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This is a letter that I sent home to family of friends following a tough week in Iraq when I was in battalion command in Baghdad. I've previously shared it in a couple of venues and hope RallyPoint finds it of interest.
From: Russell, Samuel L LTC MIL USA FORSCOM
Sent: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 4:10 pm
Subject: Another Memorial
Family and Friends...
I've been trying to get out another update on the events of the past two months, but we've had a busy couple of weeks -- large spike in insurgent activity. Unfortunately, our brigade lost several Soldiers. Again, my battalion was spared any casualties. I can't bring myself to write about my trivial goings on with the weight of the latest combat operations, and the burden of the associated loss. That will have to wait.
One of the missions my unit performs is recovering heavily damaged vehicles that units are unable to self-recover. We had several over the past week into heavily contested areas. Our follow-on missions after a recovery are to sanitize the damaged or destroyed vehicles, process the human remains and prepare the fallen Soldiers for transport through the mortuary in Baghdad and on to the mortuary in Dover. Unless out on a mission, I am always present when remains are brought back and vehicles are sanitized. It is the most solemn of missions and at the same time potentially the most psychologically demanding that my Soldiers encounter.
One of my recovery teams went out with 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment -- Rangers -- to bring back a destroyed HMMWV and two of their fallen comrades. This mission involved running a gauntlet of improvised explosive devices (IED), rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and small arms fire--there and back--and, thank God, our guys returned unscathed, despite being hit by all three. I was there when we downloaded the severely damaged gun truck, which was missing an armored door after receiving the full blast of an explosively formed projectile (EFP). After untarping the vehicle and beginning the sanitization, I moved to the mortuary affairs collection point where I met those two young Rangers, not in life but in death. The earthly remnants of their bodies were void of the souls and spirits that so recently filled them with life and aspirations, but had now moved onto a better place. After fourteen months of hard fought combat, these two Rangers were only days from going home; each was in his early twenties. I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with my chaplain as he prayed over the bodies of these two fine young men.
No movie can capture the essence of war, not even the beach landing scene in Saving Private Ryan. Rightfully, such true to life experiences should not be seen and felt by anyone. Beyond the sights and sounds of battle, the movies can never bring to the viewer the overwhelming crush to the other senses: touch, taste and smell. My attempts to describe the variety and severity of each sensory input would make this message unreadable. So, I'll spare you those details. Suffice it to say that the most overwhelming sense is that of loss.
Today we held the traditional memorial ceremony for both of them. It was comforting to see photos of them when they were whole, strong, motivated and proud to serve. Unfortunately, what I'll carry with me is the images of my meeting with them at my mortuary as we prepared them for their hero flight home.
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur once said, "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war."
While this is true, the Soldier also prays for his life, the life of his buddy next to him, the loved ones he is serving to protect, and his safe return home where he can peacefully enjoy that blanket of freedom for which he has sacrificed so much. He prays for victory, for strength in battle, for the annihilation of his enemy, and for retribution of fallen comrades. But what separates a Soldier's prayer from any other God-fearing American, is that he puts his prayers into action. Wielding his God-given strength he storms into the cauldron of fire, takes the fight to the enemy, places his life on the line for his buddies, seeks vengeance for his fallen comrades, and annihilates the enemy.
May God continue to bless our Nation with young men like Specialist Durrell Bennett and Private First Class Patrick Miller, young men that not only pray for peace but are willing to answer the prayers of millions of Americans by waging into battle to protect and preserve that blanket of freedom. Sleep gently tonight America, for your brave young men are standing firmly at their post.
God Bless, Sam
SAMUEL L. RUSSELL
LTC, LG
94th BSB Commander
FOB Rustamiyah
From: Russell, Samuel L LTC MIL USA FORSCOM
Sent: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 4:10 pm
Subject: Another Memorial
Family and Friends...
I've been trying to get out another update on the events of the past two months, but we've had a busy couple of weeks -- large spike in insurgent activity. Unfortunately, our brigade lost several Soldiers. Again, my battalion was spared any casualties. I can't bring myself to write about my trivial goings on with the weight of the latest combat operations, and the burden of the associated loss. That will have to wait.
