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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. |
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. |
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). |
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 actor | 21% |
Mukhtaran Bibi, Rape survivor | 11% |
Pat Tillman, Fallen Soldier | 9% |
Fantasia, "American Idol" contestant | 8% |
Margaret Hassan, Murdered by thugs in Iraq | 5% |
Smarty Jones, racehorse - why he's on this list at all is a mystery to me | 5% |
Nancy Reagan, caregiver and former First Lady | 4% |
Spc. Darby, Abu Ghraib whistle-blower | 4% |
Curt Schilling, Red Sox Pitcher | 1% |
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." |
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. |
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. |
Posted by Deb at 11:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Santa's new sleigh
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 |
He also provides this list of deployed Milbloggers with a suggestion:
Visit here; spread Christmas cheer |
1000 Words from Iraq |
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! |
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 |
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. |
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, |
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 |
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. |
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. |
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". |
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
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. |
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 . . .
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. |
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. |
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. |
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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) |
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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'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. |
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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. |
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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.
November 3, 2004
Portland, OR
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.
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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. |
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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. 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. |
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.
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December 09, 2004
Michael Moore, step up!
Via Backcountry Conservative, here's a challenge from one Michael to another:
December 7, 2004 |
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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?” |
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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. |
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. |
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? |
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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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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." |
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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. |
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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. |
Posted by Deb at 10:24 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
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, |
Posted by Deb at 11:08 PM
11th MEU update
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. |
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.
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