Our Commander And Chief Remembers Fallen Heroes From CNN

Letters of the fallen read by president
Solemn events across nation mark Memorial Day
Monday, May 30, 2005 Posted: 8:30 PM EDT From www.cnn.com

ARLINGTON, Virginia (AP) -- Quoting letters of the fallen from the war in Iraq, President Bush vowed Monday to a Memorial Day audience of military families and soldiers in uniform that the nation will honor its dead by striving for peace and democracy, no matter the cost.
"We must honor them by completing the mission for which they gave their lives; by defeating the terrorists," the president told a supportive crowd of several thousand people at Arlington National Cemetery.
Bush's remarks come as the U.S. military supports a massive weekend show of force in Baghdad by Iraqi forces aimed at halting attacks by insurgents. The violence has killed more than 700 people since Iraq's new government was announced April 28. The sweep of Baghdad was answered by counterattacks by insurgents; and south of the city, two suicide bombers blew themselves up in a crowd of police officers, killing up to 30 people and wounding dozens.
The president's tribute at Arlington came in sharply different circumstances from the Memorial Day visit Bush made to the cemetery's Tomb of the Unknowns two years ago, just as the nation's problems stemming from the Iraq war were becoming apparent.
Before his Memorial Day remarks in 2003, Bush had declared major combat operations at an end, the U.S. government confidently predicted that weapons of mass destruction would be found and American generals said troops were in the process of stabilizing Iraq.
At that time, some 160 American soldiers had been killed in Iraq. Today, the total is over 1,650.
On Monday, Bush evoked the memories of American soldiers who have died, reading excerpts from the letters they wrote, in some cases letters that were to be opened only in the event that the soldier didn't make it home.
"My death will mean nothing if you stop now," Louisiana National Guard Sgt. Michael Evans wrote in a letter home. Evans died January 28 while on patrol in western Baghdad, part of a major security operation to protect the first free Iraqi elections in more than 50 years.
"I know it'll be hard, but I gave my life so you could live, not just live, but live free," Evans wrote.
Bush's nine-minute address was punctuated eight times by applause from a crowd of military families, some of whom were accompanied by soldiers in wheelchairs recovering from their wounds.
As he has done since U.S. forces invaded Iraq in March 2003, the president said the war is part of a greater conflict necessitated by the September 11 terrorist attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, toppled the World Trade Center and heavily damaged the Pentagon, which is near the cemetery where Bush spoke.
"Two terrorist regimes are gone forever, freedom is on the march and America is more secure," Bush said of the end of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein's rule in Iraq.
But it was excerpts from the letters that Bush read to the audience that drew tears from some, along with the strongest applause.
"Realize that I died doing something that I truly love for a purpose greater than myself," Marine Capt. Ryan Beaupre of St. Anne, Illinois, wrote to his family. Beaupre was killed when the helicopter he was helping to pilot crashed in Kuwait in the early hours of the war.

Messages from home
E-mail fills need, but letters still specialBy Billy Watkinsbwatkins@clarionledger.com
While soldiers today will receive instant Memorial Day greetings via e-mail, older veterans recall a time when letters were their link to home.

Holiday messages: Vicksburg residents Tracye and Nathan Prewitt have a mission this Memorial Day holiday: They want every soldier in Company A, 150th Engineer Battalion of Carthage to receive either a heartfelt e-mail or snail mail."I hate the thought that some of these soldiers might not get letters from home," Tracye Prewitt, whose nephew Jonathan Prewitt serves with the 150th, said in an e-mail to The Clarion-Ledger.She asks that Mississippians e-mail letters to a soldier or soldiers to her at dogsrule@earthlink.net, and she will pass them on to the unit. Or, she said, mail letters of support to soldiers to her at 352 Marian Lane, Vicksburg, MS 39183."I want to send enough letters so that every soldier in Alpha Co. 150 CEB will get a letter at mail call," Prewitt says. "Just write a short note of support, or have your kids draw a picture of thanks. While we are sitting with our loved ones in air-conditioned safety at home, they are battling insurgents, sandstorms, over 100-degree temps, as well as homesickness on a daily basis!"

