These are awesome pictures from one of our soldiers Sgt Benjamin Perry in Iraq.

Enjoy,

Julieann

04	Beginning of sand storm. 05	Blackhawk Gunner 06
Blackhawk 07	Cooling down 08	Danger Mission 027 Sgt. Ciubucciu 09
Dinner with Iraq Officials 10	Down Town 12	Down Town 13
Down Town  14	Down Town 15	16
17	18	19
20	21	22
23	24	25
26	27	28
29	30	31
Gassed City 32	Getting ready to hit the streets. 33	Heat 34
Helo 35	Helping the kids. 36	Helping the kids. 37
Helping the kids. 38	Helping the kids. 39	Helping the kids. 40
Helping the kids. 41	No Picture	No Picture

This is from a Capt. That was sent to us from Mary in D.C. And everyone of his men was "adopted' and he sent this e-mail, its very touching and good 

Julieann,
 
I wanted to thank you for the continued support you send to my unit.

I am often asked by people back in the states why we do what we do. They ask me about being away from home, or the lack of comforts, or the mission usually couched with “I don’t know how (or why) you all do it.” I usually write back and tell them about the conditions here in  Iraq, or tell them of the oppression I have seen or of the children’s faces filled with happiness and hope, or the trash and sewer in the streets. I tell them that we are winning this fight (because I truly believe we are!) and regardless of why people think we were sent here… we are here now and we are here to find terrorist and defeat them and we are here to leave Iraq better than when we found it. Nothing else matters to us now.

I want to share a story with you. This weekend I was sitting talking to one of my troopers about re-enlisting. He is a positive kid, 4 years in the Army, motivated to his task, dedicated to those around him. I expected he would re-enlist and would require little convincing. As we were talking about his options and his motivation to soldier he said “Sir, I am staying in the Army and I will be happy continuing to do what I do. But I am not motivated by the words you say, or the money in the bonus, of for my buddies, or by the feeling I have being a Paratrooper. I do it for my kids and my wife and what my job means to them and their future.”

He then handed me a tattered copy of the poem below. He said when he was here for the invasion he was a brand new private and it was sent to him in a forward e-mail or something. He has have it ever since and have never shown it to anybody but his wife. As I read it, it hit me like a bag of bricks. I thought I would share it with you. I have typed it exactly as it was on the copy he gave me and I have given credit to the author so I believe you would be free to share this story and poem with anyone you like.

I thank God everyday for giving me the opportunity to lead America’s Sons and Daughters and I pray I am doing it right. May God continue to bless the American Soldier!

All the Way... And then some!

CPT Jonathan L. Harvey

CDR, HHC/2BCT, 82d ABN DIV

------------------- 

The things that make a Soldier great and send him out to die, To face the flaming cannon’s mouth, nor ever question why, Are lilacs by the little porch, the row of tulips red, The peonies and pansies, too, the old petunia bed, The grass plot where his children play, the roses on the wall: Tis these that make a Soldier great. He’s fighting for them all.   Tis not the pomp and pride of kings that make a Soldier brave; Tis not allegiance to the flag that over him may wave; For Soldiers never fight so well on land or on the foam As when behind the cause they see the little place called home.   Endanger but that humble street whereon his children run – 
You make a Soldier of the main who never bore a gun.   What is it through the battle smoke that valiant Soldiers sees?   The little garden far away, the budding apple trees.   The little patch of ground back there, the children at the play, Perhaps a tiny mound behind the simple church of gray.   The golden thread of courage isn’t linked to castle dome, But to the spot, where’er it be – the humble spot called home.   And now the lilacs bud again and all is lovely there, And homesick Soldiers far away know spring is in the air; The tulips come to bloom again, the grass once more is green,  And every man can see the spot where all his joys have been.
He sees his children smile at him, he hears the bugle call, And only death can stop him now – he’s fighting for them all.

Edgar A. Guest, Ca. 1940

Thank You America

Wednesday - December 26, 2007......

*******************************************************************************************

Some time ago, I ran into an old high school friend who asked me if I was still in the Army.    After I said yes, he slowly shook his head and asked me how much longer I had to go before I could get out.    I am sure that in his mind it is like I am serving a prison sentence counting the days before my release.    The truth is that I do not want sympathy.    I not only enjoy Army life, I count it a privilege to serve.    I frequently receive heartfelt thanks from people I do not even know for serving in the Armed Forces and I appreciate it.    Cards, letters, emails and even a standing ovation as I traversed through the Dallas airport going home on leave from Iraq recently. However, I have been feeling lately like I should thank the American people for the honor of fighting for and representing the United States of America.

In the early summer of 2007, an IED detonated on the main street of a neighborhood in our area.    A very small food store was the only thing open in the empty streets so I went inside to see if the owner was all right and if perhaps he had seen anything.   The owner appeared utterly hopeless and almost in tears as he stood next to his wife. He did not know anything.    Months later, the effects of the Surge and our counterinsurgency strategy had taken hold.    The streets were full of people and that same owner had used a micro-grant to fix up and expand his once lonely store.    His grandkids were at his feet as I introduced him to a reporter accompanying me on a walk through the revitalized neighborhood.    I had never heard him speak English but this day he looked at me and said, "I tell you , Sir, I love you with all of my heart!"

