The Holiday Season in Iraq

We are experiencing some of the same aspects of the holidays over here that you, our family and friends, enjoy back home. There is cold weather, gifts (in the form of care packages), Christmas trees, and it even snowed! This will be the first Holiday Season away from home for many of the Marines and Sailors of Fighting Fox Battery. Our unit has grown extremely close over the past few months and I am sure that we will make the best of the season despite not sharing it with you back home.

This is the season for sharing. We have received many gifts - please accept my appreciation for the packages that you sent, and also accept my advanced apologies for receiving much more than we can possibly provide to you back home. There are a number of factors that limit our ability to send gifts. First of all the Internet service, while reliable, (at times) is tough to use as a purchasing medium because your allotted time limit often expires prior to making your purchase. In addition to that, the PX is stocked with many of the necessities for service members, and plenty of ?nice-to-haves? but it does not offer much in the form of presents.

Since we have arrived we have received many care packages from numerous groups and organizations. It is comforting to know that you all appreciate our efforts. The packages contain useful items and we are thankful for them all. I doubt if any of us will have to purchase a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, lip balm, or package of wet wipes for the remainder of our time here. If I can suggest an item to place in future packages, it would be instant hand warmers. The vast majority of our time is spent outside and the temperature has dropped significantly in the recent weeks. (The coldest temperature to date has been 21 degrees F.)

As we near Christmas the morale of the Marines and Sailors remains extremely high. The overall reason the morale level could be so high while deployed, especially during the holiday season, is the belief that what we are doing here truly makes a difference in the lives of the Iraqi people and the world as a whole. I must add I?m proud to be a part of this battery and battalion. It?s provided me with the opportunity to see the unselfishness and giving of the Marines and Sailors in an effort to do the right thing and be professionals at their jobs on a daily basis. To be a witness to this endeavor is truly a blessing.

The on going devotion of our loved ones and support from friends has shown through again and again with mail and care packages. Your continuous commitment to the troops of course aids in such a remarkably high morale level. The quantity of packages the battery has received is unbelievable. Many people and groups have adopted us. Words cannot begin to express how much we appreciate your thoughtfulness. By the time the New Years arrives, we will all need to go on a diet!

As the New Year approaches we all have something to be proud of, as 2004 has been an important year in so many of our lives: our families, our training, and the mission. With the arrival of the New Year, we can start counting down the days until our return. Having said that we will not be done until our last Marine/Sailor is back home with their loved ones.

As always, your support and understanding keeps us going. Never forget what your Marines and Sailors have done and continue to do here on a daily basis to improve the lives of so many people. In the United States we often fail to remember the countless others in this world who have never known freedom and equality, to live day to day without fear. Your Marines and Sailors are helping create that for the people of Iraq.

God Bless you all...
Ooh Rah,
1stSgt Solt, J.A.

Right now, my son's unit, 2/10 Lima Battery, is on the outskirts of Fallujah (since September 7th). When they first arrived in Iraq the weather was HOT. Now my son tells us he is always cold. At night it is worse. Since they are living in tents it keeps some of the cold out but the dampness is always with them. The young men and women are requesting anything that is warming; cups of soup, hot cocoa, individual coffee packs and tea bags. I have sent in the last box, a number of the hand warmers which skiers use that are disposable and can be put in the boots, gloves and in their hats. Also, thermal socks are an added comfort at night!