When Thomas Landrum was shipped overseas to fight in World War II, his mother had recently died in a house fire and his daddy couldn't grip a pen to write. A stroke left him partially paralyzed."Being that far from home and not being able to care for him ... a certain amount of guilt comes along with that," says Landrum, a Jackson resident who was based in England as part of the 8th Air Force. "And while I was pretty busy with the war, I wanted to know how my dad was progressing, if he was getting any better. I needed that peace of mind."Landrum's aunts and cousins constantly wrote him letters, updating him on his dad's slow recovery. He's able to stand now. ... He walked for the first time today. ... Landrum responded to every letter, and relatives read them to his father.
What he would have given, Landrum says 63 years later, to have had the current luxury of e-mail. "It would've made a huge difference for me," he says. "Sometimes reading letters was like reading history. ... By the time you got them, things had changed."E-mail has become the most popular form of communication for soldiers fighting the war in Iraq. Today, many will be able to exchange Memorial Day greetings almost instantaneously with loved ones back home.
And while e-mail is seen as a precious blessing by lonely soldiers and anxious families, historians are among those hoping the traditional communication style of pen-and-ink won't totally dry up."We have found that letters are the most authentic voices we have about war and what was actually going on at the time — at home and abroad," says Andrew Carroll, author of War Letters and his new book Behind the Lines. "E-mail has its place, certainly. But e-mails can be lost with one crash of a computer file. And soldiers don't tend to keep e-mails the way they do letters."I talked with a (World War II) veteran who said there was no sight in the world like those U.S. Army trucks coming down the hills, carrying those big orange florescent mailbags. He said one letter from home was worth more to him than food, water or sleep."
Photo courtesy of Simon & SchusterHistorians hope e-mail won't completely replace letters written by soldiers on the front lines, which sometimes record the most authentic insights on war. Says David Sansing, professor of history emeritus at the University of Mississippi: "Next to a hug, a hand-written note or letter is the best thing you can give somebody. It says 'You are special enough for me to take the time to write my thoughts and feelings out with my own hands and send it to you.' And people tend to speak more from the heart when they're actually writing."A letter is just so much more personal. It's something that was touched and folded by your loved one's hands. The envelope was licked. There's nothing mechanical or electronic about it."
Kenny Windham, general manager of WMSI-102.9 (MISS 103) in Jackson, saw both sides of the issue while serving seven months in Kuwait with the Army Reserve's 3rd Personnel Command. Part of his unit's duties was to provide mail service for the troops."What I observed was, e-mail was a nice way to have instant communication — if you were fortunate enough to have access to a computer," Windham says. "But nothing — nothing — can replace that hands-on letter the soldier receives."We'd have mail call, and when that clerk handed you a letter that was from someone you cared about and you knew their hands had touched it. ... It's a special feeling.
"And you would always see the excitement of soldiers who received mail and the disappointment of those who didn't. It was written all over their faces."U.S. Army Maj. Alvin Spencer, who grew up in Rolling Fork, is in his fifth month of an 18-month tour of duty in Iraq.
"Some people say they prefer written letters because it's tangible and something they can carry around in their pocket," Spencer says in an e-mail interview. "It's a sentimental thing. For soldiers who have very little access to e-mail, letters are their only connection to loved ones."Spencer, however, works in an office and regularly has access to a computer. "I am a 43-year-old divorcee with an 18-year-old child," he writes. "My personal preference is immediate contact. I have been blessed to speak with my child at least once a day (via e-mail). My e-mail says, 'At this very moment, I am safe and sound.' "Cindy and Gene Moore's son, Tony, of Shuqualak spent a tour of duty in Iraq with the Marines' 101st Airborne. He marched through Baghdad on Easter morning 2003. Tony and his parents communicated almost exclusively through e-mail.
"Tony worked in communications, and he had access to a computer almost daily," Cindy Moore says. "With so much turmoil on the news, every time I turned on the TV, being able to hear something from my son by e-mail within 24 hours — and sometimes within one hour — meant so much and offered so much relief."Windham, who received both e-mails and hand-written notes from family and friends, suggests a balance.
"A lot of people prefer e-mail because they're not sure a letter will ever get to the soldier they're writing," he says. "Let me assure you, that's not the case."Our outfit was sort of like the human resources department for the Army. As our troops went into Iraq, we had units go in right behind them, building mail terminals. We created a ZIP code system for all these small cities throughout Iraq. It gave me a new appreciation for our postal service back home."With 140,000 troops on the ground, we had soldiers scattered everywhere. But it was also our job to keep up with where each soldier was and make sure we got that card or letter to that soldier."
Windham encourages people to write notes and cards to soldiers, even if they don't have a relative or close friend in Iraq."My brother lives in San Diego, and every week I would receive mail from members of his church, church bulletins, copies of the sermon, boxes of cookies and candy and razors. These people had never met me.
"I can't tell you how much that meant to me. And that wouldn't have been possible through e-mail."A lot of Sunday School classes and churches around here have programs like that. It's a nice way to touch a person's life who is a long way from home."Adds Carroll: "Just remember, nothing will ever replace the written word. There's just something about a real letter, especially during war."

