Musings From Momma Marine

FORT HOOD SOLDIERS on 2nd TRIP TO IRAQ

2009-07-26T22:07:00.000-07:00

We have picked up some more Soldiers to mail to in Iraq. A mom contacted me and told me about her son's battalion that is on their 2nd deployment to Iraq. She mailed to them on the last deployment but this one finds her suffering from fibromyalgia and not able to shop, pack or send very much. Momma Marine offered to help and we have now received the list of names for 115 Soldiers deployed from Ft. Hood. Momma Josephene has spoken with her son in Iraq and told him that Supporting Our Heroes is taking up the slack and she reported back "He told some of the other soldiers that you all were helping me.....Girl, you have my Ft. Hood battalion with smiles on their faces. GOD BLESS YOU FOR HELPING. This is the time when they start missing their families, including my son. Thank you for putting a smile on their faces."

If you would like to send cards, letters or donate something to go in their Support Boxes, PLEASE send them to us or call and we'll come pick them up. We do have Donation Drop Boxes in Borger, Fritch and Stinnett, TX . The locations are listed on the "How You Can Help" tab to the left. We will need more, more, more to be able to cover the Ft. Hood Battalion like they deserve along with the others already on our list. We have also added a few other Marines and Soldiers that have been emailed to us from some of our Hero Supporters.

These are our Sons and Daughters, Moms and Dads, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews, don't hold back, email or call WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT to help fill our weekly SUPPORT BOXES. And don't forget, we are sending to MEN & WOMEN.

GOD BLESS YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR HEROES!

Semper Fi,

Letters from 3/11 India Btry Afghanistan

2009-07-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

I love getting mail and today received TWO letters from 3/11 India Btry in Afghanistan. One from LCPL Thompson and one from LCPL Charles A. Thompson....

Now what is so SPECIAL and FUNNY about this is that, I'm pretty sure, they are from the same Marine.

When I first received names to send to I understood: LCPL Thompson and LCPL Charley. It seems that LCPL Thompson, Charles A. may be getting a good amount of boxes. This is a mystery that I will have to wait to solve because mail is the only communication as of now and the letters I received today are post marked 4 July 2009 which may mean mail is speeding up a bit. We can hope. As it stands, LCPL Thompson and LCPL Charley have more coming to them (him).... I'm guessing they are having a good laugh about this and probably need it as much as I needed one this morning. God is good at things like that. I love HIS sense of humor!

Anyway, the letters from the LCPL(s) are for you, too, because this couldn't happen without YOUR SUPPORT.

Thank you Momma Jodi for the package. It could not have reached me at a better time. You actually sent me the one thing I needed. Envelopes. Not to mention all the other items are going to be a nice alternative to MRE's. If there is anything I can do to help you help those who are deployed please let me know.

Thank-you

LCPL Thompson

Thank you Momma Jodi. It's people like you who are willing to do stuff like this out of the kindness in your heart who make those out here realize we are out here for a reason. There's nothing I need, but if you could find the time to, could you just send a letter like the one I just received from you, one with some motivational words. Thanks again momma Jodi

LCPL Thompson

I'm always impressed by their "non need" of items but their willingness to "HELP" us in what ever way they can.... Amazing! Wonderful! Dare I say, Precious! Yes! I'm a MOM I can say it......

THIS, THANK YOU, is sent to all of you who help with SUPPORTING OUR HEROES with your donations of box goodies, letters, cards, money donations and Prayers! We are able to send to more of our Deployed Men and Women because of your help.

Semper Fi,

Thanks from 2/23 Golf Company, IRAQ

2009-07-17T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hello Friends,

Well, we have officially reached the half way point of our deployment and the Marines here are glad to know it is all downhill from here. Our 4th of July was somewhat uneventful. Those Marines that did not have official duties had a "day off" and we got together to play a game of softball. We all had fun even though we were in the middle of a sand storm. We have been getting sand storms about every other day. Not sure which is better, a sand storm day that is a bit cooler but sand everywhere or a clear day with temperatures blazing.

Many packages continue to arrive and we are so grateful for the support. A few folks that I would like to acknowledge:

- Momma Jodi, Dennis O'Bryant and the folks at "Supporting Our Heroes- Thank you for all the goodies, games and the Beanie Babies. The Farkle game was the first thing to be grabbed by the Marines. As usual the freezer pops did not last long and was very noticeable that the Marines can never get enough of them. Thanks you.

- Peggy Kane- I do remember you seeing us off at our training center a few days before we left. Thank you for your generosity and support. The Marines enjoyed all the snacks, treats and hygiene supplies.

- Laura Kirk, Health to Soldiers and Betty Lou's Inc- once again the treats are very appreciated. The granola bars and the peanut butter balls were devoured by our health nuts, and we have plenty of them here. Thank you!

- James Spliedt and the folks at Agruim U.S. Inc.- Thank you all for your never ending support. It was apparent that the snacks and the jerky were very much appreciated by the Marines by the way they disappeared as soon as the box was opened.

Enclosed are a few pictures of our Marines in action and some of us not in action. We have also updated our website and more pictures can be seen on 2/23 G Co

Thank you all once again,

From the Marines and Sailors of Golf Company 2nd BN 23rd Mar.

