Letter From a Marine In Baghdad

(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...)

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.

And another letter;
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"Hey - I wrote this once and sent it out to several people because - I'm short on time - so sorry for the bulk mail on such a serious topic - but computer time is short. Here goes: Sorry it's been so long - we've had down internet for so long due to the Fallujah Operational security. Had some rough times fighting in the city. We (1/8 Marines) were the main effort that assaulted the city at the jump of operations, and then pushed straight down the middle, fighting house to house nonstop for four straight days - heat rash - busted backs from 100 lbs of gear - dehydration. I can't count the number of firefights we were in, including several that lasted over four hours. I can hardly hear from the danger close artillery - some which landed in the buildings next to us. We dropped countless 500 lb bombs and air strikes that debris and metal was almost always raining from the air. RPG's have been blowing up all around our positions and mortars almost took us out two days ago. I'm so f#$%ing deaf. We would move 100 yards; take sniper fire from a building - get pinned down - and call in to have it destroyed. I dropped about three four story buildings on my own calls. On the second day - we killed eight guys trying to sneak up on us in a truck - totally f@#$ing destroyed the truck they were in which was filled with RPG's and AK's - one was wearing a suicide vest which detonated when we hit the flaming wreck with frags. That same day - we tried to cross a wide street and four Marines were taken out by snipers. On our fourth day - we were pushing hard - almost through the city when our platoon took heavy casualties. We got ambushed on a 3 am patrol and had a Marine killed instantly - two others shot. The tanks instantly started lighting up the place - shaking the ground and tracers were flying everywhere. I was firing the SAW from the hip - must have gone through 1000 rounds. We scrambled to find a safe house with elevation and a roof - pushed about 50 yards and stacked up on a good structure. When we rushed in to clear the house - two grenades rolled down the stairs and before I knew what was going on - seven of us went down. One guy got it bad - the shit ripped half his face off. It all happened in slow motion. Me - and most of the others took it in the legs - some worse than others. We got evacuated last night and returned to the base hospital. I ended up with shrapnel in my left leg - not bad, it's small - I can limp around and should be 100% in about a week. Probably not coming home early - most likely going to return to active duty. Hope this is all wrapped up by then in Fallujah - that place really is hell on earth. Sorry for the dreary news - but from the nasty shit I've seen - it could be much worse. Other than that - I'm counting the days on that rapidly approaching return date. Don't worry - I haven't gone crazy - and am maintaining as much a sense of humor as is tasteful out here - whatever the hell that means. Take care - and I'll do the same out here. Regards."

These are real words from a Marine in Fallujah. Please keep him, and all our service men and women in your prayers.

God bless our soldiers and God bless America.

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