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May 13, 2006



"I want to tell everyone how great he was"

On May 3, another hero fell. Captain Brian Letendre, deployed with 1/25 Marines, was killed on May 3 when a suicide car bomber attacked his observation post in the Al Anbar province of Iraq. A Potomac News story shares details of Cpt. Letendre's life:

"He's a hero. This young man is fighting the global war on terrorism for other people to give them a chance to have a better life," said Bill Bann, a friend of the Letendre family and a retired Marine Lt. Colonel. "He was over there, saw it, experienced it first hand and wanted to go back because he believed in what they are doing."

Letendre, a Marine since he graduated from Milligan College in Tennessee, made his family's friends proud, they said.

"He was a fine young man, the best our country has to offer," said Bann, whose twin sons befriended Letendre in elementary school. "He was full of passion, a man of courage, conviction and integrity. He loved being a Marine."

Since they were teens, Letendre and friends David and Brian Bann dreamed of becoming officers in the Marine Corps.

They played G.I. Joe in the woods near their Woodbridge home, said David Bann.

Letendre's father, Milton Letendre, said his son was strong, high mannered and moral.

"He was looking forward to [his tour in Iraq]. He's a very motivated, very patriotic young man who believed in what his country is doing," said his father.

Letendre, a 1996 Potomac Senior High School graduate, won a posthumous Purple Heart Medal and an Iraq Campaign Medal this week, said Gunnery Sgt. Pete Walza, DoD spokesman.

Those medals add to Letendre's 14 other awards during his nearly six years of Marine Corps service.

He joined in May 2000 as a second lieutenant and nearly at the same time married his college sweetheart, Autumn. She and their 3-year-old son live in Indianapolis.

And last week, Autumn Letendre wrote a letter to the men of 1/25 who served with her husband.:

Dear Friends and Family,

I write this letter with a pain I never imagined could exist. It was just last week that I was telling you our story and what a story we have. Although I feel cocooned with extreme sadness I could not be any prouder. Brian loved the Marine Corp and all that encompassed its purpose. He believed that being in Iraq was right and that no one should resist the chance to liberate another human being even if that meant putting his life on the line. He leaves our three year old son Dillon- a blessing and mirrored image of Brian. I can not find a word with enough meaning, enough passion to explain how great of a father Brian was. Dillon loves his daddy so much and has truly lost an American Hero.

I am smiling right now as I reminisce our first date, our first kiss, the day he told me he loved me, when he proposed etc. Wow, what happiness fills me with these thoughts and how I want to tell everyone how great he was.

(To those of you separated by deployment)

As our news shocks and terrifies you, please stay strong for your men. They need your strength as they must complete their mission. Do not let fear take away the great bond that deployment can create between you and your spouse. I encourage you to write them and write often. Tell them how you truly feel and live with extreme pride to be married to one of the few.

I have no regrets as I always told Brian how proud of him I was and still am. I may have lost the love of my life, but I have gained a life and story that few in this great country have.

Thank you for your prayers
Autumn Letendre

I am reminded of another example:

The night before last at dinner, I listened to General Mattis speak of another helicopter crash in Afghanistan. Desperate for a replacement, he contacted Washington and obtained one from the command back home. Later he learned that, that evening, the young widow of one of the men who died in the crash, seven-months pregnant, showed up with fresh-baked brownies to bid farewell to the outgoing crew as it headed out to Afghanistan.

Fallen Marines are often described as having given the ultimate sacrifice for a free country. That is certainly true. But their spouses give the penultimate sacrifice - the loss of the love of their life - as they assume the mantle of both parental roles. Think of the widows of those fallen heroes tomorrow on Mother's Day.

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Update from Camp Fallujah

Here's an update from Col. Larry D. Nicholson, commander of RCT-5 :

Dear Families and Friends of the Regiment,

Already May, and after nearly 3 months in Iraq, we are really starting to hit our stride and find our daily rhythm. So many great things being done by our Marines, Sailors, and yes Soldiers. Most of these things never make the news, but I am immensely proud of our accomplishments and the manner in which we are treating the Iraqi people.

Currently we have 3/5, 1/1, 2/6, and 1st RECON BN on deck along with Tank, AAV, Engineer, and Arty Company's / Batteries from both coasts. Nearly 5 thousand folks on RCT-5 morning reports and this is just the US side. We also have 5 Battalions of Iraqis working under the RCT-5 banner, and with them our daily count is near 8 thousand. So as you might imagine, we are exceptionally busy moving all of these units and personnel in the same direction every day. We are also in the middle of unit turnovers for some of our Battalions, and this complex and challenging process is going very well so far.

