Update from Afghanistan

Mrs. McClellan!
Thank you for the great gift package, I loved it!  I split it up with a few Marines that work for me, a great surprise to start one of my days out here.  It seems out here food and sweets are such a big hit; we all devour them as soon as we get them.  If it wasn’t for the heat, I bet we’d all way 20 lbs more than we do right now.  But fortunately the heat and work hours keep us busy and moving.  I had never heard of Borger TX until reading you letter, but I believe I was once moderately close to it.  I went through an Air Force flight school program for 6 months in Enid OK, Vance Air Force Base, about an hour north of Oklahoma City if I remember correctly.  Read More...
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From Major Bourland 24 June 08

I love getting these messages. I know why I am doing what I am doing and I know it is costing a lot to do it, BUT when I read these letters it reinforces the HEART REASON I am doing what I do. And to all of you who are helping with your donations of money and supplies, THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! from the bottom of my heart and THANK YOU EVEN MORE THAN THAT from the MARINES receiving the benefit of your efforts and gifts . . . .
Semper Fi and God Bless,
Jodi 


(via any Marine)  Major Bourland, 2/24 Weaps
 
24 June
 
Gang, first and most important, thank you all for your support. Mail has been hit or miss with air delivery but, hey, some is better than than none.. Don't be discouraged, though, it will get here eventually (like 2 days before we go home.. just kidding)
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Insights and Duststorms in Iraq 

12 June - 2008    (Al Anbar, Iraq)

I'd like to share a piece of an e mail that I recently responded to. One of my good friends asked me why I felt such pride to be a Marine. Below is my response. I think this accurately captures why Marines do what we do here

"You asked me why I enjoy being a Marine so much. Being a Marine is all about taking pride in your job. Marines are an intensely proud and motivated lot. You won't hear too many Marines complain about being in Iraq too long like a few of our sister services do. To give an example, the other day I found out that we had to send a few Marines back early to get everything ready for our return to the states. Read More...
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Hello from Captain Matory, Golf 2/3

This is why I do what I do! God is certainly "Supporting Our Heroes" how on earth could I do any less. This came from Dianne, in Tampa FL.

Date: June 9, 2008 4:52:28 PM CDT
Subject: Hello from Capt Matory, Golf 2/3


Dearest Dianne,

 
I know this message is pretty late considering the wonderful support you and your people have shown Golf 2/3 but we just recently took over an area that had email.  While I always try to impress upon Your Marines that email is a "lazy" form of communication and that writing a letter and mailing it is always preferred when connecting with family and friends back home, I have found that I myself have just got to use email to ensure that folks back home know what is going on.
 
Also, I am not sure if you are aware, but due to our lack of email and internet, I failed to keep up with the Any Marine program so you are actually our sole supporter at this time.  Read More...
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Major Bourland Is On A Roll ... 2/24 checking in

Date: June 6, 2008 7:48:50 PM CDT
Subject: Major Bourland Is On A Roll.. 2/24 checking in 


We have been conducting several operations in the area. Badguys, unm you should find a new profession because your days are numbered, no really you should head for the mountains. Maybe Afghanistan?? They have mountains there. I'll put in a good word for you with a couple hundred of my close Marine buddies there. 
 
Last week there we were on a patrol, following some warm foot prints on the trail, sweat salt in the eyes, body armor pulling at your muscles in your back, thin layer of dirt covering all of your exposed skin and we got a nice calling card from Mr Scumbag. A nice IED that scratched our truck. OK maybe a bit more than scratched but every one was good to go but pissed. Read More...
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3/4 1st Sgt Wells Checking In - June 3rd

Via Any Marine Website:
 
03 June - Friends and family members of Weapons Company,
 
It's been a long week but I find myself once again writing my weekly post. Our Marines have done so much this week that it's hard to decide what to tell you about. I spent the week with one of my platoons that I don't normally see a lot because they are quite a distance from me. These warriors are counted among the most proficient and dedicated in the battalion. When I arrived at their position, I began talking to them about re enlistments. Right now, the moral in our company is very high and we have a lot of young men who want to "stay Marine".


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Updates from 1st Sgt Wells & The 3/4

Date: May 30, 2008 2:34:26 PM CDT
Subject: Updates from 1st Sgt Wells & The 3/4

Greetings to all the friends and family of Weapons Company 3/4. I would like to take a moment to update you on what your Marines have been doing in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  This year, the way in Iraq has proven to be a very different challenge than what we have historically seen.  Now, the fight here has shifted from a high intensity fight to a low intensity campaign. now are Marines are fully engaged in assisting the locals in establishing safe  neighborhoods and restoring infrastructure and building a strong government. By helping our Iraqi neighbors to build strong stable communities, the Marines of Weapons Company are ensuring that the insurgency will not regain a foothold once we leave.
 
One of the missions that Weapons Company routinely carries out is finding and destroying IED's and Read More...
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I Am A Marine Mom

Dear Sgt. Grit,

I wrote this last week, thinking of mother's day and having one of my children in a strange and faraway land. I had a delivery person come in and ask me who was in the picture on my counter, when I said my son, he asked where he was, when I said Iraq, he said (I kid you not), "That's no place to be, that's not good. We shouldn't even be there."
I then said to him, "Well, HE thinks it is and THAT'S what counts." Read More...
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Combat Out Post Hades

Dianne is a Personal Trainer in Tampa, FL who connected me with the Unit of Marines in Iraq that I 'adopted' and am sending the Support Boxes to.... Jodi

For those of you who know what I do for a living, you will understand why I find this so funny :)    I am also attaching a fantastic picture :)  Thanks for your support and for helping me to bring a ray of sunshine to a pretty bleak place! We are doing great things and I couldn't do it without your help  !!  

 
update from Maj. Bourland .. well, sorta

We have cracked the code to all of your unwanted weight gains. Combat Out Post Hades! Aka Club Hades.
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3/4 1st Sgt Wells Checking in

Friends and family of Weapons Company, this has been a great week! Today we received our first round of packages from some of you. The Marines poured through the contents immediately and, I am happy to say that there was not a single item untouched. The boys loved the pictures and notes that some of you included in your boxes. It was like a big adventure for some of them to get to open a box. Some of these Marines haven't received a box from anyone yet and we have been here nearly 3 months. Thank you all so much for your support of these patriots. It is truly an honor to serve with each and every one of them. Read More...
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