Marine Moms and Dads: From Our Marines IV www.MarineParents.com

Copyright Notice: All text copyright 2003. The content of this section is contributed by parents of our Marines. All text is copyright to the respective contributor as noted. All rights are reserved. No portion may be copied or redistributed without the express written consent of the contributor. To request permission to reprint, please contact the web author by using the appropriate form on the contact page.

July 30, 2003: From Leah, Marine Mom to Ashley from Portland, OR
(HQ BN 1ST MAR DIV) From my Daughter today via e-mail.
"This is my day mama. I get up at 430 in the morning to go to a Battalion formation then we go run for a hour. Then I go take a shower then go to chow at like 700. Then I go into my watch run for a 745 meeting with the platoon. Then I go back to sleep around 830. Then I dont wake up until around 300 to go to watch at 400 then I get off watch at 1200 then I do it all again starting at 430. That's everyday! That is my life right now. It sucks! Oh well. Okay hey.... they are stopping all mail from coming over here the first of August. So don't worry about anything else mama. I probably won't even get the other ones that you sent darnnit. Anyways mama. Thank you so much, I love you tons."
Important Additional Note from web site author, Tracy Della Vecchia:
Please note the mail stoppage that Ashley is referring too (above) is the last few days prior to their retrograde home (homecoming). It is a very short number of days and does not mean there is a mail blackout. The USMC will continue to deliver mail.
July 6, 2003: From Lori, Marine Mom to Travis from Granada Hills, CA
(1st BN, 7th Marines Alpha) I received a phone call from Travis on Sunday. He sounded tired, but ok. He said it is very hot there and no air conditioning. They didn't do much for the 4th (of July holiday), just regular patrols. He asked for surf magazines and a couple more CD's. No word when they are coming home yet. Through this web site I was able to meet another parent whose son is in the same company and platoon. It will be so great to share information. Thank you to everyone who puts so much effort into this site. I pray for all of our sons and daughters. They are performing a very important service and they need all of our prayers at this time.
July 3, 2003: (3/5) From Battalion Commander, LtCol Malay
The Marines and sailors of 3/5 are continuing to perform in an exemplary manner. The single reason that we are operating in a permissive environment is because the 3/5 Team has won the 'hearts & minds' of the Iraqis in our area of operation. Our team can move anywhere in this province and be greeted with cheers and waves...it is almost like being a rock star! Make no mistake there are hardships and significant challenges that the 3/5 Team faces on a daily basis. But we are winning.
We are enjoying some significant improvements to our standard of living; air conditioning that is fairly consistent, better food-chicken, burgers & hotdogs, a small but sufficient PX (thanks to Sgt Maj Vines), coolers with bottled water & ice that allow for a cold drink of water or Gatorade any time of the day. We have embraced the Arab week and instituted 'Friday Routine' - a low or no duty day so every one can sleep in and generally take it easy and re-charge. Movies are being shown at night and we have some satellite TV coming in. The major emphasis on this effort is to ensure everyone is rested and sharp when they go out the gate. I am told that the phones are circulating around for morale calls, e-mails are moving back and forth as well as can be expected with the assets we have.
I want to convey to the families the admiration and empathy I have for you as the 4th of July holiday comes and your serviceman is still answering the call to duty. Truly an American Holiday, we will celebrate here with a good meal, some limited sports activities and plenty of time to lounge around and continue to rest up. But we would all much rather be back home. Please consider this as you enjoy the 4th; If our President had not shown the fortitude to send us to Baghdad and clean out this run amuck bunch of idiots, we would be under a more significant terrorist threat with in our Great Nation. CNN would be warning us over & again about an elevated threat and urging people to be careful or possibly to stay home...The Point is Freedom is Not Free and we still have some issues to sort out here & there in the World. Your service member is doing that and doing it very, very well. I hope that sense of pride assuages some of the loss of him not being there when the fire works light off.
God Bless and watch over all of you. All is well here...
