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Email from former commander of our adopted Stryker company:

All,

Sorry it has been so long since my last mail. As many of you know, I have left *** Company and am no longer the commander. I returned home for two weeks of leave in mid March, and then returned to Iraq where I have assumed a postion on the BDE staff in the operations section.

I left *** company on 8 March. CPT ***, a prior service CPT with lots of experience took over me. At the time of our change-over, things had been going very well in the *** area. As of my change of command, the police in *** and neighboring *** had returned to work. The civic leadership of both towns were working side by side with my soldiers to capture the terrorist responsible for the Febuary bombing of the *** municipal building.

We had complete our distribution of school supplies to the local schools that was started by the efforts of my brother *** (I have some great photos of this effort to send later).

Over all things were going very well. I cannot guarantee overall mission success for *** Co, or the military in general. I can say however, that in the time that I and *** Co had spend here, we had made a difference.

After the change of command, I returned home for two weeks of leave. I cannot express what and exciting time this was for myself, my wife ***, and my son ***. My greatest fear was that my son would not remember me, but this worry was misplaced. The moment he saw me his face lit up in a broad smile and he reached for me. My heart melted instantly. My leave went by in a blurr, but thanks to the efforts of my wonderful wife, we did not waste a moment.

We started my vacation by taking two days nad one night in Victoria Canada. My parents watched *** for us (did not have to asked them twice to do this). We spend a wonderful time in Victoria staying in the Fairmont Empress Hotel, where we also expreince "High Tea at Noon". A splendid time I recomend for everyone.

Upon our return to home, we then hosted [son's] 2nd birthday. Family and friend from all over came to see ***, and to see me. It was huge success, but unfortunatley I was not able to spend enough time with each of my friends or family members. *** however was treated like royalty receiving more presents that he will know what to do with for a year, so again a huge success.

After **** birthday we then took the next four days traveling down the Oregon coast. We stayed our first two nights at Cannon beach, and our second two at Lincoln city Oregon where **** found us a wonderful beach house with an incredible ocean view with a hotub facing the beach. We flew kites, walked on the beach, held hands, read books, had family dinners, played in the pool, and had a great time. I was so amazed to see how *** has grown. He is such a blessing.

It was hard to say goodbye when it was over. In fact it was harder this time than it was the first time. In the end I had a R&R leave that I would challenge anyone to surpass. I owe it all to my wife, she is such a wonderful lady, and she makes me the luckiest man alive.

Upon my return to Iraq, I was transfered *** about 20 kilometers [from former station]. [Description edited]. The food is great. On an even better note, since the elections, [we] have not received any major attacks. Another sign that things are getting better.

My new duties place me in the Brigade operations section. For lack of a better description, it is a desk job. While I certainly do not mind the better living, and less dangerous work (my wife certainly does), I find my thoughts still wandering to the men of *** company who are still patrolling each day, braving the dangers and IEDs. Every morning I go thru the reports from the previous 24hrs, and I always check to see how the guys are doing.

On leave I was able to visit with DJ who was wounded in Nov, Chris and Mike who where wounded in Dec. These men are a reminder that it is still very dangerous.

Well, this is long, so I will end for now. Tomorrow I will send you some pictures ...

R****