the only water supply for the camp. During the onslaught of the battle for the city we encountered an increased frequency of incoming rocket and mortar fire, that has since subsided and the last few days have been relatively quiet. I am pleased to say that we have yet to encounter our first casualty or serious injury. Of the engagements we have seen, in every incident your Marines have reacted as they were trained and been successful and without injury. I can assure you all of your Marines are safe and in good health.

As Thanksgiving approached the Staff Non-Commissioned Officers, Warrant Officers and Officers of the battery and MEF HQ Group volunteered to man the posts for the Marines to afford them the opportunity to have the holiday meal in a warm chow hall. The holiday meal was a feast of ham, turkey, prime rib, shrimp and all the trimmings. It was quite entertaining to see Master Sergeants, Senior Chiefs, Majors and a Lieutenant Colonel relieve the Marines on the post. Thank goodness the bad guys didn’t know, because if they had attacked it would have been a significant emotional event for all involved. In the end, I think the replacements enjoyed their time on the wall. If nothing else, it gave them a taste of what your Marines do on a daily basis, which is always good to know. We have seen a drop in temperatures here and in the next few days freezing temperatures are expected. We are doing what we can to keep the Marines comfortable, the thought of someday going home safe to families and friends is enough to keep most of them warm in the mean time.

I would like to thank all those that have sent Thanksgiving and Christmas mail to us. We receive about 200 lbs of mail a day and have filled a couple of storage containers with Christmas packages. These packages are filled with stockings, letters and holiday spirit from home. Soon we’ll put up the Christmas tree and surround it with the packages and gifts from home. Happy holidays and thanks again for the your support of the Marines of Charlie Battery.

and

October was an interesting month. We have completed the “changing of the guard” and assumed the areas of responsibility, which our counterparts have left for us. In the midst of getting adjusted to our new surroundings and activities, we have successfully reenlisted the following Marines: Cpl Ellis, Cpl Glover, Sgt Woodard, and Sgt Mondloch. To the family and friends of these warriors, thank you for your support and dedication to stay in the Marine Corps family.

Creativity has been apparent this month as when Halloween came it was quite shocking to see a Marine with his face totally painted in the scheme of a circus clown, with the hair to boot. I don’t know who he was, but it was done up pretty good. You could tell by the decorations within the hallways of the barracks, we still had the Halloween spirit. I cannot count the times I had to duck around the hanging spiders on the strings as I walked the corridors. It was GREAT!!

November is closing out and we have gorged ourselves with a well-planned and deserved Thanksgiving meal at the mess hall. We are shifting gears, much like all of you at home, in regards to the change in weather. If you had any doubts about the desert getting cold, well let me tell you for the record, “YES” it does.

Special Thanks, to all of the “Operation Santa All Stars”. Your boxes have been arriving by the tons and our lonely little mail clerk LCpl Cheung, can now compete against Arnold Schwarzenegger (OORAH). We are just about set for Christmas, I wonder if there is a Santa suit for the CO, Hhmmm?

We are Charlie Battery!!!
“ If you aren’t on the edge…you are taking up too much space”
1stSgt Wilson
“THE SYMBOL”

Okay, I'm putting Santa Suits on the list for OpSanta 2005! I can't wait to see those pictures.

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December 07, 2004



Operation Santa arrives in Camp Al Qaim


We've heard reports that Operation Santa stockings are arriving all over Iraq. Here's a picture of a few good men from 1/7 Supply - the stockings are machine embroidered works of art and I'm sure they'll come home with the men in their sea bags. Gail Loffler coordinated H&S; Company for 1/7 and did an awesome job. Thanks again to the hundreds of volunteers across the country who made this happen for over 6,000 Marines. Connie and I are still finishing up the remnants of the program, but will get notes out to each of you very soon.

Posted by Deb at 05:17 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack





Historical Parallels

Occasionally, one of our readers submits a compelling editorial and we're happy to reprint. Sam Pender, author of Iraq's Smoking Gun submitted this in tribute to this anniversary of Pearl Harbor.

