Letter from a Marine in Iraq

Hello to all. Sorry I haven’t written in the last couple of days. Much going on here. I would, however, like to share something with you today.

I am a firm believer that God sends us messages when we need them most. It can be in the form of a nod from someone passing you on the street, someone smiling at you when you are down, or in the written word from a page in a book, a message on a billboard, or the spoken word. The messages can be anything that catches your attention.

Everyday life here in Iraq has worn on me this week. At first I didn’t notice it and then all of a sudden it seemed to consume me. Many things added to the weariness I was feeling. I can’t put my finger on any one thing in particular that was the major contributor. It could have been the fact that the oppressive heat has returned this past week after enjoying mild temperatures in the high 90’s to low 100’s. (I smile at this because there is a saying here that says you know you are in Iraq too long when the temperature is 90 in the evenings and you turn your air conditioner off at night.) Or that the flies have returned with a vengeance. Another reason could be that even though I moved to a much safer trailer (one with cement barriers around it) I now have to go outside to a community shower and bathroom. Or that the shower only spurts water for about three minutes then turns off for four then back on for another three.

But, these things I have been getting used to so why was I so tired. Perhaps it was because we went back to full battle gear. We have received specific threats against our camp. It gets very tiring flinging 22 pounds up over your shoulder to get your arms in the armholes every time you need to go outside. It becomes a nuisance when there is nowhere to store your flak jacket and helmet when you sit down to eat in the dining facility or when you go to church. It becomes crowded very quickly. Your head begins to ache from wearing the helmet everywhere. Don’t get me wrong, these things are necessary and I appreciate that we have them but when you start to wear down, it just makes the burden that much heavier.

I definitely know that the kidnappings and beheadings have taken their toll. I’ve told you how I feel about the propaganda. It seems to be multiplying and feels like it is coming at us like an out of control freight train. The anxiety felt this week is definitely adding to the weariness. Because of the increased anxiety and armed with the knowledge that these evil people are getting more cunning, daring and desperate to create utter chaos and put fear into the fearless, I have done something I never thought I would have to do. I purchased a military knife for my own safety. Yes, I carry a pistol with me (another item that becomes heavy on the shoulders and neck as the day wears on) but I don’t take the pistol to the showers. Walking to the showers at night is dangerous. You can’t see who is around you. No one takes any chances here and you are warned not to. The fact that I am walking around knowing that I will use the knife or pistol if need be, wears on me.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. For my own balance in my life I try not to let myself get too tired, too hungry or too lonely. If I’m too hungry I can get grouchy. If I’m too lonely I can become withdrawn and let my imagination get the best of me. If I’m too tired I can lose concentration. As my week was coming to a close, I sat in my trailer late last night and started to wonder why I was really here. I know the reason I came over here to begin with; for the future of all the kids I know. But as I see more and more of the big picture I realize there has to be more. But with the weariness, anger was creeping into my very being and I didn’t like the feeling. I know I want to be here but I started doubting if it was making a difference.

Just as I am a firm believer that God sends us messages when we need them most, I believe that we have to be ready and willing to receive them or it will pass on by, unnoticed. My message came to me today in the form of the First Reading at Mass. Amos 6:1, 4-7 says, “Thus says the Lord the God of hosts: Woe to the complacent in Zion! Lying upon beds of ivory, stretched comfortably on their couches, they eat lambs taken from the flock, and calves from the stall! Improvising to the music of the harp, like David, they devise their own accompaniment. They drink wine from bowls and anoint themselves with the best oils; yet they are not made ill by the collapse of Joseph! Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, and their wanton revelry shall be done away with.”

