Givin the renewed fighting in and around Fallujah I thought this might be of interest to a few of you, it was forwared to me via a close friend of the family...
I am currently serving with the CPA in Baghdad, contributing far less than
the 2/4 Marines. Rather than write of my own modest contribution, I thought
it best just to relay home a note that was written to the 2/4 Marines
families.
Semper Fi,
Robert Maguire
Col., USMCR
_____
From Fajullah with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment.
/tdr
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 2:03 AM
Subject: Update from Lt Col Kennedy
"Dear Ladies, the last two days have been the hardest two days this
battalion has faced in over 30 years. Within the blink of an eye the
situation went form relatively calm to a raging storm. You've known that
since arriving there has been violence; attacks have been sporadic and
mostly limited to roadside bombs. Your husbands have become experts at
recognizing those threats and neutralizing them before we are injured. Up to
this point the war has been the purview of corporals and sergeants, and the
squad they lead.
Yesterday the enemy upped the ante.
Early in the morning we exchanged gunfire with a group of insurgents without
significant loss. As morning progressed, the enemy fed more men into the
fight and we responded with stronger force. Unfortunately, this led to
injuries as our Marines and sailors started clearing the city block by
block. The enemy did not run; they fought us like soldiers And we destroyed
the enemy like only Marines can. By the end of the evening the local
hospital was so full of their dead and wounded that they ran out of space to
put them. Your husbands were awesome all night they stayed at the job of
securing the streets and nobody challenged them as the hours wore on. They
did not surrender an inch nor did flinch from the next potential threat.
Previous to yesterday the terrorist thought that we were soft enough to
challenge. As of tonight the message is loud and clear that the Marines will
not be beaten.
Today the enemy started all over again, although with far fewer numbers,
only now the rest of the battalion joined the fight. Without elaborating too
much, Weapons Company and Golf Company crushed their attackers with the
vengeance of the righteous. They filled up the hospitals again and we
suffered only a few injuries. Echo Company dominated the previous day's
battlefield. Fox Company patrolled with confidence and authority; nobody
challenged them. Even Headquarters Company manned their stations and counted
far fewer people openly watching us with disdain. If the enemy is foolish
enough to try to take your men again they will not survive contact. We are
here to win.
The news looks grim from back in the States. We did take losses that, in our
hearts, we will always live with. The men we lost were taken within the very
opening minutes of the violence. They could not have foreseen the treachery
of the enemy and they did not suffer. We can never replace these Marines and
Sailors but they will fight on with us in spirit. We are not feeling sorry
for ourselves nor do we fear what tomorrow will bring. The battalion has
lived up to its reputation as The Magnificent Bastards.
Yesterday made everyone here stronger and wiser; it will be a cold day in
Hell before we are taken for granted again."
Paul Kennedy and Jim Booker