Why did the United States go to war with Germany in WWII? Those certainly weren't German Stukas and NAZI pilots over Pearl Harbor on December 7th. It was because Hitler supported Japan-not because they ever attacked us or had plans to do so. Pearl Harbor was specifically the result of a US oil embargo placed upon Japan as a result of the Japanese occupation of formerly French Indochina.an occupation permitted by the Germans who had recently conquered France and controlled its holdings-but the embargo was place upon Japan-not Germany. So, how did the United States interpret the 12/7 attacks as a final step into war with both Japan AND with Germany if Germany had nothing to do with 12/7?

"It is difficult to find a parallel to the unwisdom of the British and the weakness of the French Governments, who none the less reflected the opinion of their Parliaments in this disastrous period. Nor can the United States escape the censure of history. Absorbed in their own affairs and all the abounding interests, activities, and accidents of a free community, they simply gaped at the vast changes which were taking place in Europe and imagined they were none of their concern."
-Winston Churchill, Memoirs of the Second World War

"By the autumn of 1933 it was plain that neither by precept nor still less by example would the British effort for disarmament succeed. The pacifism of the Labour and Liberal Parties was not effected even by the grave event of the German withdrawl from the League of Nations. Both continued in the name of peace to urge British disarmament, and anyone who differed was called "warmonger" and "scaremonger." It appeared that their feeling was endorsed by the people, who of course did not understand what was unfolding."
-Winston Churchill, Memoirs of the Second World War

True, America's allies were in trouble and asking the U.S. to help them, and a handful of Americans privately did before 1942 (see also Flying Tigers, Eagle Squadron, Hemmingway in Spain etc.). Another interesting aspect is to try and find a smoking gun in pre-Aunschlus Germany. It can't be done. There were violations, but nothing individually causing a war. Even Pearl Harbor was not the single reason for America's entry into WWII. No war should ever start for a single causus beli, and few do (including WWII, 911, and the war in Iraq).

"There was no moment in these sixteen years when the three former allies, or even Britain and France with their associates in Europe, could not in the name of the League of Nations and under its moral and international shield have controlled by mere effort of the will of armed strength of Germany."
-Winston Churchill, Memoirs of the Second World War

"Until the middle of 1934 control of the events was still largely in the hands of His Majesty's Government without the risk of war. They could at any time, in concert with France and through the League of Nations, have brought an overwhelming power to bear upon the Hitler Movement, about which Germany was profoundly divided."
-Winston Churchill, Memoirs of the Second World War

The United States went to war with Germany because Hitler declared war on the US (as had Saddam and Bin Laden both throughout the 1990's), because Germany and Japan were allies (as were Saddam and Al Queda...see also 1998 indictment of UBL and the 1993 non-aggression agreement between them), and because there were repeated, close, high level TIES between Hitler and Japan (just as there were repeated, close, high level TIES between Saddam and Al Queda). Al Queda is not Japan, but it is a nation without borders (just not a nation-state after the fall of the Taliban).

"Don't believe that anyone in the world will hinder me in my decisions [to invade Austria and Czechoslovakia]! Italy? I am quite clear that they are with Mussolini: with Italy I am on the closest of terms. England? England will not lift a finger for Austria.And France? Well, two years ago when we marched into the Rhineland with a handful of battalions [breaking the 1991 Treaty of Versailles]-at that moment I risked a great deal. If France had marched then we should have been forced to withdraw..but for France it is too late!"
-Adolph Hitler, 1938

So, on December 11th, 1941, the United States went to war with Germany because Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor. Germany had no knowledge or involvement in the 12/7 attacks, was not involved, but Hitler had a relationship with the Japanese, had declared war on the US, and hadn't followed the terms of the Versailles Treaty (ie, the WWI armistice agreement/cease-fire had been broken repeatedly by Hitler). Hitler didn't have an air force (the WMD of the day), but he had the capacity to build one rapidly-as most of Europe would find out by 1943. Following the declarations of war, the United States acted quickly to strike back at the Japanese with the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of Coral Sea, Guadalcanal, and finally halting Japanese free reign of aggression in at the Battle of Midway just 6 months after Pearl Harbor (note: 6 months after the 9/11/01 attacks, the Taliban were routed, Bin Laden was driven from his safe haven and pinned down in the mts of Pakistan, and Afghanistan was already starting to rebuild).

