email from Jim -
Hey, fresh update from Josh!!! He called us this morning, around 6:15am. Plus this email! Some of his answers are in response to my original email. His battalion just recently moved to the west side of Ramadi, onto an Army base called Junction City. He said it is a LOT nicer than their old firm base. But it comes with different kinds of danger. He indicated on the phone this morning that snipers are a real threat here. A Marine was shot in the jaw just a few days ago. He'll live but with severe complications. He also told us about this RPG incident this morning. His Squad took their first hit. Again, this guy's still alive but sustained severe enough injuries to get shipped stateside. The details are in his note. What's really amazing; no, what's really a MIRACLE, is that Josh wasn't hurt. Well, enough from me, here's Josh!
God Bless and Semper Fi,
Jim
email from Josh - Marine PFC, stationed in Ramadi:
Hey Dad, yeah this firm base is ten times bigger and better, and alot safer. Our baracks' are tin roof, so it won't stop a mortar, but they are surrounded by hesko barriers, so as long as it doesn't land directly on top of us (which is a slim chance), then we'll be ok. Plus, this place gets mortared maybe once a week, the outpost was every other day or so. The thing about Fallujah and Ramadi is this, Ramadi has us, 2/5 and a few Army units, like Brigades, and we are already inside the city, Fallujah has like 4 Marine battalions and a few Army brigades as well, and they are all on the outskirts, so they are still waiting to push in and reoccupy. Alot of action the other day, two snipers were killed, they dismounted from their vehicle right on top of an IED, and two more were severely wounded. Plus, my squad was patrolling down an alley and no kidding, an RPG hit 15 ft from me, and shrapnel hit one of the Fire Team leaders, a Corporal. We dragged him to safety and he will be alright, shrapnel wounds to his face, back, thighs and arm, plus he'll probably lose a finger. The shrapnel to his back was a cm from his spine, but he'll get a purple heart and go home to his family, so he won't have to pay for any of his kids' college, and he sustained minor injuries compared to what could have happened. My squad leader said the only thing that saved the rest of us was our dispersion (and God of course). God is still protecting us day after day. Thanks for the prayers. Love you guys.
end of email
My friend told me that Josh's platoon seargent asks Josh to pray for the mission every time they go out. You don't hear many stories like this from the MSM, but our guys are winning and we have truly great people over there.
The MSM sickens me.
thanks for sharing that Vast. it is truly amazing to hear the first hand accounts and really puts a human face on what we see on the news to hear it in their own words.
Good God - thanks for sharing, Vast
Thank you for sharing. That is very heartwarming.
My nephew is stateside from Fallujah now, but I'm sure he'll have to return in a month or so.
Praying for your friend's son . . .
Praying for Josh.