EMAIL from a LT. COL in Iraq ~ to a Marine's mother awaiting word on her son

E-mail to Freeper sns5151 | Received - evening (in America), 4/08/04, posted 4/09/04 | Marine LT COL in Iraq

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

EMAIL to a Marine's mother, awaiting word on her son, from a LT. COL in Iraq - evening (in America), 4/08/04:

Dear Ladies,

 

the last two days have been the hardest two days this battalion has faced in over 30 years. Within the blink of an eye the situation went form relatively calm to a raging storm. You've known that since arriving there has been violence; attacks have been sporadic and mostly limited to roadside bombs. Your husbands have become experts at recognizing those threats and neutralizing them before we are injured. Up to this point the war has been the purview of corporals and sergeants, and the squad they lead.

Yesterday the enemy upped the ante.

Early in the morning we exchanged gunfire with a group of insurgents without significant loss. As morning progressed, the enemy fed more men into the fight and we responded with stronger force. Unfortunately, this led to injuries as our Marines and sailors started clearing the city block by block. The enemy did not run; they fought us like soldiers. And we destroyed the enemy like only Marines can. By the end of the evening the local hospital was so full of their dead and wounded that they ran out of space to put them. Your husbands were awesome all night they stayed at the job of securing the streets and nobody challenged them as the hours wore on. They did not surrender an inch nor did flinch from the next potential threat. Previous to yesterday the terrorist thought that we were soft enough to challenge. As of tonight the message is loud and clear that the Marines will not be beaten.

Today the enemy started all over again, although with far fewer numbers, only now the rest of the battalion joined the fight. Without elaborating to much, weapons company and Golf crushed their attackers with the vengeance of the righteous. They filled up the hospitals again and we suffered only a few injuries. Echo company dominated the previous day's battlefield. Fox company patrolled with confidence and authority; nobody challenged them. Even Headquarters Company manned their stations and counted far fewer people openly watching us with disdain. If the enemy is foolish enough to try to take your men again they will not survive contact. We are here to win.

The news looks grim from back in the States. We did take losses that, in our hearts, we will always live with. The men we lost were taken within the very opening minutes of the violence. They could not have foreseen the treachery of the enemy and they did not suffer. We can never replace these Marines and Sailors but they will fight on with us in spirit. We are not feeling sorry for ourselves nor do we fear what tomorrow will bring. The battalion has lived up to its reputation as Magnificent Bastards.

Yesterday made everyone here stronger and wiser; it will be a cold day in Hell before we are taken for granted again.

(names removed until permission granted / enemies thwarted)

[Just Lori]

In our home, they are all thought of and prayed for AT LEAST once a day. They are all special. They are all wonderful. They are all appreciated, respected, and loved.

[capydick]

I second the motion. A powerful photo that should be nominated for a Pulitzer.

[squarebarb]

I strongly disagree.

Any memorial should show men standing tall and proud, not grieving.

So many partisan media news fotos show people grieving, so it implies sympathy on the part of the media outlet but yet implies defeat. It's a wonderful foto but not for a memorial.

My local paper eternally shows people sobbing and hugging. After 9/11, fotos from the Oprah-MC'd memorial showed nothing but people sobbing and hugging, including the police who attended. ONLY our local Spanish-language newspapers showed a foto of police in ranks standing tall and brave, one holding the hand of his little son, who also looked very resolute.

I hope you take my point, with all due respect for a great foto.

[RightWingMama]

continued prayer bump.

[af_vet_1981]

Without elaborating to much, weapons company and Golf crushed their attackers with the vengeance of the righteous.

Semper Fidelis to our Marine brethren !

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

More tributes re. the beautiful AP photo:  Prayers for a Dead Buddy 

[anniegetyourgun]

This photo is so moving.

[MudPuppy]

Hang in there Mom! Are you plugged into any support networks? The waiting can be difficult for those left behind...
Semper Fi!


San Diego Union-Tribune
April 9, 2004

Some parents of Marines feel left out

Online connection can be helpful

By Rick Rogers

CAMP PENDLETON - Parents of Marines serving in Iraq often must struggle harder to get information about their loved ones than military spouses do, something that is especially nerve-racking during these days of intensive combat.

In the past week, at least 15 Marines have died and scores have been wounded in heavy fighting. Six of those killed were in their teens.

With escalating violence across Iraq, the danger facing 19,000 San Diego-based Marines is expected to remain high for now, military officials say.

It's an agonizing time for many parents who dwell on the danger.

"As a parent, we are not given any information, except when our children don't make it home," Christie Hunt of Tucson said yesterday.

"They should have an information line of some kind that is updated on a regular basis," said Hunt, whose 20-year-old son is with the 1st Marine Division from Camp Pendleton. "There are lots of us moms in the same positions."