Mindful Of Civilians, Pilots In Afghanistan Alter Tactics

2009-07-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

Mindful Of Civilians, Pilots In Afghanistan Alter Tactics

(New York Times, July 14, 2009)

After taking repeated fire from Taliban fighters holed up in a building last week, a group of U.S. Marines in southern Afghanistan called in airstrikes to wipe out the threat. But the Navy F/A-18 fighter pilots who responded worried that bombing the militants could hurt civilians and suggested a different solution to the ground troops. The airmen then roared in low and fast, without firing a shot, in a deafening pass that frightened the militants into silence.

The adjustment reflects orders last month by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, the new U.S. commander in Afghanistan, that sharply limit the use of airstrikes in an effort to reduce the civilian deaths that he and other top officers said were eroding support for the American-led mission.

The following quote is from someone who has been in Afghanistan. He doesn't just sit in his air conditioned office and have his staff run his errands while he spends taxpayer money for his pet projects... This young man doesn't even get "date night" with his wife. He is out there doing his job so we can have fun in ours. THIS YOUNG MAN WAS THERE:

One of the best things about Afghanistan while I was there was the ability to call in airstrikes and attack helicopters and make it as unfair of a fight as possible. Hopefully it doesn't turn into another Iraq where we're fighting with our hands tied! CALL YOUR CONGRESSMEN AND CONGRESSWOMEN AND URGE THEM TO KEEP THE RED TAPE OUT OF WAR!

CALL YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE .... and ask them to SUPPORT OUR HEROES by letting them do the jobs they were trained to do, Defend and Liberate those too weak and oppressed to do so for themselves.

Updates from USMC AR 2/23 G Co. Iraq

2009-07-07T16:04:00.000-07:00

Mamma Jodi,

Been sitting on your letters for a while now and I am finally able to make some time to thank you and all the folks at Supporting Our Heroes for your time and support. Please pass on to Dennis O. for the beanie babies. We appreciate all that you have done for us. It is very surprising how a Marine's attitude can change when they receive a package in the mail. You my dear have brought quite a few smiles to our Marines here. Thank you. The support that we have been receiving from all back home is unbelievable and heartwarming. There is just not enough thank yous to express how much we appreciate your generosity. We did received the freezer pops in one piece, they did not explode thank goodness. These are the treats that disappear once they get cool. The Marines cannot even wait for them to freeze.

So far we have been here over 3 months and our jobs are slowly coming to an end. With the implementation of the US/Iraqi agreement, our involvement in the cities is winding down. That is what we have named the "responsible draw down." All we would like to know is if this responsible draw down will advance our timeline of going home?

Our duty here has not been too rough for us. As a company we occupied three different Combat Out-Post "COPs" with the living conditions not too bad. With our draw down, we have closed our COPs and returned to our larger camp. We have dubbed this camp "Camp Cup Cake" since it has all the amenities that we lacked at our COPs and we are seeing the Marines getting a bit spoiled even though they deserve every bit of it.

Now that we have a bit more time on our hands, we are getting ready to start a company softball tournament. We have been talking about getting t-shirts made. Enclosed is a logo that was presented. If we are able to find a good local printer to get them done we will be sure to send you one.

Once again Thank you for your support.

From the Marines and Sailors of Golf Company 2nd Battalion 23rd Marines.

1st Sgt Erazmo Ornelas

AFGHANISTAN WAR PHOTOS

2009-07-06T05:32:00.000-07:00

THIS should give you a whole new appreciation of what our DEPLOYED MILITARY TROOPS endure on a daily basis. THIS is one of the reasons we send boxes out to as many as we can. THIS is why I continue to ask for donations ... so we can send out more boxes and reach more of our deployed Men and Women. We can't be there to help carry their pack, to help keep them cool, to hand them a protein bar or a cold bottle of water.... BUT WE CAN CONTINUE TO PACK BOXES AND SEND AS MUCH TO AS MANY AS WE CAN .... We can continue to WRITE.... We can LET THEM KNOW someone is here and we love them, pray for them, appreciate their service to our country and think of them each and every day! Look at these pictures and say a prayer for our Military Men and Women and if you want to help fill the boxes we send or write a letter to put in a box, we will gladly accept your Support.

AFGHANISTAN WAR PHOTOS

Semper Fi

I AM A MARINE'S MOM

2009-07-03T14:25:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to thank you for posting my poem!! As we celebrate Independence Day and we ready for the next deployment, it is as special today as it was the day I wrote it. We have sent more than 500 care packages to local persons that are deployed through the help of our community. They have NEVER let supplies run out! We hold a car show each year to help offset the costs of shipping and as we begin final preparations we are hoping for a fabulous turnout. This year we added mnotorcycles and a 'Round the Lakes Motorcycle Ride. (A little nervous as we've never done this, but hey, we have to add something new each year!) Again, thank you so much for your site and for posting my poem. Rhonda Elliott-Tippecanoe, IN