One of the missions my unit performs is recovering heavily damaged vehicles that units are unable to self-recover. We had several over the past week into heavily contested areas. Our follow-on missions after a recovery are to sanitize the damaged or destroyed vehicles, process the human remains and prepare the fallen Soldiers for transport through the mortuary in Baghdad and on to the mortuary in Dover. Unless out on a mission, I am always present when remains are brought back and vehicles are sanitized. It is the most solemn of missions and at the same time potentially the most psychologically demanding that my Soldiers encounter.
One of my recovery teams went out with 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment -- Rangers -- to bring back a destroyed HMMWV and two of their fallen comrades. This mission involved running a gauntlet of improvised explosive devices (IED), rocket propelled grenades (RPG) and small arms fire--there and back--and, thank God, our guys returned unscathed, despite being hit by all three. I was there when we downloaded the severely damaged gun truck, which was missing an armored door after receiving the full blast of an explosively formed projectile (EFP). After untarping the vehicle and beginning the sanitization, I moved to the mortuary affairs collection point where I met those two young Rangers, not in life but in death. The earthly remnants of their bodies were void of the souls and spirits that so recently filled them with life and aspirations, but had now moved onto a better place. After fourteen months of hard fought combat, these two Rangers were only days from going home; each was in his early twenties. I stood shoulder-to-shoulder with my chaplain as he prayed over the bodies of these two fine young men.
No movie can capture the essence of war, not even the beach landing scene in Saving Private Ryan. Rightfully, such true to life experiences should not be seen and felt by anyone. Beyond the sights and sounds of battle, the movies can never bring to the viewer the overwhelming crush to the other senses: touch, taste and smell. My attempts to describe the variety and severity of each sensory input would make this message unreadable. So, I'll spare you those details. Suffice it to say that the most overwhelming sense is that of loss.
Today we held the traditional memorial ceremony for both of them. It was comforting to see photos of them when they were whole, strong, motivated and proud to serve. Unfortunately, what I'll carry with me is the images of my meeting with them at my mortuary as we prepared them for their hero flight home.
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur once said, "The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war."
While this is true, the Soldier also prays for his life, the life of his buddy next to him, the loved ones he is serving to protect, and his safe return home where he can peacefully enjoy that blanket of freedom for which he has sacrificed so much. He prays for victory, for strength in battle, for the annihilation of his enemy, and for retribution of fallen comrades. But what separates a Soldier's prayer from any other God-fearing American, is that he puts his prayers into action. Wielding his God-given strength he storms into the cauldron of fire, takes the fight to the enemy, places his life on the line for his buddies, seeks vengeance for his fallen comrades, and annihilates the enemy.
May God continue to bless our Nation with young men like Specialist Durrell Bennett and Private First Class Patrick Miller, young men that not only pray for peace but are willing to answer the prayers of millions of Americans by waging into battle to protect and preserve that blanket of freedom. Sleep gently tonight America, for your brave young men are standing firmly at their post.
God Bless, Sam
SAMUEL L. RUSSELL
LTC, LG
94th BSB Commander
FOB Rustamiyah
Posted in these groups: 
Baghdad
Fallen Soldiers
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Battalion Commander
Command Post
Baghdad Fallen Soldiers Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) Battalion Commander Command Post
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 42
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I wish I had them all, but yahoo made some go away. Enjoy my boring stories. Pardon my writing style, as I only had ten minutes at the computer per message, to family and friends.
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10 APR 03-?
18 JAN 04 DAY 283
O.k. So , its has been some days. No problem.
I guess everyone is back into the grand scheme of things . The holidays are over . The lights and decoration have been brought down and packed away. Of course ours here are still up. Everyday i offer about a second of thought at the fact we still have a lighted christmas tree up. Maybe its wishfull thinking. Maybe its the groups feeling untold .That there really is a holiday to come. Its gone and over with. Maybe next year.
My crowd of coworkers is very much comprised of the type A personalitys. I have faith that we will sucumb to heart attacks before old age. A breed of humans who for the most part. Do not understand quiting. Or half ass work. Or even if its half ass by our standard its still accomplished above standard by the rest. Perspective: We fly , and maintain multimillion doller machines. Machines that are complex in comparison to almost all others. Lots of moving parts,surrounding complex electronics. Complex. To try and picture it all in ones head. May cause a migrane. I guess we did not accomplish the holiday. It was lost in missions. Briefings, Rehersals, Maintenance, Reports, Details, and the unending life we are surrounded with here. So the Decorations stay.
