Posted on 12/22/2004 3:55:45 PM PST by CHARLITE
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL OF YOU
Hope that this email finds everyone safe, well and ready for the New Years. Thank you again for all the support that you have given to me and My Marines and Sailors over the past couple of months. The packages emails and cards mean a great deal because each of them were sent with care from each of you. Thank you. They have made many of my days much brighter. In fact I have made a couple of pen pals since I have arrived here and received numerous messages and card from various Women Marines Association Chapters. The support is wonderful. This time of year is especially hard to most of us here but you have all made it a little more bearable.
It has been over a month since I last wrote my usual monthly email. I apologize for being late but I have been very very busy lately. I have been working on getting Marines promoted, visiting my Marines in various locations and organizing and assisting VIP visits.
This past month, we have been visited by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Secretary of the Navy, Robin Williams, John Elway, some model with the last name of Keedy (I think), the San Diego Chargers cheer leaders, The Commander of I MEF, The Commander of MARFORPAC, and that is just off of the top of my head. It has been a rather busy month. I personally enjoyed meeting and shaking the hand of Robin Williams. I still remember he looked at me in surprise and said that I had a firm handshake. I told him that I have been watching him since Mork and Mindy and he said "Hey, me too"! Anyway it was great to meet him.
The entire show was great and the cast stayed even when the electricity and heat did not. In fact they had to come and drag Robin Williams away and he yelled funny things to us as he was being dragged away. As he was driving away he was still yelling out the window. It was hillarious and for a while made everyone forget where they were.
This month I have had the opportunity to visit many of my squadron's Marines that are located in areas directly in harm's way. During late November I went on a convoy to a place called Taqaddum (not sure of the spelling). It was a 4 hour ride one way in icy temperatures. Our vehicles did not have up armour so the window areas remain open. Cold was given a new meaning. I learned that hot hands do not always work (it does not matter where you place them) and that the neck gaitors issued to us definitely could be made for colder weather. We encountered some minor incidences, heard incoming fire, but were able to get through safely.
All in all the trip was a success. I got to see my old CO from Rations Company, the CO from CSSB-15, and some Marines from Rations Company who are working mortuary affairs. The stories they tell of what we call angels (Servicemembers KIA) would make the strongest cry. My heart goes out to those families that have lost someone, especially this time of year. During December I also took two helicopter rides, one was to the location show in the picture I am forwarding.
Ramadi, is a very busy place, insurgents still remain in the area, smoke is everywhere, rockets, mortars, and indirect fire are constant and it is amazing on how well servicemen adapt to any climate. Marines and army personnel never flinched when things went boom, they just carried on, ate their chow, completed their task as though it were just the wind making the noise. I was impressed. What you see in the background of the pic is a castle (I cannot name the castle or direct location).
In Ramadi I learned never again to say yes when military dog handlers ask you if you wish to catch a dog. I of course said yes and a heavy cuff was placed on my left forearm. The Dog handler said "okay SgtMaj, when I tell you to run, turn and run, make sure that you keep the left forearm behind you". So being the obediant Marine that I am I turned and began to run.
I could hear them telling the dog "ATTACK" as I took off as fast as I could.
Of course the dog caught up with me and much to my surprise yanked me to the ground. Of course being a Sergeant Major, I had to get up and do it again.
Sometimes it does not pay to be stubborn. I also learned how to sleep on helicopters. The other location I flew to is one of my normal monthly trips and I always make to see Marines. They have made vast improvements to the airfield and area.
It is true that Marines bloom where they are planted. These Marines have not only bloomed in an adverse and hostile environment but they have won the blue ribbon when it comes to accomplishing the tasks they are given.
I am still working around 15 hour days but so are many of my Marines. Right now I am fighting off the IRAQI Cold we call it. I have had it almost a week and it continues to attack me. The weather has warmed up some lately and at least it is not bitter cold as it has been.
Lately the talk around the squadron involves things that will be done once we have made it home. I of course will just be content to see my family and friends again.
There are a few more items that I do think of which include not having to put on my gortex jacket, watch cap, boots and sometimes kevlar and flak jacket just to go to the restroom, be able to get in MY car, drive to the store (heck drive anywhere) and actually know that they will more than one product that I can choose from, being able to take a shower without turning on and off the faucet, hot running water (our water pipes have been blown up a couple of times so far) or even being able to take a shower more than once or twice a week. I will be content to wait for the waiter at a restraunt to take my order (I will never again go to a buffet style restraunt), sleep at night and not worry whether or not an aircraft is going to fall on top of me (they fly right over us) or any other object falling out of the sky on me, and of course I will be content to sit on my deck with a beer in my hand looking over my backyard in peace and quiet.
Well, it is time for me to close and get back to work. Before I close I would like to thank you again for everything, and wish you the happiest of holidays and best wishes for the New Year. Take care and see you soon.
SEMPER FIDELIS
Sergeant Major Heidi Linscott
LOL! Boy, did that one bring back a memory... BTT.
Too funny, she's a good writer.
Char
Now I know why my father hated buffet style restaurants. I remember when Salad Bars first started to be a big restaurant thing, my father wouuld still have the waitress make the salads and serve them. He detested any food eatery that wasn't full service. I new his service in the marines made him a one of a kind guy, now I have a better undertanding of why. A Very good story for sure. I wish safety upon all of our great soldiers in harms way. Semper Fi
Bump
God Bless Sgt. Major Heidi and all of her Marines and Sailors. They make America safe. They are All in this Airman's Prayers.
Does she tune in to FR?
Good Job, there, Sgt. Major!
That is one cool woman! I stand in awe of her and the life she's currently leading. (Man, I MISS Army life!)
How do you know her, if I may ask? Does she or her Marines need anything I could send them? Thanks for posting this. It totally made my day.
*SNIF* Heart swells with PRIDE thinking about our fine, awesome, amazingly amazing military peeps, LOL!
Semper Fi!
Lighten up.
Semper Fi!
Semper Fi Ping!
"(I will never again go to a buffet style restraunt)"
Hummm.......I never did connect my dislike for buffets to Marine Corps chow lines.
Thank you, Sargeant Major Linscott!
May God protect you and the troops!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.