A Very Special Gift
In April of 2003, I received a letter from then SSgt Adrian Walker, one of
my former students. I didn't comprehend the true significance of that letter
at the time, but in it he described his unit's (3/7) move into Baghdad. He
explained how the AAV he was riding in crossed the Tigris River and then ran
into a minefield. The blast damaged the left track, but the AAV continued to
advance for about 1/4 mile before the track came completely off. His Marines
provided security for the vehicle until it could be towed back to the
Maintainence Collection Point (MCP). They fired on a couple of suspicious
vehicles during the night and engaged in some firefights, but finally were
towed back to MCP. There, they transfered to another vehicle and made their
way back into Baghdad. Eventually, they moved into the Iraqi Olympic
Training facility where they set up camp. That is where they were when they
were informed that Hussein's regime had collapsed.
Upon his return from Iraq, I talked with SSgt Walker. He informed me that he
had a gift for me that was very special. He refused to mail it to me,
insisting that he present it to me in person. Then, he got deployed once
again to Iraq.
Upon his second return, now GySgt Walker got to come home to Oklahoma on
leave. We arranged for him to visit his old high school last week, and it
was there that he presented me with the flag. That Iraqi flag had been flown
over the Olympic facility that the 3/7 occupied when they entered Baghdad.
He gave it to me as a token of his appreciation for having taught him
history and for having inspired him to join the United States Marine Corps.
And this jesture has completely floored this civilian! Thank you, GySgt
Walker, for remembering me in this manner. God Bless you and keep you all
the days of your life!
David Bounds, Little Ax High School, Little Ax, Oklahoma
The rest of the story, the translation:
Allahu Akbar - God is great.
It's the first line of the call to prayer played 5 times a day from
loudspeakers of every mosque,
and it's in Saddam's handwriting.
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To A Great Friend
Sgt Grit,
Here is a photo of myself and SSgt Junjak at the airfield in Camp AL Asad, Iraq taken around late August, early September 2004. I was a Sgt at the time of the photo. Athough I've got many friends in the Marine Corps, no one person, especially a female, has made me laugh as much as she could. She will never really know the impact that she has made in my life. SSgt Junjak; adored by all, loved by her husband and children, a great friend, and forever a hard-charging Marine. Tearfully, she will always be missed. Thank you for your time......
SSGT VICTOR DIAZ
1ST MARDIV G-1
CAMP AL ASAD, IRAQ
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3-11 News from Iraq
30 July 2004
Dear family and friends of 3/11,
Well the month of July has flown by for most of us here, I hope the same is true for all of you waiting patiently and working diligently to take care of all the projects I and every other father, son, and brother in this Battalion have evaded this past five months. Thanks for all you are doing.
If you’re watching the news it is evident that peace didn’t break out all over with the transition of sovereignty. In some ways things haven’t changed much, in others there is great progress. Of course don’t believe everything you see on the news. We continue to work with the Border Police, Iraqi National Guard, and Iraqi Police in our area of operations, providing training, infrastructure support, and equipment to improve their capabilities. They have responded so well that we have been able to modify some of our operations to address other issues. I just came back from Mudaiysis where I spent two days with India Battery. They are doing great work and everyone was motivated.
While I was there the Deputy MEF Commanding General visited and like most of their visitors, was astounded at the high level of morale and performance in such an isolated outpost. It’s simple, great men with great leaders, working, as a team to accomplish any mission and making it look easy. MP Company continues to run the most professional detention facility in the country and meet every other task with characteristic pride. Kilo and Lima Batteries continue to conduct convoy security escorts all over Western Iraq, engaging the enemy when he presents himself and always successfully delivering their convoys. Additionally, when convoy missions have allowed, Kilo Battery has been conducting Civil Military Operations in the small town of Rahaliyah, located on the eastern side of our area of operations. Headquarters has a platoon that conducts convoys, as well as running the Command Post, providing logistics and maintenance support, and communications. This convoy security duty is dangerous and difficult duty and in the last month we have had five Marines wounded or injured in engagements with the enemy. Three of them were returned to duty and all of them will recover. Regardless of the dangers, your Marines and Sailors remain in high spirits and ready for the next mission. We remain thankful that St. Barbara is praying for us and that the Lord continues to bless us with success.
