happy 2009

Hi. Happy New Year. I've missed you!

I got this email from James yesterday...and thought it would be worth sharing with you guys... (James, i hope you don't mind) thanks to all of you who have sent letters and care packages to James and his Marines. I know they really appreciate the letters and items, but also the sentiments behind them.

Side note: these pictures are also from James. They are incredible. The pictures themselves, but also the feelings you get from looking at them. I can't even imagine.



All,

Happy New Year! Can’t believe it’s already 2009. I hope everyone stayed safe and had a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family. The last week and a half has been pretty busy out here to say the least. Along with continuing to provide logistical support to units throughout our AO, we had several visitors come out to wish us a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, to include the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The weather has been extremely cold, especially at night. With the wind chill, the lows have dropped into the high teens and low twenties. We had our first snow on 1 January...two to three inches accumulated on the deck about 70 kilometers away from our position. While we only got a thick frost, one of our Combat Logistics Patrols (CLP’s) that went out the same day, had to drive through it. The snow melted once the sun came up and washed out several roads and turned the rat trails into a complete mess. Two of our trucks got stuck and we had to induct both of them into Maintenance for repairs due to the damage they sustained while trying to pull them out.

To recap, Christmas day was a good time. We had hot chow flown in, which was absolutely amazing. We also held a “talent show” to boost morale…kinda like American Idol. There were eight participants, two of which were Marines from my platoon that had been putting together a “lyrical storm” for a few days. One played guitar while the other sang. Hands down I thought they did a great job. After the three judges talked for a few minutes, they confirmed my opinion by awarding my Marines 1st Place. “1st Place” was an all day “pass” to the closest Army FOB (Forward Operating Base) which is over 100 kilometers away. The FOB had hot showers, a chow hall with real food (not just MRE’s and UGR’s), and a PX.

The joke was on us though…we already had a CLP heading that way the next day to drop off a vehicle part and the two “winners” were already manifested to go. We all laughed. The next day the FOB was everything we’d hoped it would be. Being out here makes you cherish all of the small things you usually take for granted back home…like hot water, clean clothing, and fresh food. We got a taste of all three and they never tasted so good. Even though our stay was brief, it was worth every minute. New Year’s Eve was spent playing cards, swapping stories, and trying to stay warm. We had almost frozen Non-Alcoholic Beer available (a.k.a. Near Beer), but nobody felt like “drinking.” We opened up the New Year with a promotion ceremony. I had the privilege of promoting one of my IRR (Reserve) Marines from Corporal to Sergeant. He is a prior 0331 (Infantry Machine Gunner) and served in OIF 1 & 2, participating in open combat in Najaf, Nasariyah, and Al Kut. Originally from Montana, Sgt Burns is a well-respected member of the platoon. We “broke him in” today by giving him the responsibility of leading a mission to recovery a down LAR (Light Armored Reconnaissance) vehicle.

To put this in perspective, this type of mission/responsibility is usually handled by me, my Staff Sergeant, or one of our two seasoned Motor Transport Sergeants who have done it countless times. Burns, not being Motor Transport, but wanting to prove himself worthy did what any Buck Sergeant would have do in his situation…he completed the mission the best way he knew how. He got the job done and performed really well. Apparently someone with a much higher rank and pay-grade than me thinks what we are doing out here is working & helping to stop Al-Qaeda. Very good news. As a result, we are staying an extra week until our replacements arrive. No complaints on our side. We love it up here and all wish we could stay longer.

I want to thank everyone for keeping us in their prayers, writing us letters, and sending us care packages. We appreciate ever bit of it! Thank you for spending your time, hard-earned money, and energy to support us. You have no idea how much it boosts morale…I wish you could see everyone’s face and reaction to getting the items you send. Thank you!

Semper Fidelis,
James

Again... to write to one of the Marines in James' platoon all you need is a pen, paper, and .42 cent stamp. Oh yeah... and this address:

ANY MARINE
1ST MAINT BN TS CO 1ST PLATOON
UNIT 42310
FPO, AP 96426-42310