From a friend of a family friend who was killed in the first weeks of IRAQ 2
Hello to all,
Hope this finds everybody well. I am fine. Let me tell you about
yesterday's rain storm. It was 40 degrees and it rained for the better part of a whole day non-stop! I think we got more than an inch in that time. Needless to say, all is mud now and due to an amazingly non existent drainage system in the built up areas, most things are still flooded.
Never-the-less, today dawned with sunny skies and warm temps. Desert life.
The most exciting thing that happened this week was the chance to do a video teleconference with Susan, Alex and Grace. Technology is amazing and I was quite happy to see my little gyrene and princess on the screen and interact with them. They seemed a little amazed at first but quickly settled into singing a medley of songs, demonstraing their gymnastic abilities, and making some rather silly faces.
But alas, today's three-year-olds are not to be awed by satellite technology, Susan said they were pretty interested in hitting McDonald's after it was all over. It was good for Daddio though!
We are working hard preparing for the big election. I have been involved in lots of planning both for this event and what comes after. This has kept all of us very busy and will keep me here at least into March. We have done some internal shuffling and redistribution of our folks leaving me in charge of the crew here. While that may sound like a good deal, the only real perks are having to attend more meetings! You gotta love it.
I have never been in corporate america to see how big, complex organizations run, but I must say our 1stMarDiv machine is pretty impressive...fighting throughout an area the size of North Carolina, and planning an election where none has ever existed. Easy day!
Other than that, not much much else to tell you. I know it sounds crazy, but most of us feel like we are truly making some history here. It is good to be a part of it even if it is frustrating. I think most people would be utterly amazed at the kinds of non-traditional nation building things the US military is doing over here (construction, utilities, government support, developing police, military, and customs services, humanitarian assistance, medical, etc).
All of this while continuing daily to fight a persistent terrorist insurgency that continues to kill Iraqis with suicide bombers and
beheadings. Our motto "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy" is lived out every day. The flexibility, ingenuity, and courage of the young Marines (and the old leathernecks too) never ceases to amaze me.
I know I've said it before but we maintain the will to do this because we are confident in the support from the homefront.
Thanks to all of you for that, in whatever form. We don't expect any thanks from Iraqis...even though they will be much better off in the end. We are doing this for America.
Take care...Love,
Nate
"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, that my child may have peace." --Thomas Paine