Right outside of our outpost in southern Baghdad is a dirt poor family of seven, with children ranging in age from 18 months to 11 years.    Americans from all walks of life sent us toys and other small items to share with the Iraqi people over the holidays. We thought this would be the perfect family to share some of them with.   We stopped by and the kids ran to the trucks.    I asked the oldest boy if his parents were home and he said his mom was but that his dad was out picking through the trash.    We later learned that he collected soda cans and sold them to make a living.

The children's mother walked up and was very grateful, and in classic Arab tradition, insisted that we come into her tiny home for tea.    I told her that we could not stay but saw immediately that she was disappointed.    She told me that the soldiers never accepted her invitation.    I promised her I would return the next day and did so the following afternoon.    We arrived to learn that she had been waiting since early in the morning and made her husband stay home so he could be there.    We went inside and sat on the floor but not before she placed blankets under us!

While the mother went to make the tea, her little girl came in and sat down.    We asked her how old she was and she did not know.    She ran to her mother to ask and came back telling us with a big smile that she was six years old.    Her father came in shortly after and was thrilled beyond belief that we were in his home to have tea.    We shared the only two tea glasses they had.    After our visit we took a family photo for them and delivered it framed on Christmas Day.

The experience of war changes people.    For some it is a negative change but most manage to absorb the experience and use it to make themselves stronger.    I have said goodbye to a mortally wounded soldier in the hospital, spoken to grieving family members of our casualties, and tried to comfort soldiers who just lost their best friend in a single violent moment.    I have been under fire, looked insurgents in the eye, and seen corruption up close.    I have also seen people emerge from oppression and live with hope for the first time in years.    I have seen children reach up and grasp the hands of American soldiers just because they trust them.    I have felt the desire to help and then been given the resources to do it.    Finally, I have felt the close knit camaraderie that develops when you serve with a group of people fighting for a cause larger than self.    Yes, this experience has changed me.   I am stronger, more driven, and humbled all at the same time.

Thank you, America.

LTC Jim Crider

42

The pictures are of SSG Paul Phillips, who is in Iraq and calls me "Mom" he is one of the soldiers who had boots that were so bad the sole had "melted' away and ASWL sent him new boots from a private company.   And he loves his new boots.   And not to worry.   I am on it, like white on rice!!!!

Have notified many contacts and they contacted me.   Called the Public Affairs in D.C. And have a complete list of the names of soldiers who asked for boots and their sizes and where they are.   So now I just keep bugging them until they make sure they send them their boots.

Like any big company. "The right hand doesn't always know what the left hand is doing",

Just sent off the next contact letter to the Sergeant Major of the Army and CC'd the President of the United States (and President Bush DOES answer my inquiries and letters).   And if it hadn't been for his inquiry into my sons medical problems after I wrote to him, directly to the General of the base.  My son would still be waiting. 

So "The squeaky wheel gets the grease"

I have given all of the contact people.   2 months to do something.   And one I called back got really "upset" with me that I would question whether it was being done.   And I just waited till he was done "spouting' and then asked ,well is it done, and when will they get them.   Then I called a Lt. Col. Who in turn had a lady call me who was going to get it done right away.   That was 4 days ago and haven't heard. 

So now I bring in the big guns.  The CSM of the Army needs to know the names.&nb; Where they are and what sizes and the lack of urgency of this.

And I KNOW THAT IT IS HARD TO GET SOME OF THESE TO PLACES THAT ARE FURTHER OUT.   so when I was talking to the Lt. Col. I told him I had a suggestion.  Why don't you send over all these retired, fit, eager to help soldiers and have them drive the trucks to the outposts to deliver them?

As I know a lot who would want to go.   As one retired, healthy, fit and in better shape than most 20 year olds.   Told me.   "I am 61 years old.  Had a good life.  So send me. let me do the delivery and if I get hit.   Well, better me than a youngen who has a whole life ahead of them.   And besides I want to do something to help."   when I was in D.C I met a man ,who told me that a lot feel this way and they call themselves the "Gray Ghosts"  I think they are right.   So much could be done by so many who want to, but are hindered by a lousy number!!!!!
   
Hi
Just wanted to say: THANK YOU!!!!!  For the package. It was great, especially the peanut butter and chocolates

SPC Susanna Hans
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julie, and all of our faithful supporters.   Thanks for all the great items in the last care package. The gloves, snack cakes, Deal or no Deal game, coffee, and coffeemaker are greatly appreciated.  the support you have and are giving all of us is greatly appreciated.  I can not thank you enough for all you do. 

Your adopted son,
SSG Paul Phillips
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julieann and the group Thank you so much for the neck warmers.  Not only have we used them, But we've shared them.  there are Ugandan's that stand post here and Do not have the Direct support of their countrymen.  so we share our gifts with them.

Thank you so much again. and may the Lord Bless and prosper you.
 
Sincerely 
SSGT Hernandez

Your thoughts and prayers have brought comfort to us all.  Thank you very much.

Sincerely
2nd Lt.. Eric Perez

Thank you, we work nights and we use all the coffee!!

SSgt/USMC
And Daniel Gray
John Shift
1st Lt Cruz/USMC

46	47
48	No Picture

    
Prayer Wheel for our Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Coastguard, and Airmen..

'Dear Heavenly Father,
 Hold our troops in your loving hands.
  Protect them as they protect us.
 Bless them and their families for the selfless
 acts they perform for us in our time of need.'