'Stand Behind Us'

Marine Pvt. Noah L. Boye
March 20, 2004

Dear Mom,
Well, I am finally in Iraq.  I've been here for about three days. I can't tell you exactly where I am due to security reasons. I'm fairly close to Baghdad though. It's not too bad here I guess. We about to take over for 82nd Airborn. These guys are so lazy. We drove here in a big convoy from Kuwait. It's only like 360 miles, but it took like 14 hours 'cause we had to make a couple stops or the vehicles would overheat.

We also found some explosives rigged up on the side of the road. Those f---s fight so chickens---. We only took fire once at the rear of the convoy, but they took care of that. When we showed up to the camp we told the Army guys that we took only that one contact and they were amazed 'cause they said contact is constant when they go out. They realized when they saw us show up that it's the way we conduct ourselves out on patrol. They said it's the constant vigilance, alertness and readiness that makes Iraqis not want to engage us. I like it that way. I was kind of hoping they'd try to hit us 'cause they don't attack in very big groups so we would have slaughtered them. It's kind of sick to think that way, but that's what this place does to me knowing that these cowards are killing Americans by hiding explosives in dead animals and trash along the highway.  These aren't just pop-ups you throw on the ground either, these are artillery rounds connected to fuzes ready to blow at the push of a button.  And these things will f--- your world up. But we've been traning the last couple of months just on how to spot them, avoid them, and kill the motherf---ers settin it off. Once these guys try to hit us with one of these everyone's gonna come to that final realization and it's gonna piss us off and we're gonna be relentless and not stop killin' til there's no one left to kill. Especially, if any of our Marines gets hurt bad. That's just a little 411 on the situation. Don't worry too much. I can't die anyway. I'm too good lookin' ...
Love always,
Noah

Army Sgt. Zachary R. Wobler
January 2004 (open letter to U.S. citizens)

My Fellow Americans:
I am a United States Army Ranger. I am twenty-three years old, I look thirty-two and I feel like I am fifty. On a daily basis I put my body through hell, so when needed I can move further, faster, and fight harder for you. I do not choose my battlefields. I do, however, choose my citizenship. I am a patriot. I bleed red, white, and blue, for you. I have a three-year-old daughter. I've missed two-thirds of her life. Everyday I think of my friends that have died, and I fight back tears. I carry a set of dog tags in my pocket, lest I forget. I spend my holiday season staring at a six-inch, fiber optic Christmas tree that my Mother sent me. I pray for forgiveness. I've done things that I'm not proud of, but I'm not ashamed of them either, because I did them for you. I prefer the road less traveled.  I don't do what I do for personal recognition, glory, pity, or money. I do it for you, my fellow Americans. And now I ask one thing of you. Stand behind us. If you choose to degrade my Commander-in-Chief for his decisions, try living in one of the nations of the oppressed.  Our nation is a strong, proud nation capable of defeating any enemy. But to do it, we must all, civilians and soldiers, stand behind each other. Visit Arlington National Cemetery. Those that lie there are my brothers-in-arms, my friends, and OUR fellow Americans.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Linda Ann Tarango-Griess

Hi all! Hope all is going well back in the states. Still busy as ever here. My platoon runs the class 9 (repair parts) warehouse and its a 24 hour operation so we stay busy, the days just fly by.

Today our camp took some small arms fire and a mortar attack.  I guess two convoys were on their way out the gate and two people from one unit were hurt and had to be medevaced out.  The rest were ok.  Our enemy is starting to get more active now that we are moving around more. Lots of explosions in the past week.  Keep praying for us!!!  I heard this made CNN and I wanted to let you know that we are all doing well and no one is hurt.  As a matter of fact the mortar didn't even come close to were we work and live.

For the first time since I have been here, I have no meeting, no issues to deal with and I can actually be in bed by 900pm so I better go get some rest. I am fighting a cold and think I sleep would do me a world of good.  Will write again soon.
Peace and Love
LINDA A TARANGOGRIESS

Army Sgt. 1st Class Donald W. Eacho
Feb. 5, 2005

Hi Aunt Sally!
I got your box today! The cheese was very good, and so was everything else! I thought I better stop and write you out a letter considering that you have already sent a couple and I haven't written in a while. Here is a copy of my latest notes. I am separating them by 'phases' in the action over here.

I don't go into Ramadi like I used to so I haven't gotten any more Marine hats. When I go into Ramadi it is to escort someone else or to conduct some kind of mission. We used to go there all the time, but now we are doing missions in the outlying areas and the "suburbs" of Ramadi.

The elections were very quiet over here. We think that Mooz-Hadine (spell as I say it) was stymied by out combat power. I was able to play a major roll in that I was evolved with the set up and recon of the polling sites. That was pretty cool. Not many came out to vote due to the threat of the bad guys killing innocent civilians.

We would love to have you and yours ride out to NY anytime! We have PLENTY of room but right now we don't know where we will be after this. I am going to Fort Carson, CO but I am not sure for how long. My branch said that I am going to Fort Knox to teach, or I will be on another advisor type of position somewhere. I told them I want to go to Fort Drum again, but I just don't know if it's possible. Fort Drum deploys a lot so there is no telling how long I would be there before I am either back here or in Afghanistan.