We posted Rhonda's poem 29 May last year. I proudly post it again today. I AM ALSO A MARINE'S MOM AND I AM A SOLDIER'S MOM ! And her writing stands as strong today as it did last year.. OORAH! RHONDA! From one Military Mom to another ... YOU ARE AWESOME! And I will gladly stand beside you any day of the week professing just this very thing ....

am a Marine's Mom  

I proudly display my son's picture for all to see it is on the counter where I work, it is the most conspicuous on the wall at home.   I am the woman you see in line at the store who has an American Flag pin, a "My Son is a Marine pin", and a red, white & blue ribbon with the blue service star in the middle.   I am the person driving the car that is in front of you with the magnets that say "Support Our Troops", Proud Parent of a Marine, and a blue service star, a yellow ribbon attached to the top of my antenna.   I am the one with the grocery cart full of cereal bars, beef jerky, flavorings and additives for water, Twizzlers, Jolly Ranchers, and Skittles so my son and his fellow Marine brothers can have a little piece of home while in a strange and far away country.   I am the person you see carrying boxes to the Post Office so my son and his fellow Marine brothers know there are people in the states that support them.   I am the one you see with tears in my eyes whenever "The Star Spangled Banner" is played or sung before a ball game.   I am the one that has tears in my eyes when the Pledge of Allegiance to our flag is said.   

When you see my son's picture when you come into my place of business and ask me who it is and where he is, please understand, this is MY SON

Please do not tell me we shouldn't be there. We are. Please do not tell me the latest injury reports, the casualties, bombings and shootings. I know this, it is always in the back of my mind Please do not tell me the war is because of the President. This is my son's boss. I will not speak ill of him for whatever reason Please do not say that's no place to be, my son is there, he's serving our country, he would rather be home safe with his family, but he has a duty.

Please do not say "I'm sorry", I'M NOT, my son volunteered to protect his country. You should say, "You must be very proud of him."  

 Please do not tell me you know how I feel, unless you are a military parent, spouse, child, or fiancée, you have NO clue what I feel.

Please just tell me "Your son is in my prayers."

There can never be enough prayers going up for our military or my son or me.

I am the Mother of a Marine, this is my daily routine:

  Mentally calculating the time difference half way around the world. Accepting that my son is now MY protector Reaching across the ocean with my love, hoping my son feels the extra boost in the dead of night, waking up and saying a prayer for his safety and peace of mind - Never letting my son see the tears in my eyes or hear the catch in my voice whenever he leaves home or ends a phone call. Enduring those moments when I am not as strong as I think I should be. Making it through each day by the grace of God - Opting to work extra hours or volunteer more than I used to trying to keep my mind occupied - Trying to smile even when I haven't heard from my son for days or weeks on end Holding onto the Marine Corps motto of "Semper Fi", hoping I can keep the faith - Every second of every minute of every hour of every day, praying God is with my son and will bring him home to me safely - Rejoicing and shouting so all my coworkers know it is my son who is on the telephone.

  written by Rhonda Elliott - 05/09/08 PROUD Marine Mom LCpl Kristopher Hill USMC-deployed

re-posted by Jodi McClellan 07/03/09 PROUD Mom of LCPL Andrew McClellan USMC & SSG Jeremy McClellan, USArmy -- BOTH DEPLOYED

Semper Fi,

Letter from HMLA-169

2009-07-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

(rec'd 29 June)

03 June, 2009

Momma Jodi and Company,

My name is 1stLt Scott Destafney. I'm a Pilot and Operations Officer with HMLA-169, the "World Famous Vipers." We are currently located in beautiful (sometimes) Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, where we are supporting the Marines doing the majority of the 'grunt' work on the ground.

First off, the entire squadron wishes to thank you for your wonderful care packages and letters! I don't think it's an exaggeration to say that almost every desk and work station in our camp is now home to a Beanie Baby of some sort. It really is incredible how much those little guys serve to lighten up the atmosphere around here! Don't tell anyone, but I now have what appears to be a golden retriever sitting next to my San Francisco Giants hat. . . It's definitely the little things that make this place more pleasant!

...We are HMLA-169, based out of Camp Pendleton, CA. The squadron flies AH-1W and UH-1N Attack/Utility helicopters and our primary mission is to provide armed response should our brothers on the ground get into trouble. It is very gratifying to be able to give those guys assistance, especially since they are the ones really in harms way. Half of us are here in Bastion, while the remaining folks are deployed to Iraq helping out with the troop reduction and stabilization mission...

Anyway, I just wanted to let you and your family/organization know that we are incredibly grateful for your thoughts and generosity! The Marines know that people back home are keeping them in their thoughts and prayers, and people like you mean the world to us. I'll do my best to keep you updated on significant happenings around here, as well as trying to get some pictures sent out. Please pass thanks along to Mr. O'Bryant as well, as his Beanie Babies were a huge hit! Thanks again for everything!

Very Sincerely,

Scott

2009-07-02T06:22:00.000-07:00

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009

Artillery Marines Bring Steel Rain to Helmand

Marines from 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, India Battery fire an M777A2 lightweight howitzer during a field fire at the training ranges near Camp Leatherneck in southern Afghanistan's Helmand province, June 4. 3rd Bn., 11th Marines is an element of Regimental Combat Team 3 whose mission is to conduct counterinsurgency operations in southern Afghanistan with a focus on training and mentoring the Afghan national police. (Courtesy Photo, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force - Afghanistan.)