Mohammad Update From SFC Kelly... Expect Miracles... Pray Without Ceasing!

May 27, 2005 - UPDATE ON MOHAMMADI wanted to make sure I gave everyone an update on Mohammad. He returned back from Baghdad after having his initial consult. He will return back this Sunday for the results and the schedule for one surgery. I believe that they will do the surgery for the bladder at Baghdad. The problem with doing the other surgery is very complicated. It turns out that Mohammad is a Hermaphrodite. This is a child that is born with both sexual organs not fully developed. They will not be able to do this type of surgery here in Iraq so that he can have a normal life. The doctors here told him that only the United States and Jordan would be able to perform this surgery. I’m sure that you are well aware that if they only make about $200/year here, they won’t be able to afford to fly to America, much less have the surgery. We aren’t back at square one yet since we will probably be able to do the one surgery. I just hope that something miraculous happens so that we can get him back to the U.S. for the other surgery. I’ve heard of hospitals, churches, individuals and all other types of organizations have done something like this before, but it is a lot to ask of anyone to pay for transportation and medical care both. He would have to get a passport and visa from Iraq to go to the U.S. and I’m sure that takes a little bit of time. I know that MAJ Leewood has already sent some of the pictures of him to doctors in the U.S. to see if they could help. We will be able to give more details once he gets back from Baghdad after this trip. I do know that there was a doctor from the states that flew one person from Najaf area back to MN to perform a similar surgery. I just hope and pray that some type of miracle can happen for Mohammad.

Prayer Chain Updated 7/2/05

White & Ween Malone
Jonathan (My nephew aka Glowstick who is serving with Co A 150 CEB)
SFC Kelly
Wayne of Wayne's World Fame
Norris Galatas
Mohammad
Cooter
Aunt Ruth
The Roy Sylvester
Mike & Becky Wynne; Mark & Tammy Tillotson; Marty& Barbara May (our friends who are expecting in November)
The families of the 11 members of the 155 who have lost their lives in Iraq
Gibson Memorial UMC & Congregation(I am so worried about you)
All Of Our Friends And Family Members (you are always ALWAYS in our prayers)
Our mayor, administrators, and staff; our governor, lt governor, state legislators; President Bush, his cabinet and all those in our national government.

An Email From Daddy....

