I have not been able to figure out if LtCol Smith should be the Battalion
Commander or the Battalion Chaplain. In looking back into the "Dark Ages"
when I served, I guess both skills were required for someone in a position
of authority.
I regret that the picture that was attached was corrupted prior to
forwarding this message. I did view it once, but the next time I tried to
view it, it had changed properties. LtCol Smith's description does it
justice, but with any masterpiece, you have to see it to really appreciate
it.
On another note, have you ever asked why we don't see stories like this in
the National Media or very rarely in the Local Media? This is directly from
one of our brothers in arms that is serving there on the ground. We need to
hear from them through the media and not just through E-mail. Except for a
very few journalists such as Tim Chavez at the Tennessean and Mark Johnson
at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, we almost never hear a positive report on
those who are serving in harm's way on our behalf. Nor do we hear very much
about the atrocities that are perpetrated by the insurgents (terrorists),
almost nothing compared to the excessive coverage that has been given to a
young LCpl in Fallujah, and that was misleading and incomplete.
We need the media to support all of us, and give stories like this a Front
Page or Lead Article status.
MSgt P
Letter From Lt. Col. Mark A. Smith
If you will indulge me a few moments of your time, I feel absolutely
compelled to share some thoughts with you, based on some recent events.
I have expressed with you on many occasions that I am a simple man. To me
"class" is where you go in school and "sophisticated" is drinking a Pabst
Blue Ribbon from a bottle, and while wearing a tie. With that said, and
with the disclaimer that for me "art appreciation" was a required class
before I could be commissioned in the Marine Corps and learn how to kill
things and blow trash up, not a skill; I would like to communicate to you a
recent masterpiece I was subject to.
You see, I like to think of God as an artist. His painting is life, his
subjects are us and his canvas is the earth we live on. Now, under normal
conditions, you see the painting and only identify the biggest shapes and
the brightest colors. However, either when one takes the time to focus, or
when situations of intensity change the prism through which you view the
painting, you start to notice the incredible amount of work that the artist
puts into his creation. You notice subtly of color. You notice various
shapes. You notice fine details. You notice intricate patterns. You
notice connection and blending and contrast and shadow. You find yourself
immersed in the study of the work and inside the mind of the artist, trying
to see and FEEL what he was thinking as he created.
In the attached photo, I would ask you to take the TIME TO FOCUS. In
focusing, I believe you will see what I am talking about! It is a picture
of some of our Marines and Sailors on an operation we run as frequently as
we can that we call "CandyCaps." These are ops where we send the Marines
into an area, solely to distribute candy, toys and hygiene items to the kids
of an identified neighborhood.
Now, as you FOCUS on the photo, please keep in mind the following while
studying the photo. The Marine and Sailor in the photo have seen more than
their fare share of violence! They have seen death. They have seen IEDs
explode on their patrols. They have been engaged in firefights, have seen
their fellow Marines and brothers injured and bleeding, have patched many an
Iraqi who was the victim of insurgent and terrorist violence, and have stood
by my side as we recovered and transported our fallen and honored dead. They
could easily be filled with hate, rage and indifference!
Now, as you FOCUS on the photo, please keep in mind the following while
studying the photo. The woman in the photo has known a life of repression
and poverty. She lives in squalor and draws her water from a wastewater
infested canal. She has been inundated her whole life with a hate of
Americans and everything western. She has probably known countless dozens
who were kidnapped, tortured and murdered in a previously psychotic "nation"
known as Iraq. She could easily be filled with hate, rage and indifference!
Now, I ask you, in the Marine and Sailor, do you see hate, rage and
indifference? I don't! I see compassionate, kind, gentle Warriors who are
showing love of their fellow human beings. I see the best humanity has to
offer in the worst of human conditions. I see what we bring to the
oppressed of the world, HOPE, and it comes in the form of a UNITED STATES
MARINE and one of the UNITED STATES NAVY'S FINEST who serve with them.
Now, I ask you, in the woman, do you see hate, rage and indifference? I
don't. I see JOY! The pure joy that can be the only explanation of a smile
that cuts to your core and says "good servants are at work here." I see
beauty! In a land where just surviving is a challenge and living is a daily
and fantastically hard chore, and where there are few amenities, I see a
woman that is strikingly beautiful. I believe my wife will forgive me, as I
am quite sure she too will see the natural beauty of this woman, that is
enhanced by the quality of her smile that is fueled by the pure joy of being
on the receiving end of something she has rarely, if ever, known: true
unsolicited COMPASSION!
And, the Masterpiece of God's work on this one, as always with the Lord, is:
the child. Look closely, what do you see? I see only two things. One, the
comfort that all children should know: the comfort of being held in their
mother's arms nestled in the warmth of her bosom. Two, the unbridled
curiosity of "who are these Gentle Giants who bring my mother joy?" At her
tender age, the question beckons with no answer, for the mind is not yet
developed. But the question will continue to beckon. And, in God's
masterpiece, and through the work of his hands, the question will stir in
the young girls mind for many years to come. Particularly in her formative
years, the question will beckon, and she will judge manhood against the
answer. And I believe that on this day, and in this way, God has planted
not only the question that will beckon through the years, but the answer
that will echo through the winds, with a hush that comforts the weary and
oppressed. Yes, when the question beckons, who are the Gentle Giants, the
winds will echo in the memory and whisper into the mind..."Marines, Marines,
Marines." This will not square with the diatribe of hate, and the cycle
will be broken.
Yes, God is a Master, life his masterpiece, and your Marines some of his
finest work.
WE ARE WINNING! Stay safe and strong until you are reunited with your loved
one.
LtCol Mark A. Smith
Mark A. Smith, LtCol USMCR
TF 2/24 Commanding Officer, 24 MEU
Mahmudiyah, Iraq
"Mayhem from the Heartland"
or as the terrorists call us
"The Mad Ghosts"
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