Life inside Camp Fallujah is "almost" comfortable in the sense that the weather is still nice, California like in fact, and the food and billeting for all hands is much improved from my last trip here. This does not mean however that we do not need care packages from home. We each look forward to the mail trucks arrival and just like kids at Christmas, can"t wait to rip into those packages.

I am very encouraged by the great participation of our families back home in attending our sponsored events. Our family network is doing a wonderful job of keeping the lines of communications open and providing the critical support required for our family team.

On a sad note we morn the loss of LTCOL Jay Bargeron and Capt Jason Freeby's fathers these past few weeks. Our prayers are with them, their families, and all of our Marines and Sailors who have suffered family losses or illness during this period.

Thanks you again for your continued strong support of your Marine and Sailor, there is no way any of us could make this deployment successful, and stay focused on our important work, without the dedicated support of our loved ones back home. I very much look forward to writing to you again in June.

Semper Fidelis,
L.D.Nicholson
CO RCT-5

Comfortable weather is a relative statement - other reports indicate that temperatures are ranging upwards of 100 each day. I'm adding powdered Gatorade to each care package - staying hydrated is essential in the desert heat and Gatorade helps. And, I'm sending a couple dozen pairs of socks a month since it is essential to change socks frequently - my son said he'd pour a pint of sweat out of each boot at the end of the day. The comfort of a new pair of socks cannot be overestimated.

Deb

Posted by Deb at 01:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



May 11, 2006



Will work for food - 3/8 Update from the Al Anbar Province

Photo and story details by Lance Cpl. William L. Dubose II
3/8 Marines at Ar Ramadi are working for their supper via the "sandbag program." The note on the chair reads:
ALL HANDS
1 MEAL =
1 FILLED SANDBAG
(NEATLY STACKED
ON A PALLET)
THANKS
THE MARINE OR SAILOR SAVED BY YOUR SANDBAG
The program is strictly enforced and regulated by food service specialists in an effort to help aid the reconstruction and fortification of various observation sites.

From Lt. Col. Neary:

LETTER FROM THE COMMANDING OFFICER'S DESK

On behalf of the Marines, Sailors, and soldiers of Task Force 3/8, greetings from Western Ramadi in Al Anbar Province. It is impossible to put into words just how proud I am of these young men and how they have represented the Marine Corps, their family name and the United States. They perform their duty willingly and with unprecedented courage. Your men truly represent the best of America. Over the past month, you may have seen 3/8 on CBS, CNN, as well as in many major newspapers and websites. Everyday and night, we persevere with our mission of developing the Iraqi Security Forces (Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police) in Ar Ramadi in order to set the conditions for Iraqi Self Control and Reliance. Our goal is to turn over more battle space and responsibilities over to the ISF and we have already made significant progress in our area. Your men have been more than meeting the challenge at hand.

Many of our young men are being recognized for their valor in combat earning awards for their bravery as well as combat promotions. These heroes will tell you they are just doing their job. Challenges lay ahead and our men are prepared to meet those challenges.

The current temperature is a High: 100 and a Low: 70 at night. Please keep in your prayers, those Marines and Sailors recovering in hospitals as well as those families who have lost a warrior. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We miss you all very much. God Bless. Fortune Favors the Strong.

Semper Fi!

LtCol Neary

Posted by Deb at 02:00 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack



May 10, 2006



Update from the Al Anbar Province

Major General Rick Zilmer, Commanding General of I MEF Forward sends this update from the front:

The tough mission of securing the western province of Iraq and training our Iraqi Army partners continues to keep the Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen busy, and focused on the task at hand. The Marines and Soldiers in Ramadi had a lot of success working with their Iraqi partners and rid the city of a large number of insurgents in the past couple of weeks. Slowly, but surely, the Iraqi Army becomes stronger and is more and more capable. This past week, a new class of Iraqi recruits graduated from boot camp and will join our efforts. The new recruits are the result of efforts to bring more Sunni Muslims into the Iraqi Army and Police Force to fight in the Anbar province, which is made up mostly of Sunni Muslims.

We work hard everyday making sure that the service members are well equipped, well prepared, and well supported. Despite the rising temperatures -- we're just breaking 100 degrees now -- the operational tempo remains high. With the promising new leadership in the Iraqi Government, it is clear that Iraq is moving in the direction of democracy. The Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen, with their Iraqi counterparts, are unfazed, dedicated and are doing a great deal to move the nation toward their goal.

Recently, a couple of visits from former heroes and entertainers gave the service members a much needed break from the seriousness of the task at hand. Two Medal of Honor recipients recently visited, sharing their war stories with our young warriors, and providing them an evening of camaraderie and inspiration. The Charlie Daniels Band also came out for a well-attended concert at Camp Taqqadum.