Email From Daron Lunsford To His Daughter .... Warning This will make you cry! It did me! The following is the text of an e-mail message Cpl. Audrey Daron Lunsford sent to his 9-month-old daughter McKalyne on May 14, nine days before he died with three other members of the Mississippi Army National Guard in an explosion in Iraq. This is the last letter Lunsford sent to his family."McKaLyne,Hey lil' mac! Have you been a good girl for mommy? I can imagine that you have, because you're such a good girl. I can't wait to get home and give you big kisses and hug you until you can't stand it.I want you to know, even though your Da-Da is 7,648 miles away, my heart is in your hands.You make me and Mommy so proud of you, but you're growing up to fast. I can't remember anything before you.I'm counting the days until I can be with Mommy and you, but until then, keep Mommy busy and stay that beautiful little angel that I love and cherish.Love from Iraq,Da Da"

Congrats Diamond Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2005 SEC Champions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Way to go DAWGS!!!!

Way to go Ron!!!!!!!!

Way to go Wyn!!!!!!!!!

We are so proud of our DAWGS!!!!!!!!

We got some DAWGS up in here WOOF WOOF!!!!

In Loving Memory .... Lest We Forget!

Homesick by Mercyme

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand timesAnd at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for youBut the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cryIs how long must I wait to be with youI close my eyes and I see your faceIf home's where my heart is then I'm out of placeLord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehowI've never been more homesick than nowHelp me Lord cause I don't understand your waysThe reason why I wonder if I'll ever knowBut, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the sameCause I'm still here so far away from homeI close my eyes and I see your faceIf home's where my heart is then I'm out of placeLord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehowI've never been more homesick than now In Christ, there are no goodbye And in Christ, there is no end So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I haveTo see you againTo see you againAnd I close my eyes and I see your faceIf home's where my heart is then I'm out of placeLord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehowWon't you give me strength to make it through somehowWon't you give me strength to make it through somehowI've never been more homesick than now

The brave soldiers who have given their lives for freedom in all our nations wars

will never be forgotten!

May they rest in peace and may their families find comfort in their memories and in their faith!

And may we strive to live up to the expectations of their ultimate sacrifices not only as a nation but as individuals! And may we never forget what they did for our country!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cool links

http://www.dixiesappers.org/hhc/journal/archive.html Link To Kevin Kellys Journal

http://www.ngms.state.ms.us/1-155inf/ Link To 155 Infantry Homepage

http://www.dixiesappers.org/index.html Link to 150 Homepage

http://www.ngms.state.ms.us/155th/ Link to 155 Homepage

http://www.waynesworld2005.blogspot.com/ Link to Waynes World

http://www.ibbc.net Link to Internet Bulldog Booster Club

http://mstatefans.com/mb/index.php Link To Awesome Bulldog Message Board

http://members.tripod.com/Max_Simpsons/calvin/index.html Link To Calvin & Hobbes

http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Theater/9876/gallery.html Link To Calvin & Hobbes

http://www.nivmedia.com/calvin/calvincuts.html Yet Another Link To Calvin & Hobbes

http://www.iraqmofa.net/english/home.aspx Link To Iraq Ministry Of Foreign Affairs

http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/bulletin/2003/html/pb22101/apofpo.html Link To APO Info

http://music.yahoo.com/musicvideos/default.asp Link to Music Videos/ Cool Site

http://www.nasa.gov/home/index.html Link To NASA Homepage /Way Cool Site

Hail Dear Ole State

I got a huge surprise at my back door yesterday!
I got a HUGE box of MSU media guides, posters, a flag, etc etc to send to Alpha Co.
I was so excited to get this and can not wait to get it off to the guys so they can enjoy it!
A big THANK you goes out to all the Coaches and Staff that put that box together and especially to Mrs Rice you are the BEST!

Hail Dear Ole State!

Hail dear ole State
Fight for that victory today
Hit that line and tote that ball
Cross the goal before you fall
And then we'll yell yell yell YELL
For dear ole State we'll yell like H-E-L-L!
Fight For Mississippi State
Win The Game Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


We got some DAWGS up in here
Woof Woof!