Dispatches from the Front:

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, June 22, 2009 -- Marines with 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, and elements of 5th Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, arrived in Afghanistan in late April and early May 2009 ready to send a booming message to the enemy.

3rd Bn., 11th Marines out of Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., is the first artillery battalion to be deployed in their primary mission set since Operation Iraqi Freedom I in March 2003. Task organized for the Afghanistan mission, this battalion brings something extra to the fight. They are the first Marine Corps artillery battalion to deploy with a High-Mobility Air Rocket System, M777A2 howitzers, Q-46A counter-battery radars and a light counter-mortar radar system consolidated under a single composite headquarters.

In years past, artillery battalions deployed with only 155mm howitzers and had to rely on other units to provide the breadth of capabilities available to 3rd Bn., 11th Marines today. "The systems are newer, more accurate and effective than we used to use," said Lt. Col. James C. Lewis, 3rd Bn., 11th Marines battalion commander. "We move quicker, and have a much more tailorable capability for the COIN [Counter Insurgency] fight."

Advances in technology such as the HIMARS, a multiple-launch guided rocket system, and laser range finders that make use of global positioning satellites help the artillery men make precision strikes on enemy targets.

"This isn't your granddaddy's artillery," Lewis said.

"What 3rd Bn., 11th Marines brings is indirect fire support for the close and deep fight," said Maj. Waco Lane, operations officer. "Somebody needs help? We'll shoot."

If an infantry unit calls for indirect fire support, there are a few things to be considered before rounds are sent downrange. Is the target near a sensitive or protected landmark, friendly forces or an innocent civilian population? What type of ammunition will accomplish the mission most effectively? How will weather or climatic conditions effect the flight of the round? And how do all these things figure into the mathematical computations that can put a howitzer round within meters of the desired target from up to 18 miles away.

After these calculations are determined, Marines like Lance Cpl. Fredy A. Villalta, 21, and Lance Cpl. Ernest L. Mastel, 22, field cannoneers with Battery N, 5th Bn., 14th Marines, will be ready to bring the steel rain.

"I look forward to getting on those cannons," said Villalta, a Los Angeles native and Van Nuys High School graduate. That's what I signed on and trained for, he explained.

"I can't wait to do what we trained to do," said Mastel, a Los Angeles Woodrow Wilson High School graduate and professional video gamer for G4-TV. Normally, we fill roles outside our occupational specialties such as military police, base security and convoy operations.

Even with technology and motivated Marines, there are still challenges to overcome. Most of those challenges stem from one primary obstacle – distance.

The farther one is away from a location, the more difficult it is to maintain clear communication and provide logistical support. Even facing challenges like these, the leathernecks of 3rd Bn., 11th Marines exhibit confidence in their unit's ability to be successful.

"We have enough assets to accomplish the mission right now," said Lane, a Southeast Missouri State University graduate and Yucca Valley, Calif., native.

We're here to provide close supporting fires and responsive counter fires in support of Regimental Combat Team 3 within the full spectrum of counter insurgency operations, said Lewis, a University of Nebraska graduate and Lincoln, Neb. native.

To ensure the battalion's mission is successful, the Marines at the guns have to be accurate and quick, he explained. A gun team is normally made up of 10 Marines, working in rotation to support 24-hour operations. Each team is responsible for their gun's maintenance, its accuracy and its own perimeter security.

"Accuracy is number one; getting a good gunnery solution. Number two is quickness; procedurally correct," said Lewis. "If we don't do it, we fail."

The non-commissioned officers on the ground ensure the unit achieves success. Whether it is an active duty Marine or a reservist, the Marines say they know what they have to do to have a successful fire mission.

Reserve artillery Marines don't usually have many opportunity to practice their military occupational skill set, due to their infrequent full-scale training evolutions while stateside in addition to being forward deployed to Iraq in recent years as a provisional rifle company, according to Sgt. Alfredo M. Solis, 25, a 5th Bn., 14th Marines, section leader and Santa Barbara, Calif. native. "It's time for us to shine, and the Marine Corps will see that."

(Report by Sgt. Scott Whittington, Regimental Combat Team 3.)

From HMLA-169 Afghanistan

2009-06-19T18:18:00.000-07:00

Living conditions are at a FOB (Forward Operating Base). We live in tents and have electricity. We have the ability to do laundry. Currently eating MRE's. I am representing my squadron of 200 men and 20 women. We are stationed at MCAS Camp Pendleton as our home station. We are a Helicopter Squadron that flies the Supecobra Attack Helicopter and the Huey Utility Helicopter in support of the troops on the ground. Our mission is to provide close air support and escort of casualties that are being evacuated to medical facilities. We are HMLA-169, "the World Famous Vipers", and we throughly appreciate your support.

1stLt Von Rembow

HMLA-169 "The Vipers"

15 June 2009

Coming up on three months into the deployment and the squadron is continuing ongoing support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Recent, as many news outlets have reported, Task Force Leatherneck has arrived and we have fallen under their command. There have been some growing pains but we are bringing the fight to the enemy and ensuring the local nationals feel that, with the help of the USA, their own government forces are establishing a greater presence in the Province.

