A Poem

Not much new news to report. Clashes continue in Ramadi, but I understand that our guys in 2-17 alpha finally had a day of rest. I also happened to know that a small Christmas tree and fun decorations are on the way to Rory's room courtesy of one of his bunkmate's moms. It's nice to think of him being able to enjoy a tree during the holidays. I am glad that all of our guys know that they are loved--even if they are swimming in a sea of cardboard boxes. :)
Today's selection comes from my favorite poet and acquaintance, Rod McKuen.

LOOKING STRAIGHT AHEAD
I will not let a war or warriors
kill my thirst
or appetite for love.
Though I do not travel into battle
with roses in the barrel
of my gun
I still go forward into life
looking straight ahead.
War worries me.
Not because
the generals lie to us.
I worry
that as each day moves
beneath the cloud of autumn
we may be lying to ourselves
enough to kill what truth existed
when we started out.
I worry that
beneath our helmets
our heads are only capable
of hating,
that further down
in our anatomy
we've lost the open space
within each heart set aside
for love.
I will not let this war
or any others
kill my appetite for caring.
I'll try to keep some open spaces
beneath and underneath
my breastplate
for the next tomorrow.
Another in my helmet.
There will always be
room for new ideas
to rattle, bounce and jog along.

- from "Beyond the Boardwalk," 1974, 75, 76

From The Major

Hi All,

This is a note from the 2ID Major that was posted to the BCT site:

19 Nov 04

Family and Friends of 2BCT:

I’m Major Tom Huse, the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division Adjutant, currently with the Brigade in Iraq. First, we’d like to thank the families and friends of the Brigade – for their continued love and support through these unique times. You can be sure that your loved ones are performing superbly in these tough conditions, and the people of Iraq - more specifically – the people of Ramadi – appreciate the sacrifices that are being made on their behalf. I see it every day.

Many of you have expressed concern regarding our Family Readiness Group Web Site, its content, and the information that is posted. Please understand that our Soldiers are fighting each and every day to make Ramadi free. This includes the Private First Class driver of a HMMWV, the Staff Sergeant Squad Leader, the Captain Company Commander, and the Brigade Commander. Our operational tempo has been at a constant state, and as a result, immediate updates to the site are simply not possible.

Additionally, technology here in Iraq isn’t like that in the States, or Korea. Internet access – specifically internet access that allows unhindered web development and web postings – is not consistent. Although we have made remarkable strides in our communications infrastructure here (and it continues to improve), the internet seems to be spotty at best. We simply cannot call up AOL or MSN and ask them to send a technician out to fix it…. or to have them press the ‘reset” button from their home office.

Some of you have also expressed concern over pictures and postings of articles. Hopefully I can clear up some of these issues. We are assigned to the 1st Marine Division while we’re in Iraq. Some of you may not know this – but the history of the 2nd Infantry Division and the USMC runs deep. We continue that historic relationship here in Iraq – we even have elements of the USMC working for our BCT! As a result, and just as the 1st Marine Division has done with the BCT, we have renewed our brotherly bond with our USMC units, and together – we form a lethal fighting force – just as we did in previous wars. Many of the news articles and postings on the web site reflect that bond… we are one team.

Pictures and other postings are updated as often as possible, but given operational considerations, sometimes these are not updated as often as we’d like. We’re in the process of acquiring various unclassified photos and message posted to the web site. As for the individual battalion FRG sites – please understand that they are under more constraints than we are – but they are truly committed to sharing pictures and information.

As we begin our migration of home base operations from Korea to Fort Carson, we’ll post as much information regarding this historic transition as possible – specifically focused on helping our family members in their moves. Right now – there are a lot of unknowns, and we are attempting to resolve many of the family-related concerns as rapidly as possible.

We are committed to ensuring our families are cared for. Our situation is not the norm – we have families throughout the world, and we are dedicated to making our FRG Web Site the conduit for information flow. Although we cannot apply each and every recommendation to the web site, your comments and suggested improvements are always welcome – and considered.

Again, on behalf of our magnificent Soldiers and Marines of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, thank you for your untiring love and support.

Major Tom Huse
2BCT Adjutant

This and That

Some clashes were reported in Ramadi today, but no US casualties were announced. On a lighter note, Rory was online early this morning and I got a short email from him and he checked the site. Don't forget to leave comments for him you guys! He's getting them! :)

Hope everyone had a good hump day.

Julie's in the News!

Hi All,

Rob Brooke's wife, Julie made the news with her projects to collect school suppies. Check it out! Way to go Jules!

Santa Came Early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Friends and Family,

Can you tell I'm excited?! Oh boy, let me tell ya!!! This weekend my mailman delivered the best Christmas present ever: a CD with 134 images from Rory!!! There are some pictures from Korea, Kuwait and Iraq. The majority of these pictures were taken by one of Rory's friends prior to him getting his camera. But he did take some of them, like his bunk etc. There were also four short video clips that show their daily life, though Rory wasn't in them. (I am having a few problems posting them because of how large they are, but should have a solution in the next day or so.)

Anyway, here's a little selection of the best of the best. It is just so nice to see our guy. I really was so excited I didn't know whether to laugh or cry first. So I chose to smile when looking at my favorite soldier. I hope you will too:




You can see the rest of the pictures that Rory sent by clicking here. Once you choose an album select the "slideshow" option and you will be able to scroll through the photos. Be sure to look at both albums. Wooo hoooo! It's a happy day! :)

A Thank You....

Today's entry comes courtesy of Jason, a dear friend of mine that I met at the Missouri Scholar's Academy many moons ago. I thought is was really nice and merited re-posting with his permission:

My wife's a teacher, and she got her kids involved with something called Letters To The Front. It's a contest where people write 100-200 word letters to service members; after the judging, all the letters will be delivered to U.S. military personnel. I wrote one, but I'm gonna miss the deadline. So I'll post it here:

Dear Service Member,

I just want to say thanks for keeping my little boy safe. He’s just turned one year old, and his world is getting bigger and bigger every day. He doesn’t yet know the word “enemy”, nor does he know the words “war”, “pain”, “sacrifice”, or “death.”

But just because he doesn’t yet know these words does not mean they are not real. Indeed, they are real; my little boy already has enemies who seek to inflict pain and death upon him. They declared war on him and all such innocents like him.

Yet he is protected by people he does not know and may never meet—like you. Right now you are sacrificing for him, putting yourself on the line and facing hardships and dangers so he doesn’t have to.

I don’t know who you are, but when it comes time to teach my son the meaning of the words “sacrifice”, “honor”, “courage”, and “hero”, I will be telling him about you.

Thank you for your protection and service and the meaning you pour into the words that will protect my little boy.

Find a veteran and thank them today.