Please tell your neighbor we all say 'Hi' to our brother veterans from the great war (WWII).

I have been doing very well here. I have been told (and my head swelled) that I have been considered by most in the chain of command to be the best Platoon Sergeant within my Battalion. I don't know why for sure, but I think it has something to do with my medal.

I always try to do my best and take care of my boys. Honestly, my boys here take care of me too. We are given the most difficult missions on a regular basis due mostly to my Soldiers know what the hell is going on and being VERY good at what they do. You cannot credit me for this, though. Their motivation and dedication is what sets them apart from the infantry in general and other soldiers around them. We are off our base daily to do all kinds of crazy things that make me shiver at night. I have lost another HMMWV [high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle] as a total write-off and yet I have been blessed with NO casualties so far, still! No matter what happens, I am very proud of this and my platoon! ...

Eacho, 38, who lived with his family in Watertown, N.Y., was killed March 4 in Ramadi, along with three other soldiers when an explosive detonated near their patrol.

Army Sgt. Mark A. Maida
Jan. 17, 2005 (to his girlfriend)

Hey honey,
Sorry if my cursive isn't that great anymore. Great!! stationary by the way. I just talked to you earlier today twice actually, once on the internet and once on the phone. I'm listening to NBT on my IPOD while I write this letter. Man they make me want to drink Jack Daniels mmmmm. I'm seriously considering taking a bath in Jack when I get home so get ready. Everyone's spirits seem pretty high which is nice.
It would suck if everyone just walked around with their heads down. We've come so far baby just a little farther to go then I'll be back home with you. I think about that day all the time, I know you do to. I love you so much. I think about all the fun we're going to have. I also think that if we can make it thru this then me and you can make it thru anything. There's a reason I am here. I haven't figured it out yet but I will. If it's just to make others smile then so be it. I have faith everything is going to work out just fine. Me, You, my family, we are so strong it doesn't matter what they throw at us. I love you so much baby and can't wait to wake up to you by my side every morning.
Love you Baby,
Mark

Army Spc. Bradley J. Bergeron
(promoted to Sergeant posthumously)
Dec. 3, 2004 (from a journal entry)

We arrived at camp Victory. This was the camp that everybody talked about. It was supposed to be one of the biggest camps and have a lot to offer the soldiers. After our arrival, we received keys to our rooms. Our living arrangements consisted of trailors that were approximately 50' by 12'. It was divided into three rooms. You accessed each room at the front of the trailor. Each room had 2 beds, 2 big cabinets to put your stuff in, and 2 night stands. We had electricity and window units. It was a pretty decent setup. We stayed there for about a month, then we moved to Camp Cooke. A couple guys and myself stayed a week longer at Victory than the rest of the company. When we went to leave Liberty to go to Cooke, my transmission in the Bradley gave out about two miles outside the camp. That was the best week I've had out here. We didn't have anything to do and nobody to bother us. That was the calm before the storm, because as soon as we got to Camp Cooke we went on a mission and haven't stopped yet. On days when we aren't doing missions we're on QRF (Quick Reaction Force). QRF consists of waiting at your vehicles in case someone outside the camp needs assistance. It lasts 24 hours. If you don't get called out, it's not bad cause you just hang out or go to sleep, but you don't get to go to your room. As far as a day off, that might happen once every week or two. The missions consist of traveling through small villages and farmlands looking for IEDs, weapon caches, or anything that looks suspicious. We also send the dismounts to clear houses if we get intel that a house has people we are looking for or it has weapons and bomb making material in it. So far, our company has been lucky.

Army Capt. Ralph "Jay" Harting III
April 2005 (letter to the "Lady Reaper Tribune," a newsletter at Fort Irwin for wives and family members of deployed soldiers)

Dear Lady and Family Reapers,
I regret to say that on 6 May 2005 my time as the Echo Troop commander will come to an end. I will pass the ceremonial Echo Troop Guidon to CPT Frank, the incoming commander who will no doubt continue to lead our troops to future success. I have had an extraordinary experience and will never forget the people of this great organization.

Please allow me to say thanks to certain people without whom my command in Echo Troop and the success of our FRG would have been impossible: To my wife, Jen, I would have been lost without you. You always listened to my complaints with a tender heart and you always looked for ways to make my job easier despite the rigors of babies, daily life, and the myriad of tasks that I have always been too busy for. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To Joanna Frazier, you truly made the Echo Troop FRG. Thank you for your time, effort and genuine concern for soldiers' families. You are truly an irreplaceable asset to the troop. Thank you. To Mary Provost, thank you for taking such an active interest in Echo Troop. You have helped Jen and Joanna immeasurably. You are a wonderful supporter of the troop and truly care. Thank you.