Congratulations To My Two Boys

My oldest son just received his Arrow of Light the highest honor a Cub Scout can achieve. My youngest son just received his Webelos Badge. We had a lovely ceremony on Thursday night to honor them as well as all the scouts of Pack 104 who have worked extremely hard this year!
Congrats to all of them! We are proud of you all!

A Memorial Day Poem

FREEDOM'S CALL

THEY ARE CALLED TO BE IN UNIFORM
TO SERVE BOTH DAY AND NIGHT
PROTECTING OUR GREAT COUNTRY
TO FIGHT THE VALLIANT FIGHT

TO RESCUE US FROM DANGER
AT HOME-ACROSS THE SEA
BRAVE & SPECIAL PEOPLE
WHO KEEP OUR NATION FREE

AND TOGETHER ON A MISSION
OUR HEROES, THEY ARE THERE
EVERY COLOR--EVERY CREED
WITH FREEDOM'S LIGHT TO SHARE

AND DAY BY DAY--STEP BY STEP
ALL FOR ONE & ONE FOR ALL
OUR HEROES STAND TOGETHER STRONG
TO ANSWER FREEDOM'S CALL.

Remembering all those who served and died in our country's wars:

Revolutionary War

War of 1812

Civil War (both sides)

WWI

WWII

Korean

Vietnam

Desert Storm

Afganistan

Iraqi Freedom

And any other wars I may have left out (don't tell my history professors)

We Just Enjoyed A Weekend With Our Little Glowstick

Jonathan got to come home for R&R he will leave soon going back but it was so great to see him and see his smile! Oh yeah I got tons of hugs in while he was home! He got to come home for his brothers Adam's HS graduation and was even able to present Adam with his diploma. There was a Mr Evans home from Iraq as well who presented his son his diploma! This needless to say was an emotion filled graduation! My boys were tickled to see Jonathan he is their hero! It was also really hard to leave him on Sunday knowing we have a LONG time to go til he is home for good and safe! We will just pray and worry and pray some more!

An American Soldier By Toby Keith

I'm just trying to be a fatherRaise a daughter and a sonBe a lover to their motherEverything to everyoneUp and at 'em, bright and earlyI'm all business in my suitYeah, I'm dressed up for success From my head down to my bootsI don't do it for the moneyThere's bills that I can't payI don't do it for the gloryI just do it anywayProviding for our future's my responsibilityYeah I'm real good under pressureBeing all that I can beAnd I can't call in sick on Mondays when the weekends been too strongI just work straight through the holidaysAnd sometimes all night longYou can bet that I stand ready when the wolf growls at the doorHey, I'm solid, hey I'm steady, hey, I'm true down to the coreAnd I will always do my duty no matter what the priceI've counted up the cost, I know the sacrificeOh, and I don't want to die for youbut if dyin's asked of meI'll bear that cross with honor'cause freedom don't come freeI'm an American soldier, an Americanbeside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a standWhen Liberty's in jeopardy, I will always do what's rightI'm out here on the front lineSleep in peace tonightAmerican soldier, I'm an American soldierYeah, an American soldier, an AmericanBeside my brothers and my sisters I will proudly take a standWhen Liberty's in jeopardy I will always do what's rightI'm out here on the front lineSo Sleep in peace tonightAmerican soldier, I'm an American An American, an American soldier

Jesus Loves The Little Children All The Children Of The World! And So Do The Soldiers Of Alpha Co!

