[martywake]

Dear Freepers, I am writing you an open letter about the attack on the ness hall in Mosul. This letter is pretty much a page out of my private journal. I am sharing this with you because of all of the love an support that you have shown us.

I was in the chow hall when the blast detonated. I was headed toward the serving line when I saw a bright flash and heard the loud thump. The nest thing that I know, I feel like someone smacked me in the back of the head real hard and kicked in the side of my knee. It wasn't till I was outside that I realized that I was bleeding. I ended up with minor shrapnel wounds to the leg, a slightly sprained knee and a buste eardrum. I was blessed. 22 brave Americans, 4 of our Iraq brothers and several innocent civilain employees fell that day. I weep for their families. Not a very Merry Christmas. I am pretty stoic about death but the soldiers that my heart goes out to the most are the brave men who conducted the mass casualty evacuation, or MASSCASEVAC. These kids turned into men that afternoon. They bore witness to things that young men shouldn't have to see. This is about the time that some pinko, tree hugging, athiest s@#$head will say "Where was your God then?" This is when I reply All life belongs to God and we all serve his purpose. When it is our time, it is our time (I told you I was stoic). Several things stick out in my mind on that day. When I was in the shelter and discovered that I was bleeding an Iraqi soldier applied first aid to me, unconcerned that I was American. All I could do was hug him and say "Shukrun" (Thank You). On that day, nationality and ethnicity did not matter. Arab, helped Kurd who helped Turk who helped American. Civilian and Military alike worked alongside like brother and sister, unconcerned for their own safety. This is the racial unity that the left is always crying aobut but can never grasp. To those, it is a notion, a dream crafted in the cocoon of irrationalism in which they live. To the God fearing folks like us, itis just a matter of fact, something ingrained in us by the Almighty. That is where MY God was. Three things stood out to me the most. The first was the aformentioned soldiering skill of the Iraqi soldier who treated me as a brother. There is hope for the future of this country as long as good men as these will take up arms against the insurgents. It also shows that our training of them has paid off. 2. a young female medic was weeping in the aid station where we were being treated. I pulled her aside and and said " I am going to tell you the same thing that I tell my daughters 'You need to be a big brave girl, These soldiers are counting on you and you can't be crying infront of them'" She tried so hard to be that big brave girl, inspite of the horror that she had seen. 3. The only female battalion commander that we have was the commander of the Aid station where I was taken. She is hard as nails and takes no guff from anyone, but on that day she showed me a kindness that reminded me of my Mom. Everyone needs their mother in a time like that. The leftist and the peaceniks and the cowards and the appeasers in our country will never understand the struggle that we face hear. They only see the ugliness of the situation and use it for their political purposes. As for me, I saw the face of God that day, I saw the promise of the future of Iraq and the best that we ,as a peopel can be. To all my beloved Freepers God bless and take care of us back home Martywake

[Chode]

God Bless You and Keep You from further harm martywake... God Speed.

[Americanwolf]

God bless thanks for your service.. stay safe

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

With all due respect marty count me in as one of your cynics.

I clicked on your name and then on the "in forum" key on your profile page. I read all your posts since you joined and your writing skills have denigrated immensely since you joined the forum.

You were quite articulate in the beginning. It's very obvious that has changed. If anyone cares to take the few moments I took to review all your posts, they will see it too. There is "quite" a difference in style that has taken place. One could say you've "morphed" into a totally different person in a very short time.

Do you think it is more "realistic" to portray a troop the way you are doing now, than in your previous posts? You've become very "slangy" in your speech pattern, where before you spoke very articulate and very educated.

You stated you have a higher education in earlier posts. Then you misspell quite a few words in later posts. (Just so you know, we have spell check on FR).

Call me suspicious. But I'm very protective of our troops. Any misrepresentation of our men or women serving would be taken very seriously by both of us. Like I said, having just read all your posts, I admit to some serious doubts as to your validity. The change in your writing style caused the first suspicion, then the way you changed how you emoted your feelings was cause for the second alarm to go off.

Care to explain this HUGE change in style?

Thanks.

FRegards, VH&W

[ChefKeith]

Thank You for Your service, Prayers for All of Y'all everywhere.

You see this?

[fastattacksailor]

Get well and return soon!

FAS

[nutmeg]

God bless you and the courageous warriors you serve with, martywake.

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[lainde]

We are so appreciative of your service and keep you and the rest of our brave service people in our prayers!

[xp38]

Thanks for the letter martywake. Prayers and blessings to you for a quick recovery. You have an army of prayer warriors here on FR for you as you no doubt well know.

[zip]

Thank you for your service and for protecting my family and myself. Be safe and God Bless all of the troops,past and present.