The Squadron would like to thank all those that have sent packages. The moral boost that getting a book, a letter from the states, or some items for use in the day to day grind in the desert are immense. I hope everyone is enjoying their summer breaks in the states and make sure you shoot off a few extra fireworks for us in July!

1stLt Von Rembow

HMLA-169 "The Vipers"

Pennsylvania National Guard in Tarmiyah, Iraq

2009-05-14T08:07:00.001-07:00

C Co. 1/111 INF 56 SBCT

Stryker Brigade. A National Guard Unit from Pennsylvania landed in Iraq in January 2009, among them is SSG Jeremy McClellan, from Borger, TX, called in from the (IRR) Inactive Ready Reserve while in the process of re-enlisting in the U.S. Army Warrant Officer Program.

Hooah! ARMY!

Semper Fi,

BEANIE BABIES DONATED TO HEROES

2009-05-14T07:35:00.000-07:00

Dennis O'Bryant, manager of the Hutchinson County Airport, is shown with "some" of the Beanie Babies that he and his family donated to Supporting Our Heroes. O'Bryant said his children have been collecting these "Beanies" for years but decided to donate them to the Troops receiving Support Boxes. The "Beanies" will be a very welcome gift to the children of Iraq and Afghanistan. Ground Troops love having candy and small toys to hand the local children. This is one of the best ways to show our help and friendship in the countries our Military are located. Thank you! Dennis! and God Bless you and your family!

Marines working in Afghanistan

2009-04-10T13:56:00.000-07:00

Here is a video link of some work our Marines are doing with the Afghan National Army.

HALF BOY, HALF MAN

2009-02-24T18:13:00.000-08:00

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this picture. . .

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lord, 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. Amen.

Of all the gifts you could give a U.S. Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SEMPER FI our Sons and Daughters, We love you! Our CHAMPIONS! Our WARRIORS! Our HEROES!

Keep Them In Your Prayers

2009-02-11T15:08:00.000-08:00

My Watch Tonight

enjoy the video and music....

and when you see one of our Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Corpsmen, Reservists, tell them THANK YOU! Shake their hand, pay for their dinner or movie or just give them a great big hug! But for sure, KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS!

More from SgtMaj Lewallen

2009-02-09T18:33:00.001-08:00

The SgtMaj also sent his USMC Challenge Coin. These coins are collected by the men and used in oh so many ways..... there are stories connected to each and every one collected and I'd love to hear your story if you'd care to share it. This coin is very special to this Momma and it will be treasured for a long, long time..... Oorah!

Thank you from the 1/3 Marines in Iraq

2009-02-09T17:51:00.001-08:00

Our Marines with 1 Battalion 3rd Marines are getting ready to come home. Their mail is being forwarded to their home duty station and we have sent out our last Support Boxes to them in Iraq. This morning the mail carrier left quite a surprise in our mail box. It was a box FROM Iraq. The SgtMaj sent an American Flag that had been flown over their Camp in Iraq and a Certificate of Authenticity. He also sent a letter of appreciation and an USMC Challenge Coin.

None of this would have been possible without

the help of so many of the wonderful Supporters

who honestly do SUPPORT OUR HEROES! I want you to know how much it means to our

Deployed Troops that you care enough to send your SUPPORT to them through cards, letters, prayers and Boxes..... This letter is for you as much as it is for me:

From: Battalion Sergeant Major

To: Jodi McClellan

Subj: FLAG PRESENTATION

This flag is presented to the Jodi (Momma) McClellan for all your patriotic support to the Marines and Sailors of Task Force 1st Battalion 3D Marines while deployed to Karma, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It means a great deal to the men knowing that great American like you is looking out for their welfare and supporting their efforts with care packages and letters of support. There has been a great deal of sacrifice in this war on terrorism, but we are winning. This would not be possible if we didn't have the relentless support of friends and families back on home front. We get some great support from our fellow Americans, but your level of love and support is extraordinary. We are honored to have you as our Marine Mom.

Thank you for your continued service to our great nation and to the Corps.

R.A. Lewallen

2009-01-27T20:24:00.000-08:00

05 Jan 2009:

To the Friends and Supporters of 3/7,
Once again, I'm guilty of being tardy with my update; hopefully you'll forgive me--we've been extremely engaged with our operations over here.
We were completely blessed with the overwhelming show of affection and care during the holidays; I can't say enough to express our appreciation and gratitude. Our lives here have most definitely been touched by your warmhearted generosity. 1stSgt Elvis Tate has done an outstanding job with getting care packages to the Marines of our unit and will continue to do so. I'll be withdrawing myself as a collection point for other Marines as this duty is currently under good hands.

