Letter From Iraq

Graceplusworks · Oct 30, 2004

An email from my daughter:

Friends and family The following email is an email that my Gunnery Sergeant at the Merchant Marine Academy received from a Lieutenant Colonel in Iraq. Please take 2 minutes out of your schedule to read this. Very Respectfully Midshipman Lindsay, 4/C(Plebe)

Subject: FW: Letter from the field (UNCLASSIFIED) Sometimes it's almost impossible to think of anything fitting or proper to say that would suffice as an introduction to someone else's heart felt words. I simply offer this as food for thought and hopefully to share a sense of pride in our Nation and its men and women who risk life and limb for those who can't defend their own selves. I believe we're still the good guys, and despite all we've been saturated with lately, we ARE making a difference in the world. This should be front page news. Always Faithful, GySgt Logan

A letter from a Marine Corps Battalion Commander re: the loss of one of his Marines. From: Smith LtCol Mark A Weekly Update 15 Oct 04 It is with the deepest sadness and most profound grief that I must report to you the loss of Daniel Wyatt, LCpl, Fox Co, 2nd Bn, 24th Marines, USMC. Daniel was killed in the line of duty, while conducting foot patrolling operations in Yusufiyah Iraq. Daniel was killed by a command detonated improvised explosive device. He died instantly, suffered no pain and was immediately recovered by his fellow Marines. My command security element and I personally recovered Daniel's body and escorted him back to the forward operating base, and then onto the helicopter for the beginning of his final ride home. I cannot even begin to express to you the soul touching sight of combat hardened Marines, encrusted with weeks of sweat and dust, who have daily been engaged in combat, coming to complete and utter solemnity and respect in the handling of the body of one of their own. It puts on display a level of brotherly love you just cannot see anywhere else. We conducted a memorial service for Daniel in the battle space owned by his fellow Marines, as well as one the following day at the battalion forward operating base. I have spoken with his fiancée and expressed the sorrow and sympathy of the entire Battalion. If I might for a moment, I hear and see some of the media coverage. I hear the accusations and charges. I hear what could almost be labeled as hysteria over the situation in Iraq. Let me tell you something from ground level. The town of Yusufiyah that Daniel and his fellow Marines seized, had not seen government structure or security forces for over 8 months. FOREIGN FIGHTERS, TERRORIST AND THUGS have had free reign and have routinely murdered people in the market for no reason other than one day they MIGHT support a democratic process and speak for themselves. For nothing more than they MIGHT choose a version of religion even slightly different than the terrorists and foreign fighters. They live in squalor and fear. The Marines of Daniel's unit have not had a shower since seizing the town. They have eaten MREs day in and day out. They live a Spartan existence that few can imagine. And, on all my trips to their position for planning, coordination and command visits, I ask them if they want to be relieved. To a man, they look me in the eye and tell me NO WAY. Why? Well, I am not going to soften it for anyone, the primary reason why is to kill terrorists. Please remember, that is what they are trained and paid to do. But, they also tell me, they want to help the people of Yusufiyah. They want to show all of Iraq that they can stand on their own feet, push back against extremism, and with our help live the life of freedom that all men yearn for. Yes, from the mouths of these young and hardened warriors, this is what they tell me. And then...and then...they ask me how I am doing! Un-freaking believable! They worry about everyone else but themselves. So believe what you want. That is your right as Americans. But I am telling you, there are no heroes on any football fields, basketball courts or halls of government. There are honorable and decent people all over America. However, the heroes are on the battlefields of Iraq. Suffering, killing and DYING that others might live, and live in FREEDOM. Americans free from terror, Iraqis free from oppression and tyranny. I am an under-educated gun toter from Indiana who is just lucky there is an organization like the USMC where a half-wit like myself with some rudimentary combat skills can succeed. But I do know heroes! I am surrounded by over a thousand of them. And I am not the least bit ashamed to tell you I have wept like a baby for Daniel Wyatt. Because when one of these heroes falls, it is if an Angel of God himself has fallen from heaven! I will not profess glory of battle or any other such hype. I will profess duty and sacrifice. Daniel showed us all true duty and ultimate sacrifice. I have no doubt that the instant he died, he was whisked to heaven on the wings of Angels and placed before the unapproachable light of Jesus, who himself said: "greater love hath no man, than a man lay down his life for his friends." GOD BLESS AND KEEP DANIEL WYATT, HIS FAMILY AND FIANCEE AND GOD BLESS AND KEEP ALL THE FAMILIES OF 2/24. Yours in profound sadness Mark A. Smith, LtCol TF 2/24 Cmdr Mahmudiyah, Iraq
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I have tried really hard to pray that God be merciful to those supposed Christians who would vote for any politician that hates our troops as much as some who are running for high office.

I have tried quite hard.

So far I have been unsuccessful.

G + W

LorrieGrace · Oct 30, 2004

I can hardly type I am crying so hard. Thanks for sharing this. I have been sick at my stomach ALL day after learning 8 more Marines died. My heart hurts so bad right now I do not know what to do. I mean, I know to pray, but my heart still hurts. I pray constantly for all those that are over there trying to make a difference in that region.

My son-in-law, a Marine, just returned home last month from Iraq. My daughter, a Corporal in the Army may have to go, and my husband is there now.

I am so grieved for those families, friends, an fellow heroes that have lost a loved one that I cannot put it into words.

I have to close because I cannot type anymore. Please God, watch over our heroes.

Graceplusworks · Oct 30, 2004

Lorriegrace:

Thank you so much for your response. You've got me crying now. I have two sons-in-law and one son in the military. One son-in-law is a Marine, although not sent yet, and my other son-in-law pilots a helicopter. He was there since the war started and has been in one crash (you may remember the helicopter crashes at the beginning of the war? His was the one in which no one was badly injured.) They sent him home, but he has to go back in the spring. Lord, I wish they'd get this thing straightened out.

My son is in Afghanistan, but that doesn't make me feel any better...the fanatics can be anywhere.

Keep praying for all the boys!!!

G + W

LorrieGrace · Oct 31, 2004

G + W,

I am with you on straightening this out. And I will NOT cease praying constantly for all those over there. You sound like you are a military family, too. Afghanistan is just as high on my priority prayer list as Iraq. That whole region over there is very unstable.

I just PRAISE the Lord that he put protection around your son-in-law during the helicopter crash.

I will be praying for you, too. Being a Mom of a military hero anywhere is hard but doubly so in such dangerous places.

(((((((((((((((G + W))))))))))))))))))

Graceplusworks · Oct 31, 2004

I will be praying for you, too. Being a Mom of a military hero anywhere is hard but doubly so in such dangerous places.

(((((((((((((((G + W))))))))))))))))))
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Why thank you so much, LorrieGrace. I love hugs and you can call me "Papa John."

...and right back at you ((((((((LorrieGrace))))))))

LorrieGrace · Nov 1, 2004

LOL, Papa John. Thanks for straightening me out. I do not know why I would assume you were a Mom!!

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