A large part of our resilience and ability to continue the fight is due to your outstanding support! Thank you. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers and continue to write, email, and MOTOMAIL. Please check back after May 15th to hear more news about your Marines, Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen doing a fine job out here in the Al Anbar Province. Until then, take care on the home front and Semper Fidelis.

Good news . . . except for the hot weather. I just mailed a box of 48 Snickers bars for my chocolate-deprived son and his Marines. Sounds like they'll be Snickers Soup by the time they get there . . . but they'll eat them anyway. Life as an infantry Marine does have its challenges.

Posted by Deb at 01:05 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack



May 09, 2006



Lunch with the President - "It was just some motivating stuff"

Most enlisted Marines rarely - if ever - talk with their battalion commander. Chains of command are there for a reason and messages are passed up and answers are passed back down. One of the high points of SOI for my son was the day he went through grenade training. He pulled the pin, threw the grenade and just then realized there was a full bird Colonel standing right behind him. As he hit the deck, he managed to throw his body into attention while saluting. He said the landing was a bit uncomfortable but he wasn't going to take a chance on not following protocol.

Imagine having lunch with the Commander in Chief of all U.S. armed forces. It happened last week for the Marines of the Combat Center, 29 Palms.

Cpl. Jesse Markel, recently returned from Iraq with 2/7 Marines, shakes the hand of President Bush.

Cpl. Markel's mom (Nicole Markel who coordinated Operation Santa for 2/7 Marines last fall), commented, "Leave it to our son to get an opportunity to sit at the head table next to the President for lunch! He had a great time, said they talked about everything from Iraq to football. He said he is very down to earth, easy to talk to. Pretty cool!!!"

Cpl. Evan M. Eagan, Combat Correspondent, reports on the day's events:

President George Bush came to the Combat Center April 23, to visit Marines, Sailors and their families during a three-day tour of the Southern California area.

Marking the first time a president has visited the Combat Center, Bush attended church services at the Protestant Chapel and ate lunch with the service members and their families at the 7th Marines mess hall, where he addressed those who assembled.

During his speech, Bush expressed his appreciation for the Marines, Sailors and their families for the sacrifices they have made whether overseas or stateside.

You represent the very best of America, he said. You represent men and women who volunteer to serve during dangerous and historic times. And because of your service, we're defeating an enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here at home. Because of your service, we've liberated people from the clutches of a tyrant. And because of your service, we're laying the foundation of peace for a generation of Americans to come. These are historic times, and your service makes me incredibly proud.

And I also want to say something to your families, Bush continued. It's hard when your loved one is overseas. I respect your sacrifice, and want to thank you very much for your service to our country, as well.

Many Marines who ate lunch with the president were excited to meet with their commander-in-chief.

For Sgt. Daniel D. Reuss, an assault gunner with Weapons Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, meeting President Bush was a rewarding experience.

I sat about 20 feet away from the president when I ate brunch with him, said the Redding, Calif., native, and two time Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. He said he was very happy to see us. He told us the Marine Corps was doing an excellent job. It was an awesome experience, which was worth a lot. Not everyone gets to meet the president.

Lance Cpl. Christopher L. Parks, an infantryman with 3rd Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, wasn't seated as close to the president, but still had the opportunity to meet him.

When he first came in to the chow hall, he became social with all of us who were standing in line,"said the Corpus Christi, Texas, native, and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. After eating, he walked around the whole chow hall to shake hands with everyone. When he got to our table, he told us how much of a good job we're doing. He also asked about our families and how things were going at home. It was a pretty motivating experience. He gave me inspiration to keep doing my job and doing it well. He really showed us he cared and he wanted us to know that. It was an honor to see him because it's something that I might not have the privilege to do again.

Sgt. Matthew L. Barber, a machinegun squad leader with Weapons Platoon, Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, was motivated by the president's visit. Eating with the president is an experience he won't soon forget.

I was very motivated to even get to see the president," said the Olathe, Kan., native. "When he first got to the chow hall, he busted out with a Semper Fi. That was very motivating.

We all were very happy to have the president come to our base, continued Barber. “He actually took the time from his very busy schedule to come see us for a day. I know everyone in 3/4 was honored to talk to him. It was my best experience here. It was just some motivating stuff.

After spending time with the Marines, Sailors and their families, President Bush made his way to the Combat Center parade field where he boarded Marine One and departed.

I'll send these pictures to my son, currently deployed in Iraq. He missed meeting President Bush by a few hours in Ireland last February, to his regret. And if he had to miss President Bush's visit to his home base, he'll be happy that his good friend, Jesse, was the Marine who sat next to the him, chatting about the things that are of interest to men everywhere - sports and combat.

