Close by, at the Al-Rasheed Hotel:

Michael Yon : Online Magazine ^ | Saturday, July 02, 2005 | Michael Yon

[ManMountain]

We walked into a small room where a soldier lay face up, eyes closed. His hair was cut short to the nubs. Arnold Duplantier was in a black body bag with the corner folded back. He was shirtless. The sniper's bullet had found the opening in his body armor and gone straight into his chest and through his heart. CSM Mellinger puts his hand on Arnold's shoulder, pats the shoulder and then places his hand on Arnold's head, as if to say something to Arnold. Another young soldier bear hugs CSM Mellinger the way a son might hug a father after a brother dies. The soldier weeps and Mellinger holds him and I feel I am intruding and so quietly walk out. There are times when soldiers should be left alone.

Some of Arnold's friends were there, but others were still out in the fight. The sniper was still working; he hit two more of our soldiers after killing Arnold Duplantier. A group of soldiers wheeled another soldier through the doors. He'd been shot slightly in the neck, and was smiling and even waved as his buddies wheeled him in, apparently oblivious that Arnold was killed.

Arnold Duplantier had run his final patrol, and as soldiers from his unit began to flood in, they crowded the back of the room where the body of their fallen comrade lay. When the soldiers left the room, tears streaming down their cheeks, their sergeant major rallied them by saying that now was not the time for tears. There was work to do. The sniper who had killed one comrade and wounded two others was still out there. The men straightened up and started getting back into the fight. There will be time for tears, he said, but not today.

[ManMountain]

This is a portion of Michael Yon's ongoing coverage of the war. He is one of the VERY few journalists who "Gets it." You will have to read or scroll down a bit to reach Sgt. Duplantier's tale. His Blog is one of the few places where you can get the straight skinny on what we are doing over there and to get a feel for what is really going on with the troops.

Michael Yon was 19 years old when he passed the Special Forces Q Course, and his journalistic efforts in reporting the ongoing conflict reflect that spirit of excellence.

Honor Sgt. Duplantier's memory by visiting http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/ and sending a brief message of support to our fighting men and women. God knows they need it right now.

Honor them all by getting involved on small levels by sending cards and care packages. There are numerous web sites that will lead you to these efforts.

They honor us with their service and sacrifice, lets honor them with our love and support as they Charlie Mike.

[Marine_Uncle]

A post we would not have to see generated. But un-avoidable.
Thanks. If anyone would want to send letters/carepackages to a Marine unit now serving in Iraq, please feel free to email me. I will give details. The Marine unit I would mention is one that is how should I say, living in rather spartan conditions in northern Al Anbar. They shall be there for about three more months. Expect a package to take some three to four weeks to arrive. Please do not feel in any way obligated. I am sure many folks at this site already in some way, little and large do something for our troops.