TinyUFB
12-15-2005, 02:14 PM
This is from my close friend serving in Iraq.
....While we are here we often get so busy with what we are doing we sometimes forget very important things. I have seen and helped with sending our people home from here who have been killed doing what we do, but it's the families, and friends that have to live with the aftermath of that persons death more than just the few minutes we spend taking care of their last needs.
A couple of weeks ago I was on a night flight back to my base on a helicopter when we got asked to taxi to the hold short line of the air strip. The mood of the other passengers was almost festive, they were new in country and mostly "loggies"; people who have exclusively office jobs.
The ramp gunner met with a person who drove a van to the back of the still running helicopter and then asked me if I would help him. The festive mood stopped when we loaded the first of four body bags on for the ten minute flight to the processing center.
Reality sometimes hit s hard in places like this, and it's something that takes a long time to "put away".
..... You, our families and friends have the hard job...waiting. The days go fairly fast for us here because there is so much to do. But make no mistake about it, we would rather be there with all of you.
I also think that we have an obligation to fulfill. We have put these people on a path they have never been on before and we need to complete that. Some members of our Congress think we should leave and "cut our looses". There isn't a person who has died here that would want to believe they have died for a cause that was that trivial.
If we believe in anything, it's that we are doing the right thing here to the best of our ability.
The media shows you the dark side of this place, and there are some, I couldn't say there isn't. That seems to be what sells newspapers and ratings. But for the most part the people here just want what everyone else wants...the freedom to live their lives.
You probably hear a lot right now about the elections, and the problems associated with them. I can tell you these people want desparately to change this country, they just don't know how yet and this is their first attempt at it.
You can see it in their eyes, the excitement of the importance of their work is contagious. The people we protect are the poll workers and they know the dangers associated with that. This is not an easy process, ask any person from Florida...and we have been at it for how long? Most of the trouble here is "imported" from countries who grew strong in our reclusive days as a Nation a few years ago.
As Christmas approaches we all realize it is a very important time for all of you, as it is for us. And we will miss spending it with you terribly. We also realize it is a very visible Christian representation of our society, and we are preparing for the Insurgency to use that excuse for media coverage too.
I want you all to know that we hold you as close to our hearts and prayers as you do for us. Without your support and love, life here would be very difficult for us. The people I am sending this to will always support us...of that I have no doubt. What I want you to know is each day you are thought of by us, in our prayers and our gratitude for what you do for us in your hearts. You give us strength and hope. And that is very important to us.
God Bless you,
Mike
....While we are here we often get so busy with what we are doing we sometimes forget very important things. I have seen and helped with sending our people home from here who have been killed doing what we do, but it's the families, and friends that have to live with the aftermath of that persons death more than just the few minutes we spend taking care of their last needs.
A couple of weeks ago I was on a night flight back to my base on a helicopter when we got asked to taxi to the hold short line of the air strip. The mood of the other passengers was almost festive, they were new in country and mostly "loggies"; people who have exclusively office jobs.
The ramp gunner met with a person who drove a van to the back of the still running helicopter and then asked me if I would help him. The festive mood stopped when we loaded the first of four body bags on for the ten minute flight to the processing center.
Reality sometimes hit s hard in places like this, and it's something that takes a long time to "put away".
..... You, our families and friends have the hard job...waiting. The days go fairly fast for us here because there is so much to do. But make no mistake about it, we would rather be there with all of you.
I also think that we have an obligation to fulfill. We have put these people on a path they have never been on before and we need to complete that. Some members of our Congress think we should leave and "cut our looses". There isn't a person who has died here that would want to believe they have died for a cause that was that trivial.
If we believe in anything, it's that we are doing the right thing here to the best of our ability.
The media shows you the dark side of this place, and there are some, I couldn't say there isn't. That seems to be what sells newspapers and ratings. But for the most part the people here just want what everyone else wants...the freedom to live their lives.
You probably hear a lot right now about the elections, and the problems associated with them. I can tell you these people want desparately to change this country, they just don't know how yet and this is their first attempt at it.
You can see it in their eyes, the excitement of the importance of their work is contagious. The people we protect are the poll workers and they know the dangers associated with that. This is not an easy process, ask any person from Florida...and we have been at it for how long? Most of the trouble here is "imported" from countries who grew strong in our reclusive days as a Nation a few years ago.
As Christmas approaches we all realize it is a very important time for all of you, as it is for us. And we will miss spending it with you terribly. We also realize it is a very visible Christian representation of our society, and we are preparing for the Insurgency to use that excuse for media coverage too.
I want you all to know that we hold you as close to our hearts and prayers as you do for us. Without your support and love, life here would be very difficult for us. The people I am sending this to will always support us...of that I have no doubt. What I want you to know is each day you are thought of by us, in our prayers and our gratitude for what you do for us in your hearts. You give us strength and hope. And that is very important to us.
God Bless you,
Mike