I've attached a picture of us so you can see how handsome we are :) I'm the fourth in from the left, the most handsome one. Also, after several months of receiving packages, I'd like to relay some of my observations on what items are most needed and used. I've been told that this is very useful information, so I hope it helps:

-Candy: sometimes boxes break and loose pieces of candy will spill out. If you send candy, choose the kind that comes individually wrapped and are contained within a bigger bag. This way, there is less chance of spillage and contamination and a Marine can take a bag with him and pass out individual pieces to his buddies; and since the pieces are individually wrapped, they can be stuffed inside cargo pockets or packs. This is a good time to send chocolates because the weather is cold. Chocolate is not a good item in the summertime.
-Beef jerky: this is a big favorite; all Marines love beef jerky.
-Canned foods (fruits/vegetables/soup): not in demand because we don't carry can openers or Tupperware or all have access to microwaves. If you send fruit, send dried fruits. If you send soup, send the type where the container is heatable.
-Socks: Marines are authorized to wear two types of socks; boot socks and physical training (PT) socks. Boot socks must be black or brown, and need to be longer than the height of the boot top. PT socks should be white and be low-cut around the ankles.
-Hygiene items: this is a tricky one since every Marine has his own preferences of brands and products. My suggestion is to send hygiene items after you've corresponded with a Marine and have learned what he prefers. Now this will be difficult because most Marines are humble and won't ask for anything or admit that they want anything, so you might have to be persistent. What I've noticed is that a higher quality product will get ooh's and ahh's while the more obscure items are usually the last to be plucked from a box.
-Magazines/Movies/CDs: recognizable magazines are picked up and read because they're familiar. The more unique "hometown" publications are not as popular. I've noticed that CDs in general are not very popular because it is hard for Marines to carry discs around and have a device to play the CDs. With DVDs, I suggest sending a movie that is requested versus sending the latest popular release. Or send a rare movie that is not likely to be already floating around.
-Closed-toe shower shoes: we recently received several pairs of rubber shoes designed with holes in them. These are great but the sizes were too small. For footwear, most Marines wear sizes 10-12.
-Protein powder: Marines exercise a lot and consume a lot of protein powder. If protein powder/bars/weight gainers are sent, I suggest finding products that are lactose free for those Marines who are allergic to dairy.
This is all that I can recall at the moment. Feel free to contact me anytime for input on any questions you may have.

I want to thank the following individuals for their continued support and kindness:
Angel E., Kathleen S., Sandy D., Mama Jodi, Mary Jo F., James S., Jennifer C., Rosalie G., Darrell and Carol H., Cindy C., Carolyn B., Boyle, Barbara W., Peggy V., Nancy J., Prayer Angels for the Military, MOMS for the Military, St. Mary Magdalena School, and Cub Scout Pack 362. I apologize if I left anyone out...I'll make it up to you next time! Thanks so much!

Humbly Yours,
Lenny Tran

THANKS! From Task Force 1/3

2009-01-09T05:56:00.000-08:00

I wanted to pass on the sincere appreciation from all the Marines and Sailors of 1^st Battalion 3^rd Marines for all the thoughtful care packages. Many of my men are on their first deployment, let alone first combat deployment, so it can be a difficult adjustment, but with all your support it makes it easier. It is good to know that there are so many caring Americans that continue to support the men and women fighting this war on terrorism.

We only have a little time left now and I ask that is you had plans on sending more care packages, please do so in the next couple of days so it makes it to us prior to getting forwarded back to Hawaii. I recommend no other care packages after the 15^th of this month, even though we will still be over a month out of our departure they will be rerouting mail starting in early Feb.

Thanks again for all the great support, take care

Semper Fidelis!

R/S

Sergeant Major Richard Lewallen

Task Force 1/3

3445-325

HERO SUPPORTERS,

THANK YOU for all your help in sending Support Boxes to this Task Force Unit. Since mail cut off is early February and it takes 1 to 2 weeks for mail to arrive, we'll be sending out this week and all next week to this Unit. If you have anything you'd like to send, please call or email. 806.898.0356 or Jodi@SupportingOurHeroes.com. From what I've heard, the last month of deployment is one of the hardest, so we'll be sending a lot to our guys to try to help them through that mail-less last month.

Semper Fi

From our 2ndLt Lenny Tran

2009-01-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

Hi Momma Jodi!
Sorry for not writing sooner; I just returned back from a mission that kept me out for a little while. As it turns out, after weeks of planning and coordination for the move to our current position, we've just received orders to move right back to where we were originally. Needless to say, not many people in my unit are happy about this. So now we have to pack up everything again and do this all over. My address won't be affected, though.
Oh, I forgot to tell you; it was my birthday last week. It's been so
hectic that I haven't really told anyone--I nearly forgot myself, haha. Believe it or not, it was on Christmas. And Christmas itself was good; we hardly noticed anything different, though. It was pretty much business as usual. New Year's came and went the same way. My fellow Lieutenant friends and I spent a couple of hours commiserating together about what we'd be doing if we weren't over here. We pitied ourselves for a little bit, but realized that we're here because we're needed here. And I realized that I'd probably never get to know you or about your family if I wasn't over here, so I'm actually glad for the deployment.
I have been trying to play Mattie's guitar every chance I get. My buddy snapped a couple photos of me playing it, so I'll send them to you and Mattie when I retrieve them from his camera. I haven't been able to use the vacuum much because of all my missions and because my living space is just a transient one right now. But the next move should be (hopefully) permanent for the rest of the deployment. It's worked out so far though; thanks so much for it!
Once again, thanks so much for everything. You've been so wonderful to me. Let me know what your New Year's resolutions are. Talk to you soon!
Always,
Lenny

Retired Marine LtGen Victor H. Krulak, dies at 95

2009-01-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

From: Jack Linthicum

I have a personal memory of the General, at 5 foot four he was smaller than most Marines and hated the idea of being looked down on. Walking out of the BOQ at Kami Seya I saw our trio of top Marines standing with General Krulak outside the mess, all of our people looking down like he was in a hole. Never heard if he made mention.

