Posted on 11/17/2004 10:57:20 AM PST by GrandmaPatriot
(This is a letter from the brother-in-law of a friend of mine. I took out the LtCol's name as well as his wife's name since I didn't get permission to reveal them. Enjoy...)
To my Family and Friends:
Thank you very much for your support, As you know I am living in Baghdad...in the Green Zone and within the Embassy Palace Grounds.
A little embarrassing that I am not in Fallujah with the boys fighting it out...but I am getting a little gray in the muzzle at 51 plus...so I can live with it. Plus (wife's name) wouldn't have let me come if she thought I would be there.
I do my part...travel to the hospital when I can to pray with the wounded. My position here as a Military Assistant to the Project Contracts Office allows me to travel throughout Iraq and see the good things that we are doing here...projects are in all forms: Power, Water, Sewage, Securtiy and Justice, Facilities/Education and Health. It is most unfortunate that the good never...or rarely gets to the American people. I would admit we would have more done faster with less cost if peace broke out here...not going to happen for a while. Imagine...only 1% of the population are causing the problems with added insurgents from several places. Hard to believe...but when you have a Dictator like Saddam for 40 years...the average person has no will to standup and fight for themselves. Communism had this same affect...the Russian people did not want to own and work for themselves after they were given the opportunity...they thought...all they gained would be taken from them again. It took them a while to dig themselves back up to the surface of live and liberty. If we are to win this freedom they (the Iraqi's) will have to come around and want it. With our Marines...fighting building to building in Fallujah we may be able to break the backs of those who appose us...certainly that is my prayer.
Many are not aware...but the Iraqi people that I work with and around...have told me or others that they are very happy with the re-election of President Bush. I would guess that this was not widely know in the states...TV reporting and newspapers across the US did not feel it necessary to report it. The it...is...the people of Iraq were praying the night through that President Bush would be re-elected. One girl told me that not only her mother...but others in her village stayed up all night praying to Allah to please answer their prayers. They have hope with Mr. Bush that they will have peace soon and their lives will be better for them and there children and their children's children.
Each day here I hear of murders or kidnapping of the workers or their children of workers who come to the Palace to earn money. They kill their own because they want to feed their families and have a decent way of life. Truly unbelievable. You know...most still come back after the threats...some of them after not listing to the threats...never come back. So if in the back of your mind...you think we are not doing something noble and kind here...think about what I have said. My prayer is for Jesus to have mercy on these lost people and provide them peace and a way forward...for their children and their children's children.
Last night...November 10th, we the Marines celebrated out 229th Birthday of the Corps. It is a night I shall always remember. I have been in the Marine Corps for 30 years...I signed up on 27 Mar 74 and went to OCS that summer. I have been to many B-day celebrations...but this one was very special. We gathered approx. 120 Marines and other services and civilians to join us. During the singing of the National Anthem...while "bombs bursting in air" was sung...there were mortars rounds hitting the deck some place in the not so far distance. During the Bagpiper's playing of the Marines Hymn...we have a fixed wing and a helo fly over...none planned. Our speaker...gave an outstanding speech and the food was wonderful. Life was good!
I went to the Chapel today for a Veteran's Service...brought tears to my eyes. Life is good. I am very proud to serve and pray that others will do the same with pride after my time has come and gone.
So...thanks again for your support and I don't know your friends...but I also say thank you for your service to our country. Any friend of Jon's is a friend of mine.
God Bless you and yours,
LtCol USMC
When I read this letter, I thought of what President Franklin D. Roosevelt said at the beginning of America's involvement in World War Two...
"Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again. Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God."
Those words still ring true today as America liberates Iraq and continues the War Against Terrorism. The Bush re-election showed terrorists that America will not be stifled.
Bump!
I agree. I sent it to Linda Vester today in the hopes she would read it on Dayside.
God Bless, Keep, and Protect these courageous American Patriots!
Hey, Grandma!
I have a friend also in Baghdad at the Palace, also a Lt. Col. and also a liason. My bet is they know each other.
She sent pics of the Marine birthday bash.
I send her threads all the time, especially the prayer threads.
Fr mail me, will ya?
Also, she sends out the most amazing "Good News" updates almost everyday, a whole page long, so we have a great picture of what's really going on over there.
Alot of our coalition partners are extending their stays and food and water, blankets, medical supplies, textbooks (including nursing texts) and LOTS of stuff being brought in by us and other countries, even UAE and Jordan, things being repaired and built. And she sends the most awesome pictures. I wish everyone could see them.
Fallujah is not in humanitarian crisis, the hospital is open, they have food and water an it is being rebuilt already. At least two trucks went out in a convoy yesterday to deliver stuff. Best part is we are working side by side with Iraqis to do this.
They are graduating from training classes daily for all kinds of jobs, police, fire, military. It really is awesome.
God bless the Marines. Iraq should be proof that Nazism is not dead.
Thank you for sharing this, and thanks to the LtCol and the Brothers for everything we cherish! Wonderful of him to write all this down in the midst of the action.
Thanks for posting this. We need to hear more of these kind of reports to combat the MSM negative reporting.
I have tears when I read about these wonderful, brave soldiers. They are dirty, scared, hot, hurt and they just keep on doing their jobs! They are simply amazing and so brave!
GrandmaPatriot, thank you for posting this. I'm going to make sure a LOT of folks see it.
I hate the MSM and NBC NEws/General Elctric.
They are trying to screw the Marines and destroy America along with Disney/ABC News.
Send their executives to Iraq so hopefully these fat cats get their heads cut off.
I support the Marines 100%!
Ping to Ragtime Cowgirl.
Bump
And this one too - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1281765/posts
Those could have been the words from the Marine the MSM is trying to convict for killing a terrorist. Shame on the MSM, and every Liberal who is taken in by them. Shame, shame.
Thanks for news from these fine patriots! God Bless them all.
VH&W
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