The Alpa Co of 150 CEB MS National Guard have adopted a local Iraqi school and we are accepting donations of school supplies! There are around 100 kids in this school.
Captain Cager suggestions for the kits follows:
"Each Kit contains basic, badly-needed items that can make a world of difference to a child heading to school," he explains. "Assembling standardized Kits ensures that each child receives the same number of the most needed items, facilitates customs clearance, and relieves our volunteers and soldiers of the time-consuming and labor intensive process of sorting and allocating random donated items. Kits are wildly popular among Iraqis, who often request them."Capt. Cager suggests each Kit be assembled according to the following list of items. Please enclose NO additional items, and be sure that all items are new and unused. Pack only the listed supplies in a in a 2-gallon sized zipper seal plastic bag.· One pair of blunt-end scissors (#337642 - $.87 ea)· One 12-inch ruler with metric markings (#133507 - $.37 ea) · 12 new pencils with erasers (#107580 - 12/$.68 or #733601 - 72/$2.98)· One small pencil sharpener (#501833 - $.68) · One large eraser (#485185 - 3/$1.59)· One box of colored pencils (Crayons melt in Iraqi heat!) (#274984 - 12 pencils for $2.78)· One package of notebook paper (#589483 - 150 sheets/$1.20)· One composition book (#588268 - 100 pages/ $1.74)· Three folders with inside pockets (#433664 - 10/$3.18) · One zippered pencil pouch (#434357 - $1.76)These items, priced from Office Depot's web site, http://www.officedepot.com ,can be assembled for about $12. Add $3 for postage, and the kits run about $15 each.

Also the children are in need or shoes, clothes, toys, etc..... Flip flops are acceptable and tee shirts and shorts are wonderful... no religous items please!

Thank you so much for supporting our efforts to build bridges in our growing relations with the Iraqi peoples! If you would like to help please contact me at the following email address

dogsrule@earthlink.net

Letters From Home

Inspired by the John Michael Montgomery song and a mom's post on another great blog
I have started a new grass roots effort to send a box or two or three or however many boxes of letters, cards, emails etc etc to the Alpha Co of 150 CEB Mississippi National Guard... I know that alot of the guys and gals get mail but it just pains my heart that some may not! I want to send enough mail that on at least one day EVERYONE will receive a piece of mail! If you are interested in helping in this endeavor just drop a note to

Letters From Home
C/O Tracye Prewitt
352 Marian Lane
Vicksburg, MS 39183

or email me at

dogsrule@earthlink.net

Thanks a ton! And I know the soldiers appreciate your love and support! They also covet your prayers! Please pray that all these brave men and women get home safe! And pray for the families who await their return. For those who are traveling to and from R& R we pray for your safe travel! And for the families who have lost loved ones we love you and you are held up in our thoughts and prayers daily! We appreciate your loved one and what they did for our country!

Letters From Home
John Michael Montgomery

My dearest love it’s almost dawn I been lying here all night long wonderin’ where you might be I saw your momma and I showed her the ring man on the television said some things, so I couldn't sleep but I'll be all right I'm just missin' you and this is me kissing you X's and O's, in a letter from home I hold it up and show my buddies like we ain't scared and are boots ain't muddy and they all laugh cause she calls me honey but they take it hard, cause I don't read the good parts I fold it up and put it in my shirt pick up my gun and get back to work and it keeps me drivin’ on waitin on, letters from home Dear son I know I ain't written and sitting here tonight alone in the kitchen it occurs to me I might not have said it so I'll say it now son you make me proud I hold it up and show my buddies like we ain't scared and are boots ain't muddy but no one laughs, cause there ain't nothing funny when a soldier cries and I just wipe my eyes I fold it up and put it in my shirt pick up my gun and get back to work and it keeps me drivin’ on waitin on, letters from home

