Marines in Afghanistan ~ A Defend America Photo Essay

Defend America ^ | September 23, 2004

[gimme1ibertee]

Thanks! Great pics!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

3rd Battalion 6th Marines Chaplain

   Battalion Chaplain:  Lt.UC Lussi, Emory C.

Battalion Chaplain's Comments

    Gooooood Moorrnning Afghanistan!!! It is morning here at the moment. To have some time on one of these machines I need to get up before everyone else so they can do what they have to during the day. Sorry for not having updated my column in some time. But some of us have to work for a living. HAHAHAHA. Actually, I have been doing my job of looking after your Marines. Since we have been scattered over six different bases I’ve been busy trying to get around and seeing them. Because of flight schedules, movement of the troops, and other snags I’ve not been to every place yet. I have seen each company at least once though. Soon most of us will be in one place with a small group at another. Keeping up with everyone will be easier then.

    Obviously being away from home and given the circumstances the Marines, on the whole, are doing well. The mindset of Marines seems to be different from others I’ve been around. Not to be simplistic or corny but they are Marines. They chose to be Marines. Want to be Marines. Train like Marines. Think like Marines. Therefore, they act like Marines. We’ve had tragedy and loss. Did it hurt? Yes. Does that change what we have to do? No. And those whom we lost would want us to keep our heads in the game and so we do. That is one way in which we honor them. As you think of your Marine pray for the families of those whose loss is so deep.

    Regardless of what you hear through the grapevine, we’ll be home when we get home. That’s not to sound short or mean but to be realistic. There’s word that homecoming will be around the first of December. We were told that might be a possibility when we left. Well it’s most likely now. But as they say out West, “You saddled this horse, now ride it.” This horse wanders all over the place and seldom comes to the barn on time. But when it comes in it’ll be time for lots of TLC. So get your ducks together for a grand reunion. Remember not to get your ducks in a row. Just get them together in a loose flock on the pond so you can gather them up as you need them. Otherwise, if they’re in a row one good shot could kill them all. 

    Enough of the barnyard chatter. We’ll be home before you know it. It helps us to know that all of you are taking care of business back home. Thank you for loving and supporting us while we try to bring justice to the bad guys and safety, security, and stability for those who want to live in peace. God bless you and keep you till we meet again.

                                                                                                Chaps

~*~

SEMPER FIDELIS

[Two Thirds Vote Aye]

Ping.

[Humidston]

Great job! Thanks!

[CDB]

Ditto!

[Mister Baredog]

I hope Tarayza is right and those dudes bag Osama in October, thanks Cowgirl!

[RaceBannon]

I'm confused.

Every aircraft shown here is US ARMY, Not USMC.

Are these captions correct?

[johnd01]

Those are gorgeous pics! Your spouse did a great job. I'm poud of him and all our armed forces. If it wasn't for them I wouldn't be sitting here in my jammies.

I have one question though: A lot of the Afganies had thier arms crossed across thier chests. What's that mean?

[Susannah]

nice collection!

Also, I saw a wonderful tribute to a fallen soldier today on my local tv channel that included his own sister in "Navy whites".

It should still be available for those who have a media player and would like to view it at the website. There's a list of "top videos" and one is "Immigrant Fallen Soldier http://www.kcal9.com

[Mustng959]

Thanks for the pics Ragtime Cowgirl! Lot of good Marines in the 3/6th. Also alot of good family members back home supporting them.
Best to all!

[ican'tbelieveit]

Thank you.

[armymarinemom]

I love it when we get mail in those water bottle boxes. Thanks for the px.

[RightOnline]

My 21 year old nephew is in a Special Forces National Guard outfit. He spent months in Afghanistan, and came back with a chestful of ribbons (and Uzbeki and Russian jump wings, by the way). He just completed Jumpmaster school (incredibly difficult to get in, even harder to get through; few make it through the first time) and did so well, they've asked him to return in the next year as an instructor. As an E-4, he has been put in charge of ALL "legs" (i.e. non-Airborne qualified) in the unit, as well as all of those who have had problems meeting physical requirements (up to the rank of Captain).

Amazing kid..........even more amazing since he was always TINY for his age; a baby that didn't "thrive"; the kid we all wondered and worried about as he was growing up ("what WILL he ever be able to do, the poor little guy??").

[leadpenny]

ping

[Chieftain]

Seeing these pics of Marines being carried around and supplied by Army helicopters feels good in a sense, and not so good in another.

What makes me feel good is that one of the Chinook pilots is a Georgia Army National Guard pilot that I worked with in Jacksonville, Florida as a defense contractor.

What makes me feel not so good is I am a retired Marine aviation type, and I can see they don't have the resources to fulfill the mission.

[SAMWolf]

Marine Corps Bump

[7thOF7th]

"I can see they don't have the resources to fulfill the mission"

Amazing postulation sir! What about the other four senses, any word from them?

[Col Freeper]

Rise again 'o' good post.

[maranatha]

God bless each Marine and all who love them.