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July 25, 2004
3/7 update
Chaplain Slater, currently deployed with 3rd Battalion 7th Marines, has a late July update:
Well, there really isn't much new to say this time. The good news is that there's really no bad news to report. The last ten days haven't been without excitement, mind you, but thank the Lord there have been no serious injuries on our side. We detained a lot of bad guys and destroyed more enemy weapons caches and continue to make slow and steady improvement in our area of operations. We were visited yesterday by the Commandant of the Marine Corps. It was nice, he showed an interest in our mission out here. It was good to hear him say “Congratulations and thanks for the great job you're doing”. It even made us feel proud when he passed on the thanks and praise he's heard from folks back home. But what got a hearty oohrah out of the crowd was telling us that our planned seven-month rotation cycle was right on schedule. Barring any drastic changes in the battlefield, we should be coming home on time.As we continue normal operations, an increasing part of our focus is inventorying gear and supplies, and preparing turnover information for our replacement battalion to use to be successful. It's a lot of work, and yet it's one chore no one minds doing. As to the quality of life, well it just keeps getting better and better, the military takes care of every need. And over 200 marines just enjoyed receiving their next anthrax shot. Some of these guys face bullets and bombs better than needles. It's really pretty funny.
Long ago a wise king named Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 7:8; “Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” How true. Anybody can start strong, but only the patient have the wisdom and perseverance to finish strong. All of us over here are committed to doing just that, and we know that all of you at home will do the same.
I know a couple of Marine Corps moms (and wives and girlfriends), not to mention dads, grandparents, other family members, and friends that are anxiously counting down the days until 3/7 returns to 29 Palms. Keep that patience, men of 3/7, we want every last one of you home safely!
Posted by Deb at July 25, 2004 07:26 PM
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Comments
I don't want to be strong and patient anymore !! Hee hee....okay, I guess I can....I'm counting down!!!!! Can't wait to be in Oregon.....With my Billy!!!!!!! Thanks Deb for the post! Anjee
Posted by: Anjee at August 3, 2004 03:45 AM