A lot has happened since I last wrote. We as a unit here lost a acft. along with its crew and passengers. In addition we had another acft. shot out of the sky. The crew onboard made it hope in time for dinner.
I feel for the family's who have lost there folks. Not a great way to start a new year. As ive said this is not the greatest place to spend your last days. Sorry to here of those who have passed on. Especially being so close to leaving. Its been a hard damn road.
Once again. A memorial was held. Fortunatlly i did not have to attend. My duties placed me somewhere else. Not that I dont hold respect. Its just that even when you dont know those passed. Its a gathering due to a course of negative events. With the loss of personal It held upteammembers. For some, friends. Even if you dont know them. The cerimony evokes some substantial feelings. If you have had the occasion. My words here make a lot of sense. Taps will never sound the same to me again.
For Stetson. We are doing well. Knock on wood. Hell pound on it. We are all still together. Are our acft can still fly(exception to breakdowns). If we are granted the oportunity to all leave here together. Then we have been counted lucky. Then successfull.
As for the second acft shot down . I had the chance to stand next to it last night. For the lack of better words. I am impressed. It held up. Made it through a small mechanical bump. And the organic components continue on.
Looking at one of the two fuel cells(gas tank) There was a hole large enough to fit a bowling ball through. These are self sealing fuel cells. I think its time to write the manufacturer and let them know it didnt work. I am supprised there wasnt a fire.
I end my days in their begining. I start my day in their end. Working nights.
The last few days (months) ive been at it with a rodent. arrogant like no other. I just couldnt find em. I could here him. but not see him. Also i could smell him. Ive never met many that were faul enough to be smelled. Its probably the Iraqi breeding.
Yesterday the bugger found him a spot to knaw on. It was perfect. As I could hear em. But not find the source. Or his location. Eco was perfect.
Well this morning. He slipped. Found his way into my snack box. Thats a NO-GO. Its a dangerous act to mess with another mans property. Especially that which he holds important. So I carfully carried the box to a open and yet confined location. It gives me the edge. I can move faster over a large area. He looses his. The ability of escape by means of structures. So the Hallway. Carefully I lifted each item out of the box. Ahh the panic of a being when its caught. Caught in the sights of its doom. Yep a can of bean dip. One thump. Not too hard. I didnt want to get blood on the snacks. It was the blow of death. Not fast and clean. Slow and confusing. As I lifted him out to be placed on the floor(I thought a quick stomp may be reqd) I noticed as the seconds passed. He was done dealing. Yep no more mid-day runs accross old Joe as hes asleep. Or frantic chewing on the belongings of those five of us that share a room. No more holes in the potato chip bags. This mouse was dead- bang.
Our living space once again free. From a pest. An opening for hire in the rodent employment field. Space to fill. Demands to meet.
I dropped a 6 ton acft jack on one in the hanger. He was in the same throws of oblivion. Stunned by a broom. Slowed down enough to be squared up on. Let the jack fall. Yes they flatten well.
Another found still holding on to life as the trap holds around his neck. taken to a place of space. The hanger floor. to be granted his freedom . just before his end. 2 seconds to run before the boot sent him into the open air. Towards the wall. The sequence end as his broken body fell into the gutter. Done dealing. Snuffed. The knowledge of the end apparent, even in the small brain of such a small creature. Punk rat ate through about 3,000.00 worth of aviators flight gear. Bags helmets vests.
My tip. Forget cheese. Its for the cartoons. Use a small peice of bread, covered in jelly and cocoa powder. Trust me . It works.
The grind coninues. Really bordom has set in around here. Gone are the crazy days of folks keeping themselves entertained. I havent seen the unicycle in some time, or the go cart, or the other things some had to bide time away. I would like to draw that picture sometime. Yes to some degree we all exsist in a circus. Here the acts were getting close to the real thing. Insanity for the sane.
Keep home ready for our return.
Take care, peace. Death to the mouse.
Joe
18 JAN 04 DAY 283
O.k. So , its has been some days. No problem.