By Tony Perry December 31, 2008

Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Victor H. "Brute" Krulak, celebrated for his leadership in World War II, Korea and Vietnam and for his authoritative book on the Marines, "First to Fight," died Monday at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla. He was 95 and had been in declining health for several years.
In a career that spanned three decades Krulak displayed bravery during combat and brilliance as a tactician and organizer of troops. "Brute was very forgiving of young Marines who made mistakes," said retired Col. G.I. Wilson, a combat veteran. "But he was hell on senior officers who preferred careerism and bureaucracy over decisive action. He detested those who lost sight of looking after their enlisted Marines and young officers."

Born in Denver on Jan. 7, 1913, Krulak was a 1934 graduate of the Naval Academy -- where he picked up his nick name, a jest on the fact he was 5 foot 4. As a junior officer he served in Marine actions in Central America, where his views on counterinsurgency were formed.

In World War II, as a lieutenant colonel, he led a battalion in a weeklong battle as a diversionary raid to cover the invasion of Bougainville. Although wounded, he refused to be evacuated. For his bravery he was awarded the Navy Cross. Under heavy fire from the Japanese, the Navy sent patrol boats to evacuate wounded Marines. Krulak befriended one of the young commanders, John F. Kennedy. Decades later the two shared a drink of whiskey in the Oval Office after Kennedy was elected president.

After World War II, Krulak held several key jobs, including commander of the 5th Marine Regiment and later chief of staff for the 1st Marine Division during the war in Korea. Later he served as commander of the Marine boot camp in San Diego and, from 1962 to 1964, as special assistant for counterinsurgency to the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

As commanding general of Fleet Marine Force Pacific he made 54 trips to Vietnam. His ideas about mining Haiphong Harbor and relying on small unit actions in South Vietnam to win the support of the populace clashed with the strategy of Army Gen. William C. Westmoreland, commander of all U.S. troops from 1964 to 1968. He opposed Westmoreland's decision to establish an outpost at Khe Sanh, which resulted in one of the bloodiest sieges of the war.

Krulak had hoped to become Marine Corps commandant, but President Johnson in 1968 nominated Gen. Leonard Chapman Jr. Krulak retired and began a second career as an executive for Copley newspapers and as a columnist. He retired as an executive in 1977 but continued to write. In 1984, his book "First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps" was published, examining the history and culture of the Marine Corps. It remains on the official reading list for Marines and has been said to carry the DNA of the organization that prides itself on being the worst enemy that a foe of the United States can imagine.

"The Marines are an assemblage of warriors, nothing more," Krulak wrote. He called on Marines to maintain a "religious dedication" to being ready to "go and win -- and then come back alive." He disdained Pentagon bureaucracy and, even as he celebrated the Corps' history, he called for Marines to "remain on the cutting edge of the technology that will keep its specialty effective."

Bing West, former assistant secretary of defense in the Reagan administration and author of books on Marines in Vietnam and Iraq, said Krulak "was legendary for the depth of his intelligence."

In a 2007 speech to the Marine Corps Assn., Defense Secretary Robert Gates praised Krulak for "overcoming conventional wisdom and bureaucratic obstacles thrown in one's path." Among other things, Krulak advocated that the Marines form a special forces unit when other Marine leaders opposed the idea.

All three of Krulak's sons served in Vietnam: Charles and William as Marine infantry officers, Victor Jr. as a Navy chaplain. After retiring from the Marines, William followed his brother into the Episcopal clergy. Charles, as a general, served as Marine commandant from 1995 to 1999, and followed in his father's footsteps as an innovator and champion of the enlisted man. Along with his sons, Krulak is survived by four grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Krulak's wife, Amy, died in 2001. Funeral services are set for 2 p.m. Jan. 8 at the chapel at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar.

Is it safe here?

2009-01-02T15:52:00.000-08:00

Sent in by Lisa Turnbull with AmericInn International Lodge and Suites. (Pampa Texas is about 26 miles east of Borger, the hometown of Supporting Our Heroes.)

Well I thought you might get a kick out of what happened to me when I was in Pampa, TX a couple of years ago. I work for AmericInn International, a hotel chain based in the Midwest. One of my jobs is to do sales and marketing for new hotels coming on line and visit the area BEFORE the hotel opens. Since the Pampa hotel wasn’t opened yet, I had to look for a room outside of our chain and one of our company’s policies is that we can NOT stay in hotels that have exterior corridor entrances, meaning you can access the door from the outside of the building and that they don’t have an interior hallway. When I was on line looking to book a hotel room in Pampa for the pre-opening, I didn’t have much of a choice and had to book a room at a hotel that only had exterior entrances. My only other choice at the time was to stay in a hole in the wall hotel or drive 2 hours round trip everyday to Amarillo, which I really didn’t want to do.