"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."
-Edmund Burke

So, where are the historians? Where is the generation that saw the right thing to do, AND had the courage to do it? Half of America has seen the right thing to do (specifically 51%), and has the courage to endure it. The other half prefers to ignore history, seek appeasement and isolationist policies, and to politicize the war on terror. Half the nation sees the history, and has learned from it. The other half continues to replace the cold realities of the 21st Century with political conspiracy theories piled upon each other as their own means of denial.

After a while, the conspiracies get harder and harder to grasp. Pres Bush (a man constantly painted as a moron by his political opponents) apparently stole the 2000 election by controlling 1/3 of the govt, the Supreme Court, and pulled off the greatest conspiracy in American history. THEN, this alleged Happy Meal-without-the-fries managed to pull off the greatest conspiracy in the history of man; he created the 911 attacks with the help of the Pakistanis who actually committed them using Saudi hijackers.

Why? So he could invade Afghanistan to get access for the natural gas pipelines to fund his invasion of Iraq which he used to fund his 2004 theft of the Presidential election. One conspiracy alone is tough to realistically put faith in, but for President Bush (purportedly the dullest knife in the drawer) to have pulled off 4 of the greatest conspiracies in the history of man (each one dependent on its predecessor) is just impossible. With four successive coups the odds become exponentially smaller and smaller; 4 of the greatest in mankind? Millions of people are grasping at straws in denial, and there's another 4 years yet to start. Why do they grasp? What DON'T they grasp?

Given the hundreds of thousands of people who have looked into each one of these conspiracies, the independent, foreign, and bi-partisan investigations that have disproved them, the reason that people still cling to them can only be described as political denial, as historical denial, and as proof positive that those who have ignored the lessons in their history classes truly have been doomed to repeat them.

"Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous states have fallen into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of NAZI rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight in the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air; we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing-grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender; and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and liberation of the Old." ie, "Bring em on"
-Winston Churchill, Memoirs of the Second World War


"Let's Remember Pearl Harbor" was America's battle-cry on 12/8/41....maybe it should be once again?


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December 06, 2004



December 6

It's the halfway point for 1/7 Marines currently deployed - we're counting down from here. Oohrah!!

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Fighting in Fallujah - 3/5, India Company

Fox News recently published a gripping account of embedded reporter Greg Palkot and cameraman Pierre Zakrzewski's experience during the Battle of Fallujah. Here are day-by-day excerpts from his diary:

November 8:

Tonight there's just a particularly annoying wall to scale and a rooftop to reach. The roof seems like a nice place to relax until the sky above it is filled with whizzing terrorist AK-47 fire and much nastier Marine responses.

This will be the first of many times the phrase "nowhere to run, nowhere to hide" rattles around my head.

November 9:

We watch what would be the beginning of another routine of the week. The enemy hunkers down at night, intimidated by the hi-tech night-vision gear the U.S. military commands. Then, the bad guys get out at first light to make trouble.

What they don't know is that the Marines want the guys to come out. That's what they came for.

November 10:

Later, we find ourselves on yet another roof for an end-of-day officers' meeting with Chontosh. As sniper fire flies overhead, the Marines get word that a group of 15 to 20 militants are roving around a neighborhood a few blocks away.

As I quickly learn, Chontosh (who won an award for bravery in last year’s initial invasion of Iraq) is not one to sit back and let his guys do the dirty work. Moments later we are out on the street, heading for potential trouble.

Make that REAL trouble.

November 11:

Seeing somebody you had been joking with the day before being carried out of a house on a stretcher brings everything into sharp clarity.

Looking at an injured fellow's bloody flak jacket and vest stays with you.

Watching the belongings of someone who has been killed being packed away to be shipped back to family in the States underscores that this is all as serious as it gets.

A few squad members are very shaken and two have to be pulled out of the action. The rest, outwardly at least, seem pretty stoic, ready to press on and get the job done.

When I ask Chontosh what he feels about the day's losses, the captain almost seems annoyed at the question.

