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.

Thank you so very much for this thread, valleygal.

Sharon, we love you and all the folks you are serving with. I want you to know that I empathize with you on the shower situation. I thank God just about every day for not only hot water for my shower, but for indoor plumbing. Those are blessings not to be ignored by those of us stateside!

This is now an official destination for the Prayer Warrior Field Trips. For those who may wish to pray with other Freepers for our troops, you are invited to check out the troop prayer threads.

http://freerepublic.com/focus/news/1101474/posts?page=815

Following is the prayer posted on the Troop Prayer Thread 10
for LtCol Jacko, post number 816.

Beloved Heavenly Father,

We have heard the soul of one of your servants crying out to you for surcease from the relentless crush of darkness with which she has been burdened. We have seen that she takes on that burden with joy and with the attitude our Lord asks of us. She gives it to Him and He makes it Light.

Father, we ask that you will take our prayers and multiply them and reach directly into her heart, her mind, and her entire world to grant her a sustained and lasting Peace. Strengthen her in her resolve to be the willing Servant of her fellow troops and the Iraqi people in thy Name.

Father, we are petitioning you to place over LtCol Jacko one of our prayer blankets woven from our prayers containing all the many frequencies of light and love of your heart which she may need at any given moment. Let this prayer blanket be woven with the cool blues and invincible strands of your powerful protection. Let your love and courage surround her in all the many shades of pale pink and ruby. Enfold her in the shimmering hues of gold and yellow which remind us of the light of your Illumination and Wisdom. Let her be granted extraordinary increments of your discipline, and obedience in the purity of your cleanest brightest whites. Let her and those around her be healed in the flames of Truth and Abundance with shades of emerald green. She has taken up the mantle of our Lord in His service. Let her wear upon her shoulders, the deep royal purple denoting His majesty of being the Servant King. We also ask that as the smallest simple sweet violet can melt the hardest heart, we ask that you will let that hue enfold her in comforting strands of mercy, forgiveness, and the ability to extend that hunger for and desire to serve Freedom in this world.

We further ask that you will assign a large team of angels to walk with LtCol Jacko as she moves through the area to which she is assigned. Especially do we ask that she be granted extraordinary protection on her walks to the shower and other dangerous places. Grant her the ability to hear that Still Small Voice which can serve to warn her. Grant her the ability to move and dodge the dangers and attacks which the dark forces seeks to bring to bear against her. Place upon her and all our troops and those who stand with them the Whole Armor of God as an invincible golden chain mail.

Father, we remember her loved ones. Grant to all who hold vigil for Sharon a strength and comfort in the knowledge that all will be well with her by thy Grace. Hold them in your arms and grant them Vision and the ability to understand that which is difficult to understand for those who have not born arms in a war zone.

We are grateful for these who have chosen to serve at the altar for Sharon and all our troops. Increase and multiply the prayers of those who hold vigil and let there be woven from them a great network of light. Let its mesh serve as protection for each and every soul who serves the Holy Cause of Freedom. All which we call forth for LtCol Jacko we call forth for all of our troops, our allies, the fledgling Iraqi/Afghani security forces, and the contract personnel who serve beside them.

Father, we are grateful for the service of our precious young men and women who have heard your Call. They have come to you and said, "Hear I am, Lord, send me." Father, we owe them so much which we can never repay. Reach into their hearts and let them know directly in some way the gratitude we feel. Guide each of us into knowing what task you would ask each of us this day for the furtherance of your divine Will in the earth. We do invoke that divine Will and are grateful that you are our infinitely powerful and omiscient God as well as our tender, approachable, caring, merciful and loving Father. Let all be done according to your Will, for your Will is Good.

Amen

Heavenly Father, we return with tears of eye and heart to thank You that You have so blessed us ... You have graced America's sons and daughters with love of God and country and fellow man, that they would leave the warmth of home to live and die on foreign soil that we would continue to breathe free. Thank You that through Sharon's words, we can taste the weariness and the burdens, yet we can feel the resolve and hope of a nation entering newness of life. And we recoil with horror at the evil that is desperate to prevent freedom. Mightily bless this brave warrior, and all the sons and daughters of America and like-minded nations ... grant success to their mission, for they go forth to scatter darkness with light.

Abundantly bless each household, Merciful Father, whose son or daughter has stepped forward in our place ... who stands between us and the most vile enemy. Pierce the hearts of those so deceived, who call evil "good" and good "evil." Bring forth the Truth of Your Word and may it fall upon hungry hearts ... cause it to thrive and prosper and so advance the Kingdom of God.

Even as we entrust these dear ones to Your care, Sovereign Lord, hearts are grieved because lives are ended in battle ... bind up these hearts with the prayers of millions who deeply share their sorrow. "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13. The ultimate sacrifice in the human realm ... just as the suffering Christ laid down his life for all of humanity. Help us, O God, to walk in the knowledge of that love ... from You, and from America's precious sons and daughters. In the Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen ...

I received this from Sharon today. She asked me to post it and it is to all of you, as well.

I don’t know how to thank you for putting me in touch with all these wonderful people. I can feel the prayers. It was especially important to read these responses this morning. At 4:46 a.m. another rocket hit our camp and took out two trailers; one killed, 7 wounded (one critical). Not 10 minutes ago, as I was reading the threads another rocket hit. We all looked at each other in stunned silence because from the sound of it and how it continued to echo through the Palace, we thought we were hit. We all ran to the balcony and watched the plume of smoke rise. We are waiting to hear the results as it hit in the vicinity of one of our Generals buildings.

We know it is going to continue to worsen the closer we get to the elections (Iraqi). I ask not only for your continued prayers for me and all other coalition forces here but for the Iraqi people to have the courage and strength to stand up to the evil that faces them and cast their vote.

Love and prayers back at you and everyone else.

Sharon

If any of you don't want to be pinged to this thread please FR mail me. Take care.

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