From the General: Letter from MajGen James Mattis to Military families

e-mail | 04/13/04 | MajGen James Mattis

[RaceBannon]

This is a letter, reprinted with permission, from Major General James Mattis, the Commanding officer of the 1st MEF in Iraq.

The General and I served on the same ship off Iran in 1980 when I was a young Corporal and he was a young Captain. I was not one of his troops, but I still keep in touch with some men that were.

He is highly spoken of, and his record since 9/11 is exemplary.

[SandRat]

WWCD?

What Would "Chesty" Do?

From an old 1st ID soldier and his family.

U.S. Army Ret.

[SandRat]

The General has been sent this link to this page, and will most likely read it just to see who says hello, so, lets all say hello!

And if he or a subordinate posts, ask them what he remembers about me kick-boxing. :) I was just a newbie at it all, he thought it was kind of comical, any port in a storm for entertainment when you are in the Arabian Sea for 53 days without liberty!

Let's all give this page a bump.

[StarCMC]

Our troops ROCK!!

[TrueBeliever9]

That is an excellent Psalm; I got attached to 91 when my son made the Force Recon Team! Force Recon turned my hair white!

[RaceBannon]

Lest we forget.

U.S. Marines pray over a fallen comrade at a first aid point after he died from wounds suffered in fighting in Fallujah, Iraq (news - web sites), Thursday, April 8, 2004. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)

These men are still fighting and dying for all of us.

Semper Fidelis

[opbuzz]

I dig the USMC cammies.

Look at the helmets.

Check out the boots.

SF Race

PS: Seen Gunner Lil lately?

[Ronzo]

Race,

We better not let Andy Rooney see that letter! He's convinced that all our troops in a state of complete dispair and despondancy...

God bless ALL of our troops, whereever they're at!

And God bless the U.S. Marines! The greatest group of fighting men that have ever walked the earth.

I remember and pray for our troops each and every day, especially for those in Iraq. I thank God for what they are doing, and how they are taking a lot of flak that would otherwise be directed at us poor, helpless civilians.

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." (Jn 15:13)

[amom]

Thanks VERY MUCH for the ping. I hadn't seen it yet and would have missed a GREAT thread.

MajGen James Mattis: Salute and you have my prayers for a successful mission and a safe return to us back home. Thank you, thank you, and thanks to your men.

[RaceBannon]

No, I just got laid off, I have to go back and see if he still works there

Ill make sure I get a good phone number from him this time!

[amom]

heads up here

[Travis McGee]

Thank you, Marine!

[The Shrew]

Thanks for this post Marine!

I knew Lt. Gen. Conway (whom Maj. Gen. Mattis replaced as CG of IMEF) while serving with him in 3/3 in 1983. He is also one of the Corps' best and brightest.

Fair winds and following seas to those who follow us to wear the Eagle, Globe and Anchor!

Semper Fi General!

TS

[LucyJo]

You are welcome, amom. It is a great thread. I wish everyone at FR could see it and send their regards too.

[RaceBannon]

You must have some of the same feelings. People like Gen Mattis and Col Frick will be going down as Heroes to the Corps, and we once knew them.

What an even greater honor to those who are serving with them now, then we feel, as old Jarheads looking back on our old Glory Days.

These young men, most just in their late teens and early 20's, doing what many Marines before them did: fighting and some paying the supreme sacrifice so that we can live free and safe.

[nightowl]

You know, I can't imagine being in a war zone and I pray every day for our brave young men and women and our leaders. I suppose the most shocking thing to me is how liberals and their liberal anti-any-war allies in the media don't get the war on terror and our mission. They don't seem to remember how they screamed bloody murder when they received antrax in their mailbox.

I can assure you, the media is the terrorists #2 favorite target because they can be assured to get their message out, LOUDLY.

God bless you, General and your wonderful soldiers. We love and support you AND your mission.

[LADY J]

God bless all of you and keep you in His care!

You are the pride of our country...the best and the bravest who serve with honor. We love you and pray for you daily.

[amom]

I wish everyone at FR could see it and send their regards too.

Agreed. I bet Tonk and Texokie will lend a hand. They have GREAT ping lists.

[LucyJo]

Thought you might like to write one of your great poems for this thread, CG.

[nutmeg]

Race, what a wonderful letter from Major General Mattis! Thank you for sharing it with all of us. You know I'll be pinging a bunch of FReepers to this thread! :-)

God bless the U.S. Marines and all of our troops. We are so grateful to our men and women in uniform - past and present - for their courageous and steadfast service to our beloved country.

[RaceBannon]

Great poster.