This reading says there is no security in wealth. Those who seek only pleasure will not find peace and happiness. After pondering this and listening to the sermon I have come to realize that I am not here because of President Bush, or because I am a Marine. I am not here just for the future of our kids. I am here because of God. God wants us here. I took myself back in time to the hospital that I visited in Balad. I remembered observing the operating room and seeing our American doctors frantically trying to piece back together the broken bodies of both the coalition forces AND local Iraqis. Bodies that were torn apart by evil. God was working through those talented hands to help heal those broken bodies. I have to believe that we can not sit idly by and let this evil continue to permeate throughout this land. Knowing what we now do about Saddam, about Zarqawi, about Muqtada and about the rest of the evil that is here, how can we say we are Christians if we turn our backs on the Iraqis. If we did that, it would be just like in the reading, the people were enjoying their pleasures but ignoring the collapse of Joseph.

Whether I have to make a monumental decision tomorrow or just lend a hand to a newly arrived Marine or simply smile at someone who is having a “weary” day, I am here because it is the right thing to do. I have heard the message that God sent to me today. And, I no longer feel the weariness. I am here to help free his people.

If any of you do not wish to be pinged to this thread please let me know by FR mail. :)

Sharon said she went through her e-mails to see which ones would be appropriate to post and even though this is two months old, she said her views are still the same.

The one that follows it is one she wrote to children in the states and asked me to share for those whose younger kids have questions or concerns.

Take care everybody and thanks for praying for our military.

31 July 2004

Hello to All,

I hope this doesn’t offend anyone, that is the last thing I want to do. I went home to my trailer the other night and I was uncomfortable. Uncomfortable because I was feeling anger. Knowing that anger usually masks another emotion I tried to figure where it was coming from. It was from frustration. Frustration from insurgents aimlessly throwing mortars around and putting me in fear and danger. And, frustration from people saying things that they have no right to say or knowledge of what they are speaking about. So, I did what I usually do when I find myself in this situation. I sat down and put pen to paper.

This is not about taking political sides. But, I’ve sat through enough meetings, given enough briefs, followed way too many intel reports, made tough decisions, and have been on convoys that took me to where the Iraqis’ live. I have been the target of mortars, have to be fearful of IED’s; small arms fire; go to bed wondering if I will be the female that the insurgents will capture. I have been to the detention center where only 3 days ago prisoner #120 (the person who cut off the contractor’s head) was taken to another facility. I have looked into the eyes of the evil men. I can not call my friend who is 4 miles away and ask if they would like to meet for dinner. I can not shop on the economy. I am stripped of the comforts of home. Loved ones worry about me. Nope, not about taking sides. This is about some opinions I have formed based on my chaotic world and the world of 80% of the Iraqi people.

I came here for one reason. In just a matter of days, I realized that I am here for another reason. My first reason is a selfish one. I fight a war on terror so my young nieces and nephews, their children and all of your small, loved ones never have to deal with a 9/11, again. My new reason is for the 80% of Iraqi’s who want to vote, who want their country back, who want to live fear free.

The more I see, on a daily basis, of how many citizens are murdered who are trying to better their country, the angrier I get. I used to ask myself why these people would want to put themselves in harms way. The insurgents are going after their own people as much as they are after us, if not more so, now. It recently dawned on me that the Iraqi’s who want to join their police force or who want to run for their government or who want to join their military are no different than me or you for that matter. They are willing to die for the love of their country. It is that simple.

I have been able to follow the National Democratic Convention these past couple of days. Again, I am not taking sides right now as I know that President Bush is doing many wrong things. However, if Kerry thinks that he can pull troops out of Iraq and other Middle East Countries or that he is so good as to not take us to a war he is sadly mistaken.

I am not over here fighting to take a country away, I am fighting to give one back. The fate of Iraq is in Iraqi hands. I am here to support and protect them as they figure out the best way to rule their country. This war, as much as war is hell, is for a good cause. I get that asked of me all the time from people back home. If we pull out now we not only allow the terrorists to win, but we lose the milestones we have made. The insurgents are cowards, they are afraid of a democracy. Zarqawi wants to return Iraq to authoritarian rule. If the Iraqi’s are willing to shed their blood for freedom then I am willing to stay here.