Finally, as the time winds down on my adventure as the commander of Echo Troop, I would like to say a few words to mark the journey. The soldiers of this troop have never ceased to amaze me. THEY are the reason why America is great. It is not the businessmen or the rich entrepreneurs that make America great but seemingly ordinary soldiers and their families who make extraordinary sacrifices for the good of our country and destitute countries, like Iraq. Soldiers like SPC Webb and SPC Maida, who jumped at the opportunity to deploy and fight with Echo Troop despite cushy non-combat Fort Irwin jobs. Soldiers like 1SG Renteria, SGT Becerril, SGT Nun, SSG Villacorte, SGT Smith, SPC Marroquin, CPL Roblero, SGT Lewis, SSG Lombardy, SPC Jones, SPC Marquez, SGT Myers, SSG Anderson, SSG Bondarenko, SGT Cruzatte, SSG McNickles, SFC Frazier, and SGT Lopez who are all on their second year-long combat tour upholding the ideals of our fore-fathers; those of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I have spent many days analyzing the fact that truly no other country in the world possesses the caliber of people necessary to do the amazing things that our soldiers do as a matter of course. There is no other country that can even come close to doing what our soldiers do. I have now seen that fact first hand working with the inept Polish unit to the south of our Squadron. The world truly relies on and idealizes the great Americans like those who compose Echo Troop, your loved ones.

The soldiers of Echo Troop are truly making a difference on a national scale here in Iraq, just because of the type of Americans they are. Our soldiers are idealistic, steadfast, compassionate, tough and courageous. It has been a humbling experience serving with them. Thank you for allowing me to lead these unsung heroes, your husbands, fathers, sons, or brothers. It has truly been my privilege. This has been the greatest job of my life. A piece of my heart will always be with the soldiers of Echo Troop. I will never forget what I have learned from the Reapers and their families. Thank you all. Fear the Reapers!
Very Respectfully, Capt. Jay Harting

Army 2nd Lt. R. Brian Gienau
Jan. 20, 2005

Hey all,
They messed up on the address, nothing new.  Things change by the minute here.  The only change is to take the name New York out of the address. If you sent something already it may just delay it a bit.For me, life is busy.

Long days but I enjoy it.   We are gearing up our vehicles right now getting them repaired and ready to role.  Tommorrow we start up our training to take over the detention center.  If everything works right I'll be in charge of it for about six weeks then hand it over to someone else while we get ready to move north.   Up north we will be going out hunting for IEDs and destroying them.  Don't worry, I'll be safe.   Its better to be the hunter around here.

Take care
Brian

Army Pfc. Nils G. Thompson
May 5, 2005 (e-mail to friend)

dear jeff im fine the phone just cut off for a moment. since we were at the end of our conversation so i went to see the letter u sent me . so i guess i will call u maybe tomorow or the next day but im fine. i was thinking about saying a motar landed on the phone station but i thought that would be mean. good by jeff.
Nils

Army Spc. Tyler L. Creamean
March 30, 2005 (makeshift Mother's Day card made from a birthday card)

Mom,

How is it going 4 you? Nothing much here, just finally getting a day off for the first time in a long time. *Anywayz* I just wanted to write you and tell you happy mother's Day.  I hope you like this card that I had got you. There wasn't many to choose from. I love you a lot and thanks for everything you have done for me in the past. Well, I'm going to go for now.
I LOVE YOU.

Love, Tyler

Army Sgt. Christopher M. Pusateri
July 3, 2003

Hey Mom,

How is everyone doing? I just finished another Book and I am waiting for the next one in the Trilogy. The Person is only 60 pages into the one I want. Well I have bad news last night a close friends life was taken. There was a explosive device on the side of the road.

When they drove past it, it blew up and a fragment hit him in the back of the head were his helmet didn't cover. it bothers me to think that at any moment that very same thing could happen to me or another close friend. Everyone is upset about the matter as they should be. I do my best to stay strong so That I can help those more affected by this all. The person was from my company but in a different platoon.
I comfort those who need it. I miss you all very much. I am going to try and call you once a week and let you know how I am doing. And if I need anything. I most likely will need Razors (Mach 3) and Shaving cream. But I wrote to Christine to send that to me. It is her responsibility to make sure I have that stuff. I don't mind being here it is just that mail is slow, no time to myself, and phones. Well lack of freedom. I used to complaine a lot out here. But I haven't been complaining as much even though ever one wants to rip my head off for asking a simple question so I know what is going on around me. The[y] yell or get nasty and tell me to not complaine. it gets on the nerves. The only reason I am keeping calm is because I have been reading and listening to music. I got to go out to guard. I'll get back to you [...]

Love your son,
Christopher M Pusateri

Marine Capt. Todd M. Siebert
Feb. 11, 2007 (e-mail to father)

Hi,
Yes I got it.  I am fine.   I don't get off the base camp much.  My CO keeps me here planning the next mission.  The Marines of the battalion are doing well here.  It is a shame that we lost one.   This is the most screwed up place I have been to...  I'll tell you some stories of some real characters when I get home.  Anyway, back to work.   Enjoy your vacation.
Love
Todd