I guess everyone is back into the grand scheme of things . The holidays are over . The lights and decoration have been brought down and packed away. Of course ours here are still up. Everyday i offer about a second of thought at the fact we still have a lighted christmas tree up. Maybe its wishfull thinking. Maybe its the groups feeling untold .That there really is a holiday to come. Its gone and over with. Maybe next year.
My crowd of coworkers is very much comprised of the type A personalitys. I have faith that we will sucumb to heart attacks before old age. A breed of humans who for the most part. Do not understand quiting. Or half ass work. Or even if its half ass by our standard its still accomplished above standard by the rest. Perspective: We fly , and maintain multimillion doller machines. Machines that are complex in comparison to almost all others. Lots of moving parts,surrounding complex electronics. Complex. To try and picture it all in ones head. May cause a migrane. I guess we did not accomplish the holiday. It was lost in missions. Briefings, Rehersals, Maintenance, Reports, Details, and the unending life we are surrounded with here. So the Decorations stay.
A lot has happened since I last wrote. We as a unit here lost a acft. along with its crew and passengers. In addition we had another acft. shot out of the sky. The crew onboard made it hope in time for dinner.
I feel for the family's who have lost there folks. Not a great way to start a new year. As ive said this is not the greatest place to spend your last days. Sorry to here of those who have passed on. Especially being so close to leaving. Its been a hard damn road.
Once again. A memorial was held. Fortunatlly i did not have to attend. My duties placed me somewhere else. Not that I dont hold respect. Its just that even when you dont know those passed. Its a gathering due to a course of negative events. With the loss of personal It held upteammembers. For some, friends. Even if you dont know them. The cerimony evokes some substantial feelings. If you have had the occasion. My words here make a lot of sense. Taps will never sound the same to me again.
For Stetson. We are doing well. Knock on wood. Hell pound on it. We are all still together. Are our acft can still fly(exception to breakdowns). If we are granted the oportunity to all leave here together. Then we have been counted lucky. Then successfull.
As for the second acft shot down . I had the chance to stand next to it last night. For the lack of better words. I am impressed. It held up. Made it through a small mechanical bump. And the organic components continue on.
Looking at one of the two fuel cells(gas tank) There was a hole large enough to fit a bowling ball through. These are self sealing fuel cells. I think its time to write the manufacturer and let them know it didnt work. I am supprised there wasnt a fire.
I end my days in their begining. I start my day in their end. Working nights.
The last few days (months) ive been at it with a rodent. arrogant like no other. I just couldnt find em. I could here him. but not see him. Also i could smell him. Ive never met many that were faul enough to be smelled. Its probably the Iraqi breeding.
Yesterday the bugger found him a spot to knaw on. It was perfect. As I could hear em. But not find the source. Or his location. Eco was perfect.
Well this morning. He slipped. Found his way into my snack box. Thats a NO-GO. Its a dangerous act to mess with another mans property. Especially that which he holds important. So I carfully carried the box to a open and yet confined location. It gives me the edge. I can move faster over a large area. He looses his. The ability of escape by means of structures. So the Hallway. Carefully I lifted each item out of the box. Ahh the panic of a being when its caught. Caught in the sights of its doom. Yep a can of bean dip. One thump. Not too hard. I didnt want to get blood on the snacks. It was the blow of death. Not fast and clean. Slow and confusing. As I lifted him out to be placed on the floor(I thought a quick stomp may be reqd) I noticed as the seconds passed. He was done dealing. Yep no more mid-day runs accross old Joe as hes asleep. Or frantic chewing on the belongings of those five of us that share a room. No more holes in the potato chip bags. This mouse was dead- bang.
Our living space once again free. From a pest. An opening for hire in the rodent employment field. Space to fill. Demands to meet.
I dropped a 6 ton acft jack on one in the hanger. He was in the same throws of oblivion. Stunned by a broom. Slowed down enough to be squared up on. Let the jack fall. Yes they flatten well.
Another found still holding on to life as the trap holds around his neck. taken to a place of space. The hanger floor. to be granted his freedom . just before his end. 2 seconds to run before the boot sent him into the open air. Towards the wall. The sequence end as his broken body fell into the gutter. Done dealing. Snuffed. The knowledge of the end apparent, even in the small brain of such a small creature. Punk rat ate through about 3,000.00 worth of aviators flight gear. Bags helmets vests.