Time to get off my soapbox. There are many other issues at hand in this election. But, I will end with one thought. It may not be a relevant campaign issue and I’m no political expert by any stretch of the imagination. This is just a thought from a simple Marine who happens to be in the midst of a mess. A great leader is also a great follower. How great a follower was John Kerry when he disagreed with his then boss, the President of the United States, when he displayed his “throwing away of medals” from a war. As much as I don’t like where I am, my boss, the President of the United States, says I need to be here. Any medals I come home with I will wear proudly.

God Bless the U.S.A.

Sharon said, "It is important to me that kids aren't afraid of what's happening here".

Her letter:

This email is for all the kids out there. Please relate this to them (if they can’t read). Even if you don’t have your own, you have grandkids, nieces, nephews, neighbors, students, you get the picture.

Hi guys,

My name is Lieutenant Colonel Sharon Jacko. I am in the Marine Corps and I am on what is called a deployment to Baghdad, Iraq.

Some of you may have a lot of questions concerning what we do here. Many of you may have fears or be afraid that we are hurting kids. I want to tell you that we treat the Iraqi’s with respect. Our number one priority is that we treat the Iraqi’s with the dignity and respect they deserve. This is their country and we are not over here trying to take it away from them or run it the American way. We are fighting – yes – but only the bad guys; the ones who are hurting their own people or are hurting the Americans and other people from other countries that are here helping us.

Iraq once had a very bad guy who named himself President and had total control of what everyone did. I’m sure you have heard the name Saddam Hussein. We have captured him and now we are trying to get rid of the rest of his “Army”. We are doing a pretty good job but it is going to take time. We want to make sure we get them all not only for the safety of the Iraqi people but for the safety of Americans and the rest of the world. I want you to be assured that we do not harm the kids. We do not harm the women or any of the Iraqi’s who want their freedom. These people are very glad we are here.

Most Iraqi’s wave to us and cheer us when we ride through their streets. I am looking forward to the day (soon) when I ride into the city and can talk to the kids and hand them candy. The guys like cigarettes – do you think I should take them some, even though we know they are not good for our health?

Our next step here is to help them vote. I don’t know how we are going to pull this one off. When you turn 18, you will see how easy it is to walk up to a voting booth and mark an X beside the candidate of your choice. You will not have to look over your shoulder to see if someone is going to hurt you if you vote. You will not have to have barbed wire placed around the voting center with machine guns placed in strategic places for your safety.

The reason I say I have no idea of how we are going to pull the elections off is that I don’t see how we are going to just go to places like Fallujah, Mosul, Karbala, and Tikrit and set up a voting booth and get the locals to come out and vote. This is what the bad guys fear, a fair election. It is an extraordinary challenge that faces us. But, somehow, we are going to pull it off; the American military always seem to make it happen.

So, I don’t want you to be afraid. Someday, you will understand what all this is about. I hope you are all enjoying school. I very much care what you guys do. All the Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen that I know send their best to you, and so do I.
Take care of each other and love to you all,

Sharon
Lieutenant Colonel
United States Marine Corps

Valleygal,

I can't thank you enough for the hard work you have put into sending on Sharon's emails. I have to set aside time during the day that I can handle an emotional onslaught while reading these emails. Sometimes I have to set some of them aside, and come back later because they are so moving (Angel in battle took awhile). My teenage son gets so embarassed when he sees me during this time.

I am so moved by Sharon's words. She is relaying such a wonderful message. And, you can also see her and our other outstanding soldiers frustration with the media. Such incredible things are going on; such awe inspiring sacrifices are being made by the Iraqi peoples to secure their own futures.

If anyone hasn't had the chance to hook up with Valleygal and get some of these writings, please do so. It will definitely give you strength to withstand the negativity we see in our media every day.

Thank you again, Valleygal.

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