"How does it feel to lose a good man?" I ask. Without missing a beat, but also not looking at me, staring at the scene where a sniper cut down one of his commanders, he snaps, "Any man going down."

November 12:

India Company still hasn't cleared out the neighborhood where the militants were first spotted on Wednesday. And the hope to wrap up India's assault early is long forgotten.

Now the Marines are going to level a neighborhood to make sure the bad guys never use it again. It isn't quite the "destroying a village to save it" formula of the Vietnam War, but it comes close.

Air strikes, tank fire and mortar barrages make minced meat out of school buildings and houses. When the dust clears and the rubble stops falling, Chontosh takes us on a tour of the place.

His instincts are pretty good. We go into a room in a schoolhouse knee-deep in insurgent weaponry. There isn't a schoolbook in sight. No school buses in the courtyard ... just a vehicle rocket launcher.

And in the houses all around, Marines pull anti-personnel and tank mines out of one place, rockets out of another, a complete IED factory in the bedroom of a third.

November 13:

More Marines are injured, including Jensen, who is hit by fragments from grenades hurled by insurgents from the roof of the building. Jensen limps away, and within a day claims he's at 95 percent strength. "I can even run on the leg!" he proclaims to me.

Not good enough. Capt. Chontosh takes him out of the fight.

And there's more grousing about the Iraqi security forces who will have to take a major role in making sure Fallujah works in the future. Some of their units are filling in behind other American squads that have done the heavy lifting. Without proper radios or other equipment they are blamed more for getting in the way then helping out, even firing around U.S. military forces.

One of the officers in charge of training the Iraqis tells me the brass wants a full Iraqi Army up and running in six months. "It's not going to happen," he complains.

Sounds like our Marines are going to be sticking around.

November 14:

I'd like to say these guys are fresh and raring to finish the job. But to be frank, our boys look like toast. Some still haven't gotten over the losses of the days before. And all are a lot more careful as they work through every house.

They still have time, though, to go through some mail, which has somehow found its way into the heart of this terror enclave. Lance Cpl. Jelnick reads me his girlfriend's letter. There isn't anything extraordinary in it.

What is extraordinary, however, is that she has written him a letter every day he has been in Iraq.

The 20-year-old Chicago Cubs fan is comforted, but also filled with the feeling that maybe he'll have to get serious about her when he gets out of all this. Eeek ... love! Sometimes trickier than dealing with insurgents.

November 15:

The day starts like most others. We check out mosques that Marines believe have been used by insurgents as terror "bed and breakfasts" — sleeping places and medical stations for use between attacks.

Marines also find plans and propaganda associated with attacks. Right down to some maps.

Then another platoon marches off to check out one last bunch of houses.

India Company literally is just a few blocks from finishing its chunk of the assault. But its Marines are about to walk into a terror hornet's nest as bad as any military unit will find in the operation in Fallujah.

Back at India Company's makeshift headquarters, a fateful word crackled over the radio: "Contact!"

Read the extended entries here.

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December 05, 2004



Voting for best Milblog is going on now

Click here to reach the voting page, select your favorite Milblog (there are many excellent choices) and vote! You can vote once each 24 hours and the polls close on December 12. Thanks to the folks who nominated Marine Corps Moms!

Posted by Deb at 06:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



December 04, 2004



The Prayer of St Ignatius for Corporal Brian R. Prening

GySgt Perez included this letter by LtCol Mark A. Smith in a comment to the previous post on LCpl Daniel Wyatt, noting that it was "forwarded to me by former Lieutenant E. M. Kohnke / USMC. Daniel's name is mentioned below." It deserves wider readership.