Julie Callahan, who manages Marine Moms Online, said the Marines don't purposely shut out parents, but it happens sometimes.

"I wouldn't say that parents are treated any worse, but I think the military over the last few years has focused on keeping dependents happy," Callahan said. "Marine programs, such as the key volunteer program, are set up for dependents, not parents. It's possible for parents to get into the key volunteer program, but young, single Marines don't usually sign their parents up."

With an estimated 5,000 Marine Moms Online members around the world, Callahan knows what's on their minds.

"In the last three days, with losing so many Marines, the mothers are really, really worried," she said. "There is a lot of grief for the Marines lost."

There is also anger at the news media.

"There seems to be a lot less information from the media than during the war last year," said Callahan, of Bloomington, Ill. "And then CNN and FOX are only reporting the bad things going on over there and not the good."

Yet sometimes, parents try to avoid information overload.

Some parents, like Kim Shearon from Oklahoma City, who has three family members from San Diego County in Iraq, stay calm by keeping their distance from the radio and TV.

"Honestly, I try not to follow it," said Shearon. "I'm on AOL and I get little news flashes, but I generally don't turn on the TV. My son e-mailed me Sunday and told me that something bad was going to happen."

Shearon said she keeps up with her daughter, Lance Cpl. Amber Likens, 20, her son-in-law, Lance Cpl. David Likens, 20 - both from Camp Pendleton - and son Lance Cpl. Sean Shearon, 21, based at Twentynine Palms.

"Marine Moms Online is a great tool," Shearon said. "And anytime I'm having a hard time, I can post a message and get 20 responses. The wonderful thing about the Marine Corps is they are brotherhood, just like Marine Moms."

Maj. Mary Bradford, 1st Marine Expeditionary Force family readiness officer at Camp Pendleton, said she can provide parents another way to get the latest information about their Marines.

Bradford said she knows that sometimes young Marines forget how anxious a family can be to get in touch with them. She said parents can call her at (760) 763-2570 to get regular updates on how their units are doing.

Maj. Gen. Keith Stalder, deputy commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, didn't address concerns about a lack of information during a news conference yesterday.

But standing before a handful of microphones, he did promise that Marine families in San Diego and throughout the country would get the support they need.

"Though many of the nation's eyes are tuned to our current efforts in Iraq," Stalder said, "there is another part of that team that is back here at Camp Pendleton.

"We are also supporting those who remain behind," he said. "We also continue to ensure the family members have what they need to include information about their deployed Marines and sailors."

Whether that information gets better or worse might be determined soon, said Bob Work, a senior defense analyst for the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments.

"I think the next week or two will be critical," said Work, who was a Marine for 27 years. "If the revolt spreads to the wider Shiite community and the Shiites and the Sunnis conclude that they are better off fighting the United States than fighting each other for political control of Iraq, it would bode ill for the prospects for peace."

[MEG33]

Amen,SENTINAL.

[MEG33]

I thank your son amd husband for serving our country.

[Samwise]

As of tonight the message is loud and clear that the Marines will not be beaten.

Suicide by Marine is a stupid tactic.

God bless our Marines!

[Gringo1]

I'll third it, that is a truly great picture of our fine fighting men.

[WOSG]

This is great news. It deserves to be on the front pages, not the AFP propoganda ... A reminder that freedom is never free ...

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. The millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace-- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! -- Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

[JOE43270]

Thanks for this post Ragtime Cowgirl. As I ask IGOTMINE if you have a way to get a E-mail to this outfit let them know that Joe and Terri in Akron, Ohio are there with them. All they have to do to find us is to look for the STARS and STRIPES. Thank-you and GOD BLESS all these Sailors and Marines.

[rrrod]

dang ...got that ol lump in my throat again

[Jimmy Valentine's brother]

Somebody posted not yesterday with this in the body "When young Marines were involved they have ALWAYS exceeded my expectations."

[Pappy Smear]

So many partisan media news fotos show people grieving, so it implies sympathy on the part of the media outlet but yet implies defeat. It's a wonderful foto but not for a memorial.

You are right on. I presume you saw the upclose pic of the Marine weeping. That torqued me off. Where are the pics of our guys hi fiving after wasting some enemy combatant? Where are the pics of our guys with a knowing smirk, when they done good?

I want to see American Bas@sses! That is not to say a soldier isn't allowed to cry, for what they put up with, they deserve one. But is it too much to ask for a happy soldier? (That was rhetorical, no one needs to answer that, we all know the answer)

[Pappy Smear]

Correction for above. I want to see American Bad@sses! I also want to see American Bass (on the end of my fishing line)

[kimmie7]

Must be a virus. Mine's gettin' that way...

Thanks RC

[kimmie7]

My screen wasn't entirely blurry until you posted that pic.... God bless our Troops and the Commander in Chief.

Semper Fi