July 3, 2003: (3/5) From Executive Officer, Major Legowski
The men of 3/5 continue to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people by doing great things every day. The security of our city is better than any other in Iraq due to the hard work and sincere concern your men have for helping this country get back on its feet. We are planning our own 4th of July cookout complete with steaks, lobster, and beer (non-alcoholic). We know it won't be as good as the barbeques you'll have for us at home, but we'll do the best we can. As we continue to set the conditions to return home, we ask that you keep us in your prayers, as we will do for you. We remain focused on our mission and look forward to the day we can see all of your smiling faces once again. Hang in there; before you know it we'll be back home wreaking havoc on your lives and homes once again.
Semper Fi,
Major Legowski
July 1, 2003: From Diana, Marine Mom to Timothy from Gamaliel, AR
(1st Marines-Lima 3/5 weapons) My son called. They converted a school for a base to stay in like a fortress. He is doing 10 patrols in the daytime and his men are doing several at night. Most of the Iraqi people are okay with (the Marines being there) but some (are not). They are having trouble sleeping because of gun fire and explosions. The heat is really bad and the sand is terrible. He talked to an officer from one of the other countries who are suppose to send in troops and (found out) his unit will not be relieved before middle or end of August. They have to help get them trained when they get there. He celebrated his 26th birthday in Iraq and last year he was in either Japan or in the mountains of Afghanistan. He was upset about not getting to call home much. He still wants news from home and letters, and anything we can send. Hopes he can call again in 2 weeks.
June 28, 2003: From Barbara, Marine Mom to William from Chandler, AZ
(2/5 Golf) Heard from my son today. He called to say that he was not coming home as expected, but was getting ready to go back in. He had been in Kuwait for the last two weeks. Said it was good to get a shower, hot meals, and clean clothes. His leg (just a flesh wound) was healed. He enjoyed the rest. Mail is slow - takes about 6 weeks to find him. Other than that, things are going well, considering.
June 25, 2003: From Debbie, Marine Mom to Evan from La Habra, CA
(C 1/4) Just wanted to thank the marine mom who sent in the news from her marine in charlie co 1/4 my son is in the same unit god bless our marines and send them home soon my prayers are sent out to our marines may the come home soon with god speed.
June 19, 2003: From Laurel, Marine Mom to Joshua from New Florence, MO.
(1/ 7thHQ, ESB) I have gotten three letters in two days form Joshua, dated from April-June. He sound like he's learning alot about his job/life & loving it. He sounds upbeat & in good spirits. He says, his battallion is scheduled to come home in late June or early July, but he volunteered to stay behind to break down the camps. Bless his little heart! So, he's not exactly sure when he'll be home. He said, his home coming could be August-ish & that's all he could say. He really appreciated the baby wipes & letters, alot! God Bless our Troops & my prayers are with them all!
June 14, 2003: From Madonna, Marine Mom to Joe from Chatham, IL
(3/5 India) I received a phone call on 6/14 from my son who is with the 3/5, India Co. They are still in Diwaniyah and the date of return home has now been moved to August or September, so I will resume the care packages. His latest requests are "Off" bug spray, books, and candy; though letters from home are still first on the list. They are taking little hostile fire (Thank you Lord) and are "bored". Their current mission is to provide law and order and assist the Army when needed. Not much fun for an infantry group, I guess, but much for relief for the mom of a grunt. (This is an awesome website; I just found it--sure wish I had known about it from the start!)
June 14, 2003: From Amy, Marine Sister to Andy from Shelton, WA
(India 3/5) We heard from Andy yesterday. He's in Ad Dawiniyah (sp?) and says he probably won't be home until September, maybe later. He told us to keep sending packages and says he's doing okay, just trying to keep the peace. Any other information on 3/5ers would be helpful, we weren't able to get much info from Andy this time. Thank you!