On Tuesday 16 Nov 04, I had the honor of taking my command element forward to Fox Company's position for the Field Memorial Service for Corporal Brian R. Prening, F Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, killed in action against enemy forces Yusufiyah, Iraq. Now, I say honor, because as tragic as the situation was, and as painful as it was, what I witnessed that day is forever and indelibly etched into both my consciousness and my soul. So, if you will allow me, I will try my utmost to communicate to you the events as they unfolded that day. Fox Company has been forward in FOB St. Joseph for over two months now, attempting to bring stability to an area that had not had a presence of Multi-National Forces. As I have communicated to you previously, it was an absolute bastion of Radical Islamists and Terrorists, who had brutalized the citizens in unspeakable terms. Well, the WARRIORS of Fox Company have put an end to that. And, for the terrorists, many of whom are believed to have been the leaders of the insurgency in Fallujah, have been attempting to come home. Sad fact for them, Fox Company now owns their permanent zip code. So, on the day of Cpl Prenning's unfortunate death, the enemy, for the first time, chose to actually stand and fight. They did, and at the end of the day, over forty of them lie dead on the battlefield. And, over the course of the last week, throughout our zone, but especially in Fox's, we have rounded up and arrested over 120 of them. That said, and for all the fantastic work of the Battalion elements, this day was no cause for celebration, it was our time to mourn our honored dead. As the leadership of the Company, the Battalion and the Marines of Cpl Prening's platoon gathered for the memorial, the atmosphere was sheer solemnity. The Marines of Fox were layered with the Iraqi dust that they have called home for 60 days plus. The smell of sweat that eminates from them can only be described as the smell of freedom. That combination of sweat, dirt and emotion that combines to create an aroma that is not repugnant in the least, but serves to stimulate the Warrior gene that you are among "special knights of the warriored breed."

The ceremony began with the placing of the rifle, helmet boots and dog tags of the fallen Marine, and was followed by Scripture readings, Company Commander memorial and teammate remembrances. The Marines that knew Cpl Prening best, memorialized him, through their tears and emotions, in a manner that I know would have made his family swell with pride. They were eloquent beyond imagination, and their words were a lance to the soul in their beauty and truth.

Then came his Plt Cmdr, 1stLt Mayne. Now, before I continue, I must describe 1stLt Mayne. I have been in a few scraps in my day, and truth be known, kind of enjoy that. But, 1stLt Mayne is one of those physical figures that you see and immediately think, if I can avoid a scrap with this lad, that would most probably be the preferred course of action. Additionally, since the day we arrived, 1stLt Mayne's combat accomplishments have been EXTRAORDINARY! His actions have been right in the face of the enemy, and he has stared death squarely in the eye on several occassions, and has done nothing but lead his Marines is a calm and professional manner that has absolutely confounded the enemy each and every time, and more often than not, lead to many of the enemy achieving their goal of martrydom!

But, on this day, the Lt Mayne that I saw was not the Warrior. No, the Lt Mayne I saw on this day was the Man. And, it embarasses me not one bit to say I only hope to be one tenth the Man I saw in Lt Mayne on that day. He spoke of his admiration for Cpl Prening and Cpl Prening's actions in a manner that crushed your soul and made you want to scream that you were not worthy of sharing the same room as these Warriors. He spoke of the need to channel and contain the rage and always honor Cpl Prening by only killing in righteousness and in accordance with the rules. He spoke of the "decent people of Iraq" who we are here to liberate. He spoke of all these things in a manner and among those who must do it in a way that should shame every person who has ever ascribed any attribute to our Marines, other than hero. Having done that, he then finished with a prayer. A prayer that he stated he prays every night, and in knowing this man and the quality of his character, I suspect he prays it one hundred times a day. As he prayed the prayer of St. Ignatius aloud, I can tell you, I have never felt such overwhelming pain and peace, all at the same time. I have never been so destroyed and fullfilled, all at the same time. I have never been so torn, and so complete, all at the same time. Upon relfection, I understood how I could have such dichotomous feelings all at once. Because in that thirty second prayer, prayed aloud by a man and Marine Officer who will forever have my undying respect and admiration, I realized in the prayer of St. Ignatius, the eternal reality of our temporal struggle: GOOD VS. EVIL. And, I was standing, humbled to the bone, among the agents of GOOD.

Maybe I am wrong, but I believe in my heart and soul that everything has a time and a purpose under God. And at that time and for this purpose, God used Cpl Prening and Lt Mayne, that we would know our struggle is right, and that our will be not shaken, and that for our children and the future of our Great Nation, we will see this through until there is nothing but peace for our future generations. And, that for that struggle, there is a price paid in death, in visible scars and in invisible ones.