For The Love Of A Little Boy Posts By SFC Kevin Kelly

May 14
We were getting ready to go to some more houses to look around and there was a woman, man and a 7 year old boy standing in front of their house. They were saying something, but we weren't paying that close attention until the man reached down and pulled up his son's gown (I don't know what the gown thing is called) and I saw a horrific sight. The little boy had no penis and his bladder was hanging out. CPT Cager and I immediately went to the woman and man to ask what had happened. Not really sure, but something about an explosion. The dad pulled it up again and you could see the little boy just so timid about us looking. We pulled it back down and told them we would get a doctor to him as soon as we could. We went to the last houses to search and finished up. I asked CPT Cager if I should take a picture of it so that I could give the doctor a look at what he would be facing so he could ask questions or bring medicine. He said yes. I went to ask the woman, with an interpreter, if I could take a picture to show our doctor. I told her that as soon as I showed the doctor I would delete the pictures because I didn't want anyone else having access to these pictures. She agreed and I took the picture. I gagged and wanted to cry at the same time seeing the flies landing on his bladder. (I did delete it immediately after giving it to Doc (MAJ) Leewood.) I told them that we would have a doctor here as soon as possible to help the child. Once back at the FOB, I talked to Doc and he said there is a program where we can send this kid to the military hospital in Baghdad to perform surgeries. If they aren't able to do it there, they will fly some of them back to the U.S. I just hope and pray that we can do something for this little boy and his family. I know that this might sound bad of my land navigation skills, but we took a wrong turn 200 meters before our scheduled stop. Had we not stopped here, we would have never seen the kid. It's weird how things happen. I'm sorry to end the email on a sad note, but the bright side is that we will probably be able to help this boy. We do a lot of things over here for the Iraqi people, but if this little boy gets to have an operation and is healed because we found him, it will make this more meaningful to know that you made a difference in a little boy's life.
May 17
When we got to the house, the mother of the boy was in the fields working. Totally off the subject, but when I say she was in the field working, she was working. The women do all the harvesting and stuff. When they pull the crops from the ground or pull the grass so that the cows have something to eat, they pick it clean. It looks like a lawn mower cut the grass. Anyway, the woman saw us pull up and she came straight to the house. Our doctor got out and we went to see the child. The doctor did an examination of him. We also asked some clarifying question. The child was actually born with this problem. I don’t know how our interpreter got explosion the last time. The child is 7 years old. Doc said that we now forward the pictures to the surgeons in Baghdad at the Army post there and see if they will do the surgery. He feels pretty confident that they can if we can just cut through all the red tape. You should have seen the tears rolling down the woman’s face as we told her we would probably be able to help him out. We then went and saw a few other sick people in the area.
May 20, 2005 - WE ARE GETTING MOHAMMAD THE SURGERYToday we started out with the mission of trying to find out more information on little Mohammed who is the little kid with the problem I have talked about. We had to take several vehicles since they don't have a telephone. When we got there, the mother was giving him a bath in a washtub in the opening of the house and he was really embarrassed. We turned away and started talking to his brother. We had to get his name, age, address, mother's name and father's name and all the typical information you would need to send someone to the hospital. He got dressed and came over to us so attentive. He had been kind of distant, but this time he would look up to me and kind of give this little grin. We told the parents and brother that we didn't know when we would be able to help them out, but as soon as we did, we would call them or come see them. We left and the little boy held out his hand to shake my hand. I thought it was pretty cool. Little did we know that when we got back this afternoon, that we found out when and where he would get surgery. I can't disclose that right now for security reasons for both us and the boy, but it won't be long. I don't know, it just felt so great to know that we were going to be able to help this little boy and his family. I'll let you know more as it develops.
May 21
