Memorial Day Update From IRAQ

[DocRKS]

Just received in from one of "my boys" from the West Point Class of 2004. This outstanding young 1st LT now with the 4th Infantry Division will be returning Stateside soon for some complicated back surgey to alleviate a condition caused by an IED attack. As you will see from his email - his worry is not for what he is facing - but his concern is leaving his Platoon. God Bless him and all who have served and continue to serve our Nation. This young man has received and distributed cigars sent him by several members of Friends of Habanos.....

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Dear Friends,

Today seems like a fitting day for another update so I’m taking a few minutes to let you all know what’s new out here. Not only is this Memorial Day weekend, today is also two years since the day I graduated West Point and received my commission as our Country's then newest 2LT. That day seems like much longer then just 2 years ago. Plus, I seem to always send out an update after losing one of my classmates and another one was killed a few days ago. 1LT Rob S. was just a little south of here serving with the 10th Mountain Division when he, along with the other occupants of his truck, was killed by an IED. It reminds me of what a small world the Army can be because I was talking to one of my good friends, and another classmate of mine, two days ago and he told me that he had just seen Rob a couple weeks ago when he was out patrolling and he heard gunfire to his south. He led his platoon towards the gunfire and ended up converging on the scene along with three other platoons all led by classmates of ours including Rob. I’m sure his family could use your prayers these days.

In other news, it looks like I won’t be a platoon leader for much longer. My battalion commander and company commander decided that I was not going to decide to take care of my back unless they made the decision for me so they are transfering me to battalion staff for the remainder of my first tour. I still need to decide whether I want to try to tough it out for another few months or just give in and go home for surgery, although the Dr. here is very strongly presenting the case for my returning home to have the surgery in the next 2 weeks. This has got to be one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I loved being a platoon leader too much to ever make the decision to leave my guys but now that isn’t an option so I’m seriously considering it. I’ll be sure to let you all know what I do finally decide.

Our little part of Iraq has been fairly quiet recently. We had a handful of attacks in our little town recently but nothing serious enough to be worth noting. We‘ve continued receiving a constant flow of VIPs and media coming to see what we’ve done with the place. If you’re interested in reading more about our mission you can use google to look up Tarmiyah Iraq and you can find a few articles about my company (A company, 1-66 AR battalion, 1 BCT, 4th Infantry Division). I’ll include the address for one article at the bottom of the page. A couple weeks ago we had about two dozen members of the media fly in to look around and my men and I had to protect/baby-sit them as they tried to run in 24 different directions interviewing locals for 4 hours. Obviously we were more concerned about their safety than they were. We’ve also had a constant flow of generals and other important people coming to visit us. While all of this attention may seem exciting, my men don’t enjoy it as much as you may think. We’re Infantry so we’re a little more interested in closing with and destroying the enemy than we are in looking after media and VIP’s. I keep telling my men that what they have done is being praised as an example for the rest of the country to follow but they still have trouble seeing that they are doing their job when things are as quiet and un-exciting as they have been. Anyway, I think that’s about everything I have to report. I hope things are going well back home and that you all enjoyed the holiday. Take care and God bless.

Respectfully,

1LT Jon T

http://www.kuwaittimes.net/Navariednews.as...rtid=1569205267

[Fatshotbud]

Thanks for sharing Roman :-|

[El Presidente]

That is a bracing e-mail Roman. God bless to all our men in Iraq and Afghanistan. Bring them home safe.

Thankyou for sharing mate.

[jseeds]

Thanks for the update Roman - It helps put this day into perspective.

God bless them on their mission.

[Tampa1257]

Roman,

I had not heard that LT Jon T had been injured. I am truly sorry to hear this, and with all due respect, I hope that he decides to take care of his back and have the operation to fix the wound.

Tampa

[Guest boss hogg]

Best wishes to the Lt for a speedy recovery. Keep him and all our other troops out of harm's way.

I gave a couple of SEALs at a recent dog & pony a 3-pack of HdM Epi 2's, and would love to give out more. A USMC Major friend recently returned and he really appreciated the stogies I sent him while in Ramadi. A little goes a long way to show our appreciation.

Baby wipes seem to be the most appreciated luxury over there.