So I load up my bags, hopped on a plane from Minneapolis and off to Pampa, TX I go. Pampa is a relatively small town, about an hour outside of Amarillo and the AmericInn, when completed, was the first new hotel there in over 20 years.

Anyway, I drive up to this hotel and hesitantly get out of my car. I am very nervous, which is unusual for me, as I travel 38 weeks out of the year by myself and think of myself as one smart/tough woman (until today). Walking in confidently, shoulders back, chest out, here I go…it can’t be all that bad, can it? Well to my dismay the lobby is PACKED with a bunch of burly looking, hard ass men and I thought I was going to faint, I can’t stay here, I said to myself, I will get strangled, raped, something horrible is going to happen to me, eh gads, I must run! But no, I thought I would just slowly walk up to the front desk and show them that I wasn’t scared (yeah, right), and check things out. So as quietly as I could, I said to the gal behind the front desk, “am I going to be safe staying here”, as I looked back over my shoulder at the group of men. To my horror, she started cracking up and laughing so hard it seemed like forever before she could compose herself. Then she looked at me and said “miss, you couldn’t be safer any where in the world, you see all those guys there, they are secret service agents for VP Dick Cheney who is in town, and you just happen to have 2 of them on either side of your room”, Oh my gosh, did I ever feel like an idiot…so, it goes to show you, don’t always judge people by what they look/dress like, ‘cause you never know who might be staying in the room next door!

Lisa

Our City Girl, Street Smart, Lisa has had quite a "country girl" education with the building of the AmericInn Hotels in Borger and Pampa. The one in Borger was the FIRST AMERICINN built in the entire state of TEXAS! and it is owned by a MARINE! OORAH!

Re: Happy New Year and Thank You!

2009-01-01T17:33:00.000-08:00

I sent notes to the Marines I receive email from wishing them a Happy New Year and telling them how much we all appreciate them and Thanking Them for the job they are doing. Here are two replies I have received. The first one is from our very short and sweet writer, Luis and the second is from our SgtMajor.

Momma Jodi,

Thank you so much for your Christmas present I received today and it was a wonderful surprise. Hope your new years was a great one mine was good no complaints here.

Jodi,

Thank you for your very kind words and thoughts. I have been pretty busy lately, one of our warriors was killed in action a few days before Christmas and we have been busy ensuring that he was properly honored for his sacrifice. Losing one of our brothers is very painful, but his legacy will live on inside all of us. There is a price to bear for freedom, and we are here to bear that burden. We are not alone and we know that, millions of great Americans and a few exceptional Americans like you stand behind us with enormous love and support and for that we are eternally grateful.

I wanted to apologize for not letting you know that I had received some packages from you over the past week or so, I did make sure the care items and goodies got out to the Marines with one exception. That was a very interesting box of chocolates that you sent. That was very thoughtful of you; however, let's not send anymore surprises like that. I almost pushed the box out without checking inside it, which would have made me the greatest SgtMaj ever in the eyes of the boys, and chances are they would have made themselves sick trying to eat enough chocolate to catch a buzz. No big deal, actually pretty humorous.

Thanks for everything, and look forward to hearing from you again,

Semper Fi

Rich

Task Force 1/3

Thank you all for your support in sending boxes to our Heroes. These letters are for you as much as they are for me. May God bless you beyond your wildest imaginations. Have a very wonderful 2009.

Semper Fi,

Happy New Year from IRAQ!

2008-12-31T08:34:00.000-08:00

Some letters and emails are long and full of information. Then some are just straight from the heart and very short. They are all precious to me and mirror my own sons to the 'T'. Just like this one:

Dear Momma Jodi,

How was your Christmas, good I hope mine was not too bad it was better than I thought it was going to be, lol. Oh and a happy new year too incase I don't get to say it in time.

This is from Luis, a Corpsman with the 3/7 H&S in Iraq. No wasted space or fillers. Short and to the point. I love this kid.

Semper Fi,

Musings From Momma Marine

FORT HOOD SOLDIERS on 2nd TRIP TO IRAQ

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Thanks from 2/23 Golf Company, IRAQ

Mindful Of Civilians, Pilots In Afghanistan Alter Tactics

Updates from USMC AR 2/23 G Co. Iraq

AFGHANISTAN WAR PHOTOS

I AM A MARINE'S MOM

Letter from HMLA-169

MONDAY, JUNE 22, 2009

Artillery Marines Bring Steel Rain to Helmand

From HMLA-169 Afghanistan

Pennsylvania National Guard in Tarmiyah, Iraq

BEANIE BABIES DONATED TO HEROES

MORE USMC WORK DAY VIDEO AND MUSIC

Marines working in Afghanistan

HALF BOY, HALF MAN

Keep Them In Your Prayers

More from SgtMaj Lewallen

Thank you from the 1/3 Marines in Iraq

THANKS! From Task Force 1/3

From our 2ndLt Lenny Tran

Retired Marine LtGen Victor H. Krulak, dies at 95

Is it safe here?

Re: Happy New Year and Thank You!

Happy New Year from IRAQ!