Dad -
We executed the patrol yesterday - suspect that you have seen that on the news. Couldn't tell you last night for security reasons. The patrol went well. Interesting information that you probably did not see on the news: When the Iraqis came in to link up with us, they were very stoic. In fact, I had a pistol that I had to give to the leader of the Iraqi contingent today. I wanted to make it public in front of his men but he appeared very awkward. He only touched the pistol briefly and quickly gave it to his aid. The rest of the Iraqis looked somewhat hostile/worried. Frankly, I did not know what to make of it.
Shortly before the patrol stepped off, my element moved to our forward location and held fast. As we moved the short distance to our staging area, I was mulling over what may have been behind the Iraqi reaction. As I was looking around it dawned on me. We had Marines staged as a QRF (Quick Reaction Force) very near the area that the Iraqis came to link up with us but out of view of the city. The Marines all had their game face on and it was a very strong force. My guess is that when the Iraqis cleared the cloverleaf and saw our guys their hearts must have skipped a beat. The enemy was spreading disinformation that the patrol was a trick and that we were really going to attack. Remember what I said about the ignorance level and the rampant rumors here.
When the patrol exited the city and the Iraqis came back through our lines, they were literally chanting and singing. Their pride was evident.
There will be good days and not so good days. Today was a good day.
Love,
Dave
Hi Rae,
I assume that this is the same Dave who's letter I have a copy of. How in the world did you happen upon those 3 little posts of mine? I have a Marine in 2nd Tanks who asked me to put those someplace where his friends/buddies could read them. We did a blog detailing his trip through basic with two of his high school classmates. I never imagined that these would get outside of his select circle. Ah, the world truly gets smaller by the day!
Posted by: Gregg at May 12, 2004 06:16 PMGregg,
Someone Googled one of the complete sentences from Dave's letter (I saw it on my sitemeter). I will sometimes check out the actual search. I saw your blog listed on the search as containing the entire sentence and wondered how in the world you got it.
Yes, indeed, a small world :)
Posted by: Rae at May 12, 2004 06:33 PMRae,
How is it that you have this connection with Dave and the USMC?
Gregg
Posted by: Gregg at May 13, 2004 05:57 PMDave is my husband's friend from his youth. They met at summer camp and because they lived in the same city, they would hang out together as they grew up. When they both graduated in 1983, Dave went to college and R went into the Marine Corps. When R was honorably discharged from active duty (he stayed in the reserves until 1991), he began attending college at the University of Missouri-Columbia (where we met). Dave also began his study of law there the same year. Dave's dad likes to say that R's friendship directly influenced Dave's choice of military.
Posted by: Rae at May 13, 2004 07:17 PMWell first, Damon, you might want to e-mail "correspondent" Dahr Jamail, that Marines are not soldiers- that refers to members of the Army- just a pesky little thing, but you know....facts are facts.
I didn't read anything but one quote and an obvious personal opinion (which journalists, if indeed Mr. Jamail is one without self-credentialing, should be able to write without expressing) that the Fallujahan's are happy the Marines left and even if they are, I see the happiness as representative that they are now free from those that terrorized them and the Marines departure says it is no longer a major threat to the residents.
Also, I think that there will always be those who disagree with the coalition forces being there, but seem to revel in the freedom they themselves couldn't enjoy without their help.
Posted by: Rae at May 17, 2004 01:52 PM
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