"...... I think we were all quite surprised by the weather upon arrival. It was anywhere from 78 degrees in the day to 55 degrees when the sun went down. I know that doesn't sound bad, but the temperature drop was a little challenging for most of the soldiers.
Upon arrival we had one day to recover from the flight and then we moved right into the relief in place. Our relief in place started by conducting training ranges. There is a nice range complex right out the front door of our base camp. After a 10 days on the ranges we then started to work with the units we are relieving. If you noticed I used the plural form of unit. We have been tasked with a force protection mission that 2 different Companys were conducting. It will be quite challenging to do more with less and work long hours with little or no rest time, but that is why your soldiers were picked to conduct this mission.
I am very proud of your soldiers. During the entire relief in place they pulled together, conducted the mission and excelled at every task they were handed. Both of the Company Commanders that I was working with were very impressed by the attitude, esprit des corps, and knowledge base your soldiers displayed. They were even ready to hand over the keys early because your soldiers were doing such a good job. But the army has a process to everything and we had to see it through until the official transfer of authority date.
Some of the equipment that was left behind is not in the best of shape due to the extremes of weather and what I believe to be poor maintenance by the units we replaced. However, your soldiers have been working hard to get it back up to standard. I have been very impressed by how hard your soldiers have work to make everything better. With a little elbow grease and some good maintenance we will have this equipment back up to snuff in no time. I am already starting to see vast improvement in the equipment. I am very proud of your soldiers and I feel very honored and privileged to lead such outstanding young men. God bless."
Note from proud Mom: 78 during the day, 55 at sundown sounds like a typical Wisconsin summer day. I know one soldier who wasn't bothered at all.;^)
W. Didja catch the part about the training range right outside the front door? I thought of you & laughed when I read that.:)
Haven't heard form Ev personally in about a week so I was delighted to receive this message.
Hi, I saw that, cool! Were I rich, my gun room would have a window... So I wouldn't have to leave the house! Lazy, eh?
Oh, thank you for sharing that letter with us. How encouraging and complimentary. Of course you are proud and I am proud, too. After all Ev is one of our "adopted" sons. I'm the friend of the mother of Ev! That's close enough and so I claim him.
The letter has brightened my day.
((Mozie)) Wonderful letter!
That is nice letter Mozie. He sounds like a good commander.