My tip. Forget cheese. Its for the cartoons. Use a small peice of bread, covered in jelly and cocoa powder. Trust me . It works.
The grind coninues. Really bordom has set in around here. Gone are the crazy days of folks keeping themselves entertained. I havent seen the unicycle in some time, or the go cart, or the other things some had to bide time away. I would like to draw that picture sometime. Yes to some degree we all exsist in a circus. Here the acts were getting close to the real thing. Insanity for the sane.
Keep home ready for our return.
Take care, peace. Death to the mouse.
Joe
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I think anyone with combat causility experience no mater which war, will have to deal with the demons. The first couple of weeks in Vietnam, I had made buddy with the CO's driver. The supply sergeant and him had went on a PX run to Hue from LZ Sharon. The SOPs for dealing with KIAs was to bag them at the seen to limit the troops from seeing the body(s). The 1SG directed me and another guy to look for his 45. The jeep had hit a mine in the road and blew off the driver's side suspension. The sergeant just had minor wounds. PFC Tripp was killed by the scrapnel from the mine and the jeep. I was feeling under the seat and felt something strange. I pulled out his scalp and the pistol. It smelled like raw bacon. It took me almost 20 years before I could eat it. The smell sicken me and the memory stayed a few days until I had to deal with it again. I witnessed 35 other WIAs during my tour and DEROS with a guilty feeling which is called survior's guilt. I ETS after 39 month and was out for 3 years which I had learned to put my demons behind me. The reentry into the army were the best years of my life due to the Brotherhood and the complete trust of the Chain of Command. Nothing worse than being an old Soldier, you long to be young again and jumping out of perfectly good airplanes.
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Cool. Russell
I had the pleasure to serve in A. Co. 94th BSB from its stand up until picked for recruiting duty in 2007. While I did not get the honor of deploying with them I have great respect for the soldiers I served with there. 1SG Richardson was a mentor to me along with many other outstanding NCOs and officers. I'm very proud of my time there at Ft. Polk and count myself as lucky to have served with such great soldiers.
I had the pleasure to serve in A. Co. 94th BSB from its stand up until picked for recruiting duty in 2007. While I did not get the honor of deploying with them I have great respect for the soldiers I served with there. 1SG Richardson was a mentor to me along with many other outstanding NCOs and officers. I'm very proud of my time there at Ft. Polk and count myself as lucky to have served with such great soldiers.
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COL Sam Russell
SGT Randy White, your old commander and my predecessor, Mike Howitz, is on his final year in the Army, on deployment again in Qatar. I was sad to hear of 4/10 BCT and the 94th inactivate.
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I did not write letters about what I was going through back home to friends and family. I did talk about it with my friends deployed with me. I worked at a mortuary in Kirkuk and Tikrit then deployed to Afghanistan a year ago. After the day was over we would talk about what went on and check to make sure everyone was doing ok. It's never good to hold things in and not everyone can understand or even begin to imagine the things you saw or any of us for that matter. As sad as it is it is also humbling. You as well as many others brought closure to families.
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10 APR 03-?
03 JAN 04 DAY 268
How is Everyone?
Well we survived another. I personally am glad its done and gone. To much to fast for to long.
If everyone has a speedometer on life. I would say the average person goes 55 . When it pegs out at 80. Well here the days right now for me are going about 10. Yet at a time it seemed they were going 150. Being here yet not really having much to do. Seems twice as slow as it really is.
I do however look forward to the rush of getting out of here. Heck I will move at 200 for that.
No big plans. Nothing in stone. I know I will be back 100% by Jun. 75% it will be May. 50% Apr. and about 10% Mar. Anything sooner then Mar is a pipe dream.
I think today is too soon to talk about leaving here.
So I havent heard about anyone getting dui's or worse for the holiday. so it must have gone well. Good news .
I wish I could have spent the new years eve someother place.
Bout the only thing going for us here, was sparkling grape juice, and 15 minutes of illumination rounds over our camp. Courtesy of our Armor Guys , and there Howitzers.
Other then that it was work , live, watch the day go by as usuall. No DUI's this year.
I hope you all make the changes you set out for yourselves. Get through it to the next.
And live it up a little.
As for me. I just hope this place doesnt consume too many of the valuable months of next year. I am tired, all of us here are tired. Its been long . Ready to come home.