So, for LCpl Daniel R. Wyatt, Cpl Nathaniel T. Hammond, LCpl Shane K. O'Donnell, LCpl Branden P. Ramey, Cpl Robert P. Warns II, Cpl Peter J.
Giannopoulos, Cpl Brian R. Prening, the next time you see a US Veteran, you shake his hand and say thank you. You shake his hand with the ferocity of firmness that says I love you, and I thank you for my freedom. If you get the chance, you go to a US Veterans hospital and you gently stroke the head of our wounded and broken from all wars, in a manner that says, do not be afraid, for I am here with you friend, I love you and I thank you. You do all this if you can, because everything we have, everything we are, we have and are because of their unbelievable sacrifice! And for that my friends, you and I should be eternally grateful and eternally humbled, for we have walked with the Saints!

St Ignatius' Prayer

Lord give me the strength to serve you as you deserve;
To give, and not to count the cost;
To fight, and not to heed the wounds;
To toil, and not to seek for rest;
To labor, and not to seek reward, save that of knowing that I do your will.

May God continue to bless you and bless you abundantly, as he does me everyday that I share this earth with your beloved. And may he grant strength, peace and serenity to the families of our fallen heroes.

Mark A. Smith
LtCol, USMCR
Commanding Officer
TF 2/24

Posted by Deb at 10:15 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack





A message from the Commanding General of 1MARDIV

As we continue to transition Operation Al Fajr from offensive operations to humanitarian operations, I wanted to let everyone know how incredibly proud I am of the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen of the Division. Urban operations against a entrenched enemy who is willing to use every dirty trick in the book is one of the toughest missions that any military organization will ever face, and the men and women of the Division executed it with professionalism, courage, and toughness. We were able to bring in forces from all of our services, plus our Iraqi allies and recapture the city of Fallujah in less time than we expected. It was truly a remarkable accomplishment.

Recently 2-7 CAV and 2-2 INF returned to their parent units. I want to publicly thank the Officers and Soldiers of these outstanding Battalions. They added the “Sunday Punch” to our assault forces and will always be a part of our proud legacy.

We want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! All members of the Division will be able to enjoy a special Thanksgiving meal that will include the traditional favorites. Our logistics planners have gone to great lengths to ensure that every Marine and Soldier will have an opportunity to partake in this great American holiday. We have many things to give thanks for; the unwavering support and love of our families will be foremost in our minds.

We continue to remember and honor those whose sacrifice was the greatest. Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones during this holiday period.

Enjoy the holiday and may God bless the First Marine Division and it’s friends and families.


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December 03, 2004



"Tell your kids, your grandkids, what Sgt. Peralta did for you and the other Marines today"

Lance Cpl. Travis J. Kaemmerer, a combat correspondent assigned to the 1st FSSG is currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq. He recently spent time as a combat correspondent during the Battle of Fallujah where his charge was to share with the rest of world the reality of the battlefield and heroism under fire. Here is one story of epic bravery.

On this day, I found myself without my camera. With the batteries dead, I decided to leave the camera behind and live up to the ethos "every Marine a rifleman," by volunteering to help clear the fateful buildings that lined streets.

After seven days of intense fighting in Fallujah, the Marines of 1/3 embraced a new day with a faceless enemy.

We awoke November 15, 2004, around day-break in the abandoned, battle-worn house we had made our home for the night. We shaved, ate breakfast from a Meal, Ready-to-Eat pouch and waited for the word to move.

The word came, and we started what we had done since the operation began – clear the city of insurgents, building by building.

As an attachment to the unit, I had been placed as the third man in a six-man group, or what Marines call a 'stack.' Two stacks of Marines were used to clear a house. Moving quickly from the third house to the fourth, our order in the stack changed. I found Sgt. Rafael Peralta in my spot, so I fell in behind him as we moved toward the house.

A Mexican-American who lived in San Diego, Peralta earned his citizenship after he joined the Marine Corps. He was a platoon scout, which meant he could have stayed back in safety while the squads of 1st Platoon went into the danger filled streets, but he was constantly asking to help out by giving them an extra Marine. I learned by speaking with him and other Marines the night before that he frequently put his safety, reputation and career on the line for the needs and morale of the junior Marines around him.

