Posted on 10/23/2004 7:53:28 AM PDT by Coop
Hey there everyone,
...Today we woke up with a few mortar blasts that made our teeth rattle and then a incoming rocket to top things off. Most people would think that we would get our gear on and jump into a bunker........but not us. When things get bad here, we BBQ! We found some meat and grilled the afternoon away playing football between burgers. The bombs kept falling but the fun never stoped. It almost felt like home for a bit. Then we topped off the evening firing up the hukka on the roof and watched the flashes in the distance as coalition forces got some payback. Fortunatly our buddies in the sky took care of it for us this time.
My injuries are doing fine. The corpsmen have taken good care of me and I think I might even get out of this with a very minor scar. I was not that good looking to begin with so some shrapnel to the face really was not going to help the situation. This afternoon, people from all over the camp came to meet "The Luckiest Marine in Fallujah". The bad news is that this does not get me an early ticket home. I feel that I am very fortunate that I had such a close call and that I can still continue to work. We are still doing good things here and we will continue to help the people of Iraq until our last day in country.
Many of you have asked if I had a chance to vote. I mailed my absentee ballot three days ago. The Marines have done an excellent job in allowing us to have our say in the upcoming election. I have missed many of the debates and from what I understand, this may be a very close election. Only time will tell.
I explained the voting process to many of my Iraqii counterparts. They were fascinated that in America every individual has a voice. Regardless of race, religion, wealth or power. Many of them told me that they can only dream of the day when Iraq will have the same type of democracy. I hope that what we are doing here will help in the process. Sooooo, make sure you all get out and vote! Regardless of who you choose, just remember that the simple act of checking the little box is something that many would die for. We really are a great nation.
Well, I have rambled on enough. Thank you for all your responses and letters. They mean so much to us here. I hope everyone is good and I look forward to hearing from you. Take care. Peace in the Middle East.
-Todd
PS-I lost all the hair on my hands today. Could someone send some BBQ tools;-)
I wish I could tell your buddy the amount of high regard that we have for him and his brothers (and sisters).
Heck, I wonder if we could find a way to get a few steaks to them too.
On behalf of all the Mods, please let Todd know we're pulling for him and tell him how much we appreciate his service to our country. And to get well soon :)
LOL!
BBQ and music while under fire.
People said I was a 'crazy' 13B (what artillery type isn't?) he sounds like he'd have fit right in with us!
(I'm also jealous, he got some BBQ'ing done! I haven't had one yet this year!)
Tell him, from this former 'undisciplined 13B', "Thank you for being there and for being in uniform, Marine. HOOAH!"
Well, we'd like to send Todd our warmest regards and thank him for his service.
Todd, we're proud of you, we support you and think you'll be part of the next, Greatest Generation.
Ping
Think I accidentally forgot you, Devil Dog!
Hey BG! Any thoughts on getting this fine young Marine a few steaks to cook up?
Kerry is a Malignant Narcissistic Liar. Adding the word Malignant to your description of him, because he would be deadly and dangerous as our president.
Pray for W and Our Troops
Todd:
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service and believe this old lady when she says "Sometimes a scar enhances the looks of a rugged man."
I won't ask what kind of meat you "found." Practically anything is good grilled.
Stay safe and God bless you and all your brothers in the military.
Please be safe, we are very proud of our young men and women. YOU are keeping us safe.
This from Fallujah.
LOL, good thing you didn't post his address. What would he do with 10,000 sets of BBQ tools?
These guys make us so proud.
Great letter Coop! Thanks for posting it and thanks to your friend for his service to out country.
For that matter....does he need anything? Ask him. If he needs something, we're willing to help.
Todd, thanks for your service in Iraq for our protection at home.
Freepers in PN, IA, NM, MN, WI, OH, FL, and NJ (did I miss any?)- Thanks for your service in those states during this campaign, for the protection of our nation and our men and women in the military.
God Bless America.
He's a Great American. He'd start a busuness !! ;^)
Good on you, Todd -- thanks for your service and help to those in harms way.
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