We had to stop by Mohammad's house to tell his father when and where we would pick him up when it was time. We had pulled up and the father was outside. I bet we hadn't been there but about 30 seconds when from around the corner, Mohammad came running around the corner with a backpack on his shoulder and what looked like a brand new outfit with his hair all fixed up and everything. You could just see the excitement in his eyes. I hated to tell him that today wasn't the day, but told him when we would come get him and to be ready. He just looked at us with excitement. I told him he would be able to fly with his father in a helicopter and that even made him happier. I think everyone here in this FOB is ready for this little boy to get surgery. You can act as tough and mean as you want, but when you see this little boy coming running around the corner smiling with his backpack thinking he is going to have surgery, you have no choice but to let your guard down. I'll speak for myself and maybe a few others that have seen him, he has me totally captivated. I can't wait to get him fixed up.
May 22, 2005 - WE COMPLETED THE MISSIONI know some are wondering the status of little Mohammad. We got him on the helicopter this morning and he is gone to have his surgery. I'll write more about the day later, but wanted to tell every back home that had said prayers for this to happen. I know this isn't somthing that you'll see in magazines or television, but this is what this war is about. This is a little boy that captured the hearts of a Company and many others. Thanks for all your prayers. God Bless, Kevin
May 22-2Today started out with an early wake-up to go pick up Mohammad at his house. When we got there this morning early, he was up, dressed and ready to go with his little backpack over his shoulder. His dad was outside and came up to us and you could just see the joy in both of their faces. You don't know how bad I've wanted to tell you when we were going to go pick him up, but for security I kept it to myself. But I did want to let you know as soon as it happened. We asked the father if he would mind if CPT Cager, SGT Ricks and I took a picture with them and he said they would be honored. We took them to the HUMVEE to put them inside and we told the father that we hated to do this, but we would have to blindfold him until we got to our FOB. He said he understood. Still kind of felt weird that we were helping them out but still had to blindfold, but it was the right thing to do. We headed back and got back to the FOB and we took them to the aid station (medical tent) to wait for the helicopter. I had to go put up my body armor and a few other things before I could go back and check on him. I got back and people were coming in and out to greet them and to see the boy everyone had been talking about. I had brought him a coloring book someone had sent for the kids, SFC Arthur had brought him some matchbox cars, others brought toys, food, gatorade, food and even money. It was like Christmas for the little boy. We finally got everyone ran out to give them a little break. I decided since it was going to be a while before the helicopter got there, I would eat and go to church first. I couldn't wait to get back to see how Mohammad was doing. When I got back he was watching The Polar Express on someone's laptop and eating a sucker. He always would look up at me and then shy away and look back down. I slid over to him and showed him a picture of my son and he loved the soccer one. I slid back to where I was before and and watched the movie with him. After 15 minutes or so, I had to get up and I happened to look down on the ground. The poor little boy got so nervous and scared to get up to go to the bathroom that he had an accident in his chair and it was on the floor. His dad noticed it the same time as I did and I just held up my finger for him not to move. I didn't want to cause a scene and embarrass him so I took a gatorade that I was drinking and knocked it over and it went all over the floor where everything was wet. I then told the interpreter to tell the dad to take him outside while we cleaned up the mess. He did and moved him outside where his little outfit would dry out. I don't think anyone ever knew a thing. In this heat, it dried very quickly. We just sat outside and talked. The father pulled the interpreter and I to the side and told me that he never thought that there could be so much generosity, thoughtfulness, and humanity shown to someone from another country and especially since there was a war. He then told me that Mohammad couldn't go to school because little kids made fun of him and also no one would really play with him either. He just sat kept saying Shakron (Thank You) over and over. I just told him that if I was in the same situation that I would want him to do the same for my son. We finally got up to the top of the hill when the helicopter was due. LTC Robinson came out to meet both of them. Before he came out there, Clay had asked the little boy if he was ready to go on the helicopter and he said very quickly, NO. Everyone laughed and he just smiled. The helicopter flew in and I carried his bag to the bird and helped him in. I then handed him his back pack that was full of little green apples to eat and all the stuff everyone had given him. He just kind of threw up a hand and waved and that was all the thanks we needed. The bird took off and our little boy was headed to Baghdad. I remember Clay coming up to me and saying, "If that doesn't get to your heart, something is wrong with you." I couldn't agree with him more. I'll let you know more when we hear something. It could be tomorrow or it could be weeks. Thanks for all the prayers though. I've attached the picture of us picking him up this morning