Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Posts >> Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
        
(Message started by: Jeepgun on Dec 17^th, 2004, 3:58pm)

Title: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by Jeepgun on Dec 17^th, 2004, 3:58pm

Got this today from a friend of a friend. It was dated Dec. 12

Just wanted to write to you and tell you another story about an experience we had over here.

As you know, I asked for toys for the Iraqi children over here and several people (Americans that support us) sent them over by the box. On each patrol we take through the city, we take as many toys as will fit in our pockets and hand them out as we can. The kids take the toys and run to show them off as if they were worth a million bucks. We are as friendly as we can be to everyone we see, but especially so with the kids. Most of them don't have any idea what is going on and are completely innocent in all of this.

On one such patrol, our lead security vehicle stopped in the middle of the street. This is not normal and is very unsafe, so the following vehicles began to inquire over the radio. The lead vehicle reported a little girl sitting in the road and said she just would not budge. The command vehicle told the lead to simply go around her and to be kind as they did. The street was wide enough to allow this maneuver and so they waved to her as they drove around.

As the vehicles went around her, I soon saw her sitting there and in her arms she was clutching a little bear that we had handed her a few patrols back. Feeling an immediate connection to the girl, I radioed that we were going to stop. The rest of the convoy paused and I got out the make sure she was OK. The little girl looked scared and concerned, but there was a warmth in her eyes toward me. As I knelt down to talk to her, she moved over and pointed to a mine in the road.

Immediately a cordon was set as the Marine convoy assumed a defensive posture around the site. The mine was destroyed in place.

It was the heart of an American that sent that toy. It was the heart of an American that gave that toy to that little girl. It was the heart of an American that protected that convoy from that mine. Sure, she was a little Iraqi girl and she had no knowledge of purple mountain's majesty or fruited plains. It was a heart of acceptance, of tolerance, of peace and grace, even through the inconveniences of conflict that saved that convoy from hitting that mine. Those attributes are what keep Americans' hearts beating. She may have no affiliation at all with the United States, but she knows what it is to be brave and if we can continue to support her and her new government, she will know what it is to be free. Isn't that what Americans are, the free and the brave?

If you sent over a toy or a Marine (US Service member) you took part in this. You are a reason that Iraq has to believe in a better future. Thank you so much for supporting us and for supporting our cause over here.

Semper Fi,
Mark J. Francis
GySgt / USMC "

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by echo on Dec 17^th, 2004, 4:01pm

Thanks for sharing Jeep.

Wonderful.

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by Svenn on Dec 17^th, 2004, 4:03pm

Thanks for sharing Jeep.

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on Dec 17^th, 2004, 4:10pm

Wow!!!

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by cschick on Dec 17^th, 2004, 5:48pm

How incredibly cool is that. The children shall lead us.

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by nani on Dec 17^th, 2004, 6:19pm

Quote:

The children shall lead us.

*sigh* If only we would follow... :( :'(

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by Ruth on Dec 17^th, 2004, 6:25pm

wonderful letter, what a little angel!

Ruth

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by K-9 on Dec 17^th, 2004, 8:23pm

Thanks Jeep. That was a nice read.

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by Bill-G on Dec 17^th, 2004, 9:01pm

I can't add to what Explodingeyeball said so I'll just repeat it

WOW!! ;;D

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by hilbily on Dec 17^th, 2004, 9:08pm

Wow! Thanks for sharing that, Jeep. Shame that when there's good news from Iraq the media doesn't want to report it. Let's keep Sgt. Francis and his fellow soldiers in our prayers.

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by Ree on Dec 17^th, 2004, 9:11pm

Amen... He works through us all... that was an incredible story... thanks Jeep... love ree

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by Charlie on Dec 18^th, 2004, 2:27am

Pretty damn nice Frank.

Very nice indeed.

Charlie

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by fubar on Dec 18^th, 2004, 2:54am

Frank,

I forwarded that story to my good friend, Mr. Steve Wozniak. He runs a mailing list that reaches hundreds of people with jokes and pearls of wisdom (in addition to being one of the most incredible people of our time). He liked it enough to forward it to the whole list. Kinda nice thing, especially since he's pretty much not a Bush or Iraqi War fan.

-Fu

p.s. I did comment that I thought the story was plausible, but seemed contrived. I've not encountered too many jar heads that could write at that level, and you never know where that stuff really comes from. In any case, I thought it was a touching story and well written.

Title: Re: Letter From A Friend In Iraq (Not CH)
Post by becky8 on Dec 18^th, 2004, 7:51am

Loved it Frank, thanks