Patriotically Incorrect: One Soldiers Story

Mon, 16 Aug 2004 11:31:22 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 14

Note: Well, Rayne has shamed me into getting in a couple more entries while I still can. I'll be with you until the end of the week. Then I'll continue in the Fall. I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading.

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From:
From: PI's Mom
Date: Jun 2004
To: Family
Cc: John
Subject: Fwd: [...] Here is John's latest communique from Iraq. I've also pasted in a previous email giving his new assignment and new address. There is an OpEd piece in today's New York Times called "For Some Soldiers The War Never Ends." Its description of the "gross breach of contract" between the Army and its soldiers addresses the regular Army, but applies even more to Reservists like John.

Hey all, Hello from [my new post]! Here's my new address as promised. I'm in the middle of the desert in southern Iraq at the safest base in Iraq miles and miles from civilization -- and loving it. We guard a 4-hour supply run between [here] and [somewhere else] on just about the bumpiest, dustiest and safest road on earth. Nothing but camels and sand. Life is good... I couldn't have gotten through this thing without my friends and family. THanks again for the love and support! John THROW THE CHICKENHAWKS OUT! Donate!
Volunteer!
VOTE KERRY 2004!!!
www.johnkerry.com

Thu, 12 Aug 2004 13:40:04 GMT

Pardon the Interruption I've got more of John's story to tell, but I have been crazy busy for the last month or so, and will be for a while more. There's a good chance that I won't be able to get back on the horse until October. Thanks for your patience. Please check back with me in the fall. Take care.

Mon, 19 Jul 2004 12:48:42 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 13 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ==================================================

From: PI
Subject: Stay strong, stay safe.
Date: May 2004
To: John
John, I suppose you know by now about the PR debacle concerning abuses at Abu Ghraib. The question at this point is how systematic the abuse was, and how far up the chain responsibility lies. Of course for me the worst part is having to explain to people that you are not one of perpetrators (I'd been telling them that you had been a prison guard there before the news broke). I know now why your inmates cried when you shipped out: they knew you were a good man, and the bad ones were very bad. I'm curious, as far as you know, were these abuses perpetrated before you were stationed there? Did you know any of the accused? Have you been questioned about their actions? My mom was told by Grandma that you were assigned to run the cell block because a lot of guards had just been sent home for questioning. I'm assuming I now know what the questioning was about. That might also explain your instructions not to discipline the prisoners? Sorry for all the questions. I'd like to be able to tell people as authoritatively as I can just what your involvement at Abu Ghraib was, since the name is quickly becoming shorthand here for some very bad things. Meanwhile, I sent a letter to the editor of my local paper about you, and I have gotten a good response. I've gotten a call from a local woman who helps run a veterans for Kerry group, and I got a handwritten note mailed to me from the county Democratic party asking me to call them. I figure if you can't spend the summer working for the Kerry campaign, I'll do what I can for you in your absence. Stay strong, stay safe. Take care.
PI

From: John
Subject: RE: Stay strong, stay safe.
Date: May 2004
To: PI
No no no!!! The QUESTION is: what did Rummy do IMMEDIATELY after he saw the pictures in January. ANSWER: NOTHING. He did NOTHING. Nobody's investigated that angle. The abuse really was isolated, but nobody believes that. It was a couple of West Virginia sicko rednecks who perpetrated it. And supervision of them was piss poor. It really was isolated... Thanks for getting getting the word out on Kerry. [Your state] is a HUGELY important state. If Kerry wins [Your state], he's got the election. So keep fighting the good fight there. And don't just stay in your liberal enclave. Get a haircut and venture out to a redneck town or two and tell 'em about you cousin in Iraq. ;-) He he. Alrighty, gotta go. Keep in touch! John

Mon, 12 Jul 2004 11:35:50 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 12 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Update on John
Date: May 2004
To: Family
Dear All, I talked to my Mom, who has recently talked to John. She says that when he was assigned to Abu Ghraib prison, he was almost immediately put in charge of a cell block of [over 300] prisoners. He pointed out that he was only a private, an MP (a Reservist at that) and therefore without the skills, training, or experience for that level of responsibility. He was told that he was assigned this duty because the prison was very short-handed, with 17 of their people sent back to the U. S. for questioning. We now know what the questioning was about! We also know why his prisoners cried when he told them he was leaving. Things keep going from bad to worse for him. He will miss [his sister]'s wedding, a bitter disappointment. He is now stationed north of Baghdad, riding in the passenger seat of trucks driven by Halliburton employees, who have refused to drive without uniformed soldiers to accompany them. (25 Halliburton employees have been killed so far in this war.) The day he returns to the U. S. will be the happiest day in many a year for all of us. Love,
PI's Mom

Fri, 09 Jul 2004 11:27:06 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 11 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI
Subject: Stay strong, stay safe
Date: April 2004
To: John
John After