Take care of Yourselves, Peace
Joseph
03 JAN 04 DAY 268
How is Everyone?
Well we survived another. I personally am glad its done and gone. To much to fast for to long.
If everyone has a speedometer on life. I would say the average person goes 55 . When it pegs out at 80. Well here the days right now for me are going about 10. Yet at a time it seemed they were going 150. Being here yet not really having much to do. Seems twice as slow as it really is.
I do however look forward to the rush of getting out of here. Heck I will move at 200 for that.
No big plans. Nothing in stone. I know I will be back 100% by Jun. 75% it will be May. 50% Apr. and about 10% Mar. Anything sooner then Mar is a pipe dream.
I think today is too soon to talk about leaving here.
So I havent heard about anyone getting dui's or worse for the holiday. so it must have gone well. Good news .
I wish I could have spent the new years eve someother place.
Bout the only thing going for us here, was sparkling grape juice, and 15 minutes of illumination rounds over our camp. Courtesy of our Armor Guys , and there Howitzers.
Other then that it was work , live, watch the day go by as usuall. No DUI's this year.
I hope you all make the changes you set out for yourselves. Get through it to the next.
And live it up a little.
As for me. I just hope this place doesnt consume too many of the valuable months of next year. I am tired, all of us here are tired. Its been long . Ready to come home.
Take care of Yourselves, Peace
Joseph
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10 APR 03-?
26 DEC 03 Day 260
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays,
For many of you it is still the 25 of Dec as I write this. For I am ten hrs ahead on the clock. 0705 my time. I hope the Christmas day was all you expected it to be, or created it to be. In my mind i can see the warm glow of a fresh cut pine tree decorated , in the corner of a living room. The smell is the best part to me. Nothing like pine. This shifts me to memories of times spent high above home in the mountains.
Equally important times, if not more. Those spent with family or friends around camp fires, telling stories, telling jokes, or just talking till the eyes feel heavy with sleep. Ha yet most cannot sleep the night before Christmas day. Too much excitment.
I guess its all just about important times, good times with friends and family. The better part of what life has to offer us all. I hope you made the most of it. Pay it forward a little.
For me. I want to say thanks to those of you who made a difference here. Your energy has been felt. I recieved the gift i asked for most. Its not one of material. Its that of life.
All my brothers and sisters I came here with. Are still here with me. If we all get to return home, then this was never that bad at all. Just adverse. Ok, Ok, it sucks here. But if we all come home then we sucked it up together. It can never be taken away from us.
Its the hope you all at home give us here. That will get us there. Our holidays here have been made better by those of you back home who care. I have not felt forgotten. Possibly the worst feeling a soldier overseas for the holidays can go through. I havent had to . So my deepest thanks.
Lets ring in 04 . Hope this new year brings greatness.
More about that in a few days. You all take care of eachother, peace
Joseph
26 DEC 03 Day 260
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays,
For many of you it is still the 25 of Dec as I write this. For I am ten hrs ahead on the clock. 0705 my time. I hope the Christmas day was all you expected it to be, or created it to be. In my mind i can see the warm glow of a fresh cut pine tree decorated , in the corner of a living room. The smell is the best part to me. Nothing like pine. This shifts me to memories of times spent high above home in the mountains.
Equally important times, if not more. Those spent with family or friends around camp fires, telling stories, telling jokes, or just talking till the eyes feel heavy with sleep. Ha yet most cannot sleep the night before Christmas day. Too much excitment.
I guess its all just about important times, good times with friends and family. The better part of what life has to offer us all. I hope you made the most of it. Pay it forward a little.
For me. I want to say thanks to those of you who made a difference here. Your energy has been felt. I recieved the gift i asked for most. Its not one of material. Its that of life.
All my brothers and sisters I came here with. Are still here with me. If we all get to return home, then this was never that bad at all. Just adverse. Ok, Ok, it sucks here. But if we all come home then we sucked it up together. It can never be taken away from us.
Its the hope you all at home give us here. That will get us there. Our holidays here have been made better by those of you back home who care. I have not felt forgotten. Possibly the worst feeling a soldier overseas for the holidays can go through. I havent had to . So my deepest thanks.
Lets ring in 04 . Hope this new year brings greatness.
More about that in a few days. You all take care of eachother, peace
Joseph
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