Posted by Deb at 12:16 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack



May 07, 2006



Angels on the battlefield

This afternoon, I was privileged to attend the funeral of an American hero. Petty Office 3, Marcques J. Nettles was remembered with tears and laughter by friends and family who gathered to say goodbye. Marcques was deployed with 1st Combat Logistics Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I MEF, Camp Pendleton, Calif. On April 2, 2006 Nettles was travelling with seven Marines when the truck they were in rolled over in a flash flood near Al Asad, Iraq.

  • Cpl. David A. Bass, 20, of Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Lance Cpl. Patrick J. Gallagher, 27, of Jacksonville, Florida.
  • Cpl. Brian R. St. Germain, 22, of Warwick, Rhode Island.
  • Petty Officer 3rd Class Marcques J. Nettles, 22, of Beaverton, Oregon.
  • Lance Cpl. Eric A. Palmisano, 27, of Florence, Wisconsin.
  • Lance Cpl. Felipe D. Sandoval-Flores, 20, of Los Angeles, California.
  • Staff Sgt. Abraham G. Twitchell, 28, of Yelm, Washington.
  • Cpl. Andres Aguilar Jr., 21, of Victoria, Texas.

In a memorial service held inside the Al Asad base garage on April 18, hundreds of U.S. service members and civilians remembered the fallen troops. Staff Sgt. Jim Goodwin was there:

Standing atop the backside of a large, military flatbed truck behind a wooden podium, Lt. Col. Drew T. Doolin, the unit's commanding officer, spoke of the Marines' sacrifice and offered words of encouragement to those in attendance.

"We honor them best by remaining steady in our resolve, in our professionalism and in our faith in each other," said Doolin, whose comments opened the hour-long ceremony. "They will not be forgotten."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and many friends who grieve their loss," said Doolin.

Nestled underneath an open, steel-roofed area where normally a large, military truck would be, Marines and other attendees sat and listened as Marines and sailors took turns speaking of the fallen Marines and sailor.

"They died doing what they love, and they are deeply missed," said Capt. Carrie M. Pendroy..

And Corpsman Nettles was remembered by the sailors and Marines with whom he served:

Always the one to find good in any situation, Nettles was recalled by fellow Navy corpsmen at the service, a person who "never backed away from a challenge," and was always willing to help a fellow Marine or sailor.

"He made me realize that there is still good in the world, you just have to look around for it,"said Hospitalman Jorge Arreola, who worked with Nettles at CLB-7's medical clinic. "If you were searching for hope or just a piece of mind, all you had to do was look at his smile."

"If someone came back from a convoy in a foul mood, he'd be the one to greet him with a smile and ask, 'Do you want to talk about it?' offer a drink, and let the guy vent," said Petty Officer 1st Class David A. Pope, who also worked with Nettles at the battalion's medical clinic. "By the end of it, they're both laughing and things are good. He was a good man and friend."

In today's ceremony, Marcques was described by his football coach, Bob Corey, as having the biggest heart on the field. He described a pivotal game, when Marques was a sophomore and sprained his ankle shortly before the game. Despite his injury, he was a one-man offensive force and carried the day for his team. Corey said that every team, every class at Westview High School will know about Marcques Nettles. His legacy will live on.

Christina Mullen and Marcques Nettles.

Christina Mullen, who first met Marcques in 7th grade, spoke of an instant bond. They dated in high school - she was a cheerleader and he was co-captain of the football team - and there was never anyone else for either of them. After high school, they married and he joined the Navy. With tears on her face, she spoke of his "amazing smile" and the love they had for each other. She thanked Marcques for "every laugh and every tear, too many fishing trips, and for getting up to make me coffee even though he didn't drink it."

Curtis (left) and Marcques Nettles.


Marcques' brother Curtis, also a sailor assigned to Camp Pendleton, spoke of growing up with Marcques - fishing, golfing, snowboarding, and finally enlisting in the Navy - and looking forward to being stationed together at Camp Pendleton. He finished by singing In the Lord's Arms by Ben Harper:

Like the wings stolen from an angel
Like petals gone from a rose
Like a dove caught in a storm
Tonight he's in the Lord's Arms

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski, a former Marine, spoke of how Marines cherished their Corpsmen - the only non-Marines authorized to wear the prized Eagle, Glove and Anchor - as angels on the battlefield. And Curtis Sr. and Suzie Nettles, Marcques parents, shared their recollections of a son who brought something special into every life he touched. Suzie remembered his prayers as a young child with a speech impediment . . . "Oh Lord, take care of them that they not twip and bweed". And he carried that concern into his professional life as a Hospital Corpsman. Curtis's pride in his son was evident - there were few dry eyes in the sanctuary as he sang Proud to be an American and I Can Only Imagine.

There'll be a party in Heaven tonight as one more soul is welcomed into the Kingdom where the best and brightest guard golden streets.

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