June 13, 2003: From Susy, Marine Mom to Brett from Greenwood, IN
(Weapons Co. 1/4) I received a phone call this morning from my son Brett who is in the Weapons Co, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. He sounds really good and said that things are pretty quiet where he is, at a power plant somewhere just south of Baghdad. He said it is hot but that things have settled down a lot and they don't hear much gunfire any more. He said that they hope to be replaced by some troops from (_______), maybe in September but no one knows for sure. He has been receiving mail, at least until we stopped sending packages because we thought they were coming home. He wants candy and CD's so those are on the way. He said that he has lost quite a bit of weight (I think about 20 pounds) from his description. As I said, he sounds good, he laughs and jokes and sounds better this time than on the last phone call when he had to tell me he wasn't coming home this week. I wanted to post this for all those with Marines in the 1/4 because information is harder to come by.
June 12, 2003: From Lori, Marine Mom to Travis from Granada Hills, CA
(1st BN, 7th Mar. Alpha Company) I heard from my son Travis last night at 12:00 am. He is doing well but has no idea when he is coming home. He said that the city he is in is very peaceful. There are no problems there. They have been fixing schools and amusement parks, handing out food and salaries. He said he's getting tired of painting! They have a PX truck they can buy things from. I asked him what he wanted us to send him and he said he really wanted mail. We've been sending it, but I guess it's still a little slow. He says he's been running and working out and has gained 10 lbs. He's even played in some of the soccer matches. All in all he sounded really good. We miss him and can't wait to get him home, but we are really proud of him and all of the other Marines who are helping this country get to the point where they can function on their own.
June 6, 2003: From Rhonda, Marine Mom to Rick from Boise, ID
(1st Battalion, 4th Marines.Charlie Company) Hi, I received this email from my sons unit. Thought you would like to post it for any family out there starving for information. Thank you so much for this site.
Subject: GREETINGS FROM BABYLON
6 June 2003
Dear KV's, families, and friends of the Marines and Sailors of 1st Battalion, 4th Marines,
Greetings from the city of Hillah in the Babylon region of Iraq. It's not everyday that one writes or receives an email from the place where many say civilization began. Hillah is commonly referred to as the "heart" of Iraq and when I look at the many palm trees and wide rivers it's easy to see why the community is so proud of their home. The region reminds me a lot of California's landscape, except Babylon has beautiful rivers and a lot less cars. The Euphrates River is the great river which flows through our area and it's one of the rivers which many believe flo the local populace.
Their hard work and dedicated efforts have resulted in creating a good rapport with the local community, and ensuring that this province is the most secure and stable in the Baghdad vicinity. We are actively pursuing quality of life issues for the battalion during their limited off duty time. Some initiatives in place include showers erected with SeaBee and Combat Service Support assistance; two hot meals a day; limited email and morale phone calls. Some other assets in place include a small fitness center with weights, two Bowflex machines, a stationary bicycle, as well as a TV room with DVD player and satellite television capability. We have also coordinated for occasional MCX and disbursing visits, arranged to have local vendors available to provide drinks, souvenirs and artwork, as well as providing tours to visit the ruins of Babylon.
While we are all lookiilors of the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines, thank you for your continued dedication and support on the home front. Your unwavering support to each other and our families has helped us accomplish our mission with a "happy heart" knowing our loved ones have a strong support network to draw on.
Sincerely,
LtCol John Mayer
May 1, 2003: From Lori, Marine Mom to Justin from Phoenix, AZ
(2nd BN, 5th MAR) Hey Dad, Happy Birthday for tomorrow. I've been doing deadlifts, squats, and pushing my humvee to keep my legs cut and strong. One day, I did three sets of squats, 3 sets of deadlifts, and pushed a humvee 200 meters with four people. We're trying to work up to a mile running with the humvee. Our goals are to break 12 min for a mile with four people. We've also made a basketball hoop out of a plastic milk crate and nailed it to a building. I miss you alot. I'll try to call you tonite. Well gotta go. I love you. Justin