I just returned from a softball game between our Logistics Section and our Headquarters team, it was a bit lopsided with HQ upsetting a spirited Log team. While we stay very busy with all of our missions, softball has become an excellent release for the men. Despite the heat, our Marines and Sailors are exercising when they can, running, playing softball, lifting weights, and practicing Marine Martial Arts. We haven’t had any issues of mass illness often associated with close quarters tent or barracks living. I attribute this to disciplined Marines practicing good hygiene, exercising, eating well, and plenty of fresh air. The Sergeant Major walks through the living spaces daily, reinforcing the importance of clean and orderly spaces. Our Corpsmen and Doctors have done a great job treating the wounded and ill, and taking preventive medicine measures to control insects and maintain hygiene.
We have roofs on all of our tents now and that made a difference the other day when mortars exploded not far from one of our tents. Just as important, those roofs now allow our Marines and Sailors who conduct many missions at night, the opportunity to sleep during the day. The Morale Center continues to be a big hit, despite a couple of nicks from a couple of rockets this month.
Down in Mudaiysis India Battery continues to prosper. We continue to pursue a phone and Internet package for them, and the Hajji Mart continues to provide souvenirs and other small things. We have relocated the platoon from Ar Ar to Mudaiysis. Those Marines were almost nostalgic about leaving the Marine House on the border but it won’t hurt our operations and will improve the Marine’s quality of life. With 3rd Platoon on board, the India team is reunited.
As we approach the end of this deployment, we will be very busy with additional tasks to ensure continuity of operations and planning to reconstitute the Battalion for artillery operations. We cannot afford to take our minds away from our combat operational tasks but we will conduct transition training and reunion briefs prior to returning home. I encourage all of you, who can, to participate in similar reunion briefs for the families that are coordinated by MCCS. Your Marines and Sailors have served magnificently through very stressful combat operations, risking their lives daily. Most of them have been attacked by and have attacked the enemy. Some of them have seen horrific scenes. Similarly, you our courageous families have been under the stress of separation, caring for your families alone, and worrying for your men. I urge you to be patient with your men; I will urge them to patient with you, as you reunite your family. Likewise, I urge you to seek counseling from a health professional, pastor, or priest, if after a few weeks life has not normalized. There is no shame in this; it is the unfortunate result of war that about 1 percent of our service members will experience some form of post combat stress upon completion of combat operations. The good news is that the large majority will recover completely with minimal effort. Don’t let your families or marriages become casualties, work through it together and seek help, the leaders of this Battalion stand ready to assist in getting you that help.
There are rumors flying by now about the training plan and deployment schedule for the future. Upon our return there will be 7 to 10 days of classes and debriefs that we must conduct, the Battalion will change command and then commence thirty days of leave. The following few months will focus on progressive training from individual, section, and battery through battalion level. Most of this training will take place during the working day, but there will be short field operations beginning in December and we are planning for a longer Regimental Firex in the spring. No final decisions have been made on deployments, but be assured that everyone from the Commandant down to the Battalion understand that the Division will need time to rest, reorganize, and reconstitute. We must keep in mind however, that the Global War on Terrorism will continue for years and that sometime in the near future we may be required to deploy again in the defense of freedom. Right now there are no plans for our batteries to deploy until the summer of 2005. Enjoy the time, because the enemy always has a vote.
As I sign off, I want to thank Rhonda McDaniel and all of our Key Volunteers for the wonderful job they have done keeping the lines of communication open and information flowing. We are also thankful for all of our courageous families that have kept the home fires burning, lit candles, and said prayers for our safety and success. I also have to wish my daughter Michaela a Happy Birthday. God Bless you, God bless this great Battalion, and God Bless America,
Semper Fidelis,
T. J. Connally
LtCol of Marines
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