When we reached the fourth house, we breached the gate and swiftly approached the building. The first Marine in the stack kicked in the front door, revealing a locked door to their front and another at the right.

Kicking in the doors simultaneously, one stack filed swiftly into the room to the front as the other group of Marines darted off to the right.

"Clear!" screamed the Marines in one of the rooms followed only seconds later by another shout of "clear!" from the second room. One word told us all we wanted to know about the rooms: there was no one in there to shoot at us.

We found that the two rooms were adjoined and we had another closed door in front of us. We spread ourselves throughout the rooms to avoid a cluster going through the next door.

Two Marines stacked to the left of the door as Peralta, rifle in hand, tested the handle. I watched from the middle, slightly off to the right of the room as the handle turned with ease.

Ready to rush into the rear part of the house, Peralta threw open the door.

‘POP! POP! POP!’ Multiple bursts of cap-gun-like sounding AK-47 fire rang throughout the house.

Three insurgents with AK-47s were waiting for us behind the door.

Peralta was hit several times in his upper torso and face at point-blank range by the fully-automatic 7.62mm weapons employed by three terrorists.

Mortally wounded, he jumped into the already cleared, adjoining room, giving the rest of us a clear line of fire through the doorway to the rear of the house.

We opened fire, adding the bangs of M-16A2 service rifles, and the deafening, rolling cracks of a Squad Automatic Weapon, or “SAW,” to the already nerve-racking sound of the AKs. One Marine was shot through the forearm and continued to fire at the enemy.

I fired until Marines closer to the door began to maneuver into better firing positions, blocking my line of fire. Not being an infantryman, I watched to see what those with more extensive training were doing.

I saw four Marines firing from the adjoining room when a yellow, foreign-made, oval-shaped grenade bounced into the room, rolling to a stop close to Peralta’s nearly lifeless body.

In an act living up to the heroes of the Marine Corps’ past, such as Medal of Honor recipients Pfc. James LaBelle and Lance Cpl. Richard Anderson, Peralta – in his last fleeting moments of consciousness- reached out and pulled the grenade into his body. LaBelle fought on Iwo Jima and Anderson in Vietnam, both died saving their fellow Marines by smothering the blast of enemy grenades.

Peralta did the same for all of us in those rooms.

I watched in fear and horror as the other four Marines scrambled to the corners of the room and the majority of the blast was absorbed by Peralta’s now lifeless body. His selflessness left four other Marines with only minor injuries from smaller fragments of the grenade.

During the fight, a fire was sparked in the rear of the house. The flames were becoming visible through the door.

The decision was made by the Marine in charge of the squad to evacuate the injured Marines from the house, regroup and return to finish the fight and retrieve Peralta’s body.

We quickly ran for shelter, three or four houses up the street, in a house that had already been cleared and was occupied by the squad’s platoon.

As Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Murdock took a count of the Marines coming back, he found it to be one man short, and demanded to know the whereabouts of the missing Marine.

"Sergeant Peralta! He’s dead! He’s f------ dead," screamed Lance Cpl. Adam Morrison, a machine gunner with the squad, as he came around a corner. "He’s still in there. We have to go back."

The ingrained code Marines have of never leaving a man behind drove the next few moments. Within seconds, we headed back to the house unknown what we may encounter yet ready for another round.

I don't remember walking back down the street or through the gate in front of the house, but walking through the door the second time, I prayed that we wouldn't lose another brother.

We entered the house and met no resistance. We couldn't clear the rest of the house because the fire had grown immensely and the danger of the enemy’s weapons cache exploding in the house was increasing by the second.

Most of us provided security while Peralta's body was removed from the house.

We carried him back to our rally point and upon returning were told that the other Marines who went to support us encountered and killed the three insurgents from inside the house.

Later that night, while I was thinking about the day’s somber events, Cpl. Richard A. Mason, an infantryman with Headquarters Platoon, who, in the short time I was with the company became a good friend, told me, "You’re still here, don’t forget that. Tell your kids, your grandkids, what Sgt. Peralta did for you and the other Marines today."

As a combat correspondent, this is not only my job, but an honor.

Throughout Operation Al Fajr, we were constantly being told that we were making history, but if the books never mention this battle in the future, I’m sure that the day and the sacrifice that was made, will never be forgotten by the Marines who were there.


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December 01, 2004



After Fallujah - Update from MSSG 31


MSSG 31 Marines filled this seven-ton Truck with explosives by hand. Every destroyed weapon translates into lives saved.

A message from LtCol James A. Vohr

Dear families of MSSG 31,

Well, a lot has gone on in the short space between now and my last update. The battle for Fallujah has been fought and as I write, operations continue to secure the city to allow for the rebuilding effort to begin. Your Marines and Sailors played a large part and continue to support the success the Marine Corps has experienced, and you should be proud of them. Each and every one of them is a brave young man or woman who want only to go out and get the job done. There professional determination is awesome to watch.

Everyone contributed during the fight. The communications section stayed on top of our command and control infrastructure, making sure we could talk with everyone who was out from the MSSG as well as higher and adjacent units. The communications officers always tells me communications is the key to success on the battlefield and his Marines worked hard to ensure we could talk. Motor transport and military police worked hand in hand to make sustainment convoys happen, sometimes on short fuse, and always ready to go in either the day or the night. The engineers have been digging in units to enhance survivability, building whatever the supported units called for in the construction shop, pumping fuel and water, and working with engineer ordnance disposal to destroy captured arms and ammunition. Our corpsmen provided medical coverage for the MSSG as expected, but then went two steps further in pushing critical medical supplies out to forward aid stations and working to provide dressing changes to wounded Marines, Soldiers, and Soldiers of the new Iraqi Army.

Marines in the headquarters detachment accomplished all the planning up front to set the unit up for success during the fight and then kept track of requirements as it all unfolded. Headquarters Marines also worked areas such as ammunition supply, certainly a critical asset. Supply build stockpiles of items critical to the support of the fight and they were readily available when they were needed for the attack. In short, there was not a Marine or Sailor who did not do their share.

As I wrap up this update, I?d be at fault if I didn?t mention the support the MSSG gets from the families back home. Letter mail, e-mails, and care packages are guaranteed to bring a smile to a Marine or Sailors face. I?d also be remiss if I did not mention how much everyone appreciates the huge effort the key volunteers mustered to put together cookies and snacks for the single Marines and Sailors, box them up and send them out to us. The first part of this shipment has just arrived and trust me, the Marines devoured them! Thanks so much!

As always, I?m proud and you should be proud of the Marines and Sailors of MSSG 31. It is an honor to serve with them.

Thanks for all your support

Sincerely,

J. Alex Vohr


Posted by Deb at 11:08 PM





11th MEU update

Photo by Cpl. Dick Kotecki
The Honorable Gordon R. England, Secretary of the Navy, sits with Marines, sailors, and soldiers during Thanksgiving dinner at the dining facility here, Nov. 25. England visited FOB Duke to thank service members for their hard work and dedication during their deployment this holiday season.

The command element for 11th MEU provides this end-of-November update:

We've been working hard to help the Iraqi people in An Najaf and Al Qadisiyah provinces and the results are showing. So far, more than 250 projects have been completed or are currently underway, totaling nearly 10 million dollars in both provinces combined.

In addition to these projects, we are busy making solatia, or condolence payments, to citizens of Najaf who experienced property damage of their home or business, injury, or death of a family member during August's fighting. We have paid more than 5,800 Iraqis approximately 3.7 million dollars. These payments are creating goodwill and building trust between us and the locals.

Citizens of both provinces are also currently registering for the January elections. So far, everything is running smoothly and we are happy to see the Iraqi people moving one step closer to taking charge of their country and their future. We also recently celebrated the Marine Corps' 229th birthday with the traditional ceremony and birthday meal of steak and lobster.


And, the 11th MEU is making plans to return home. This is good news indeed for the family members and friends who look forward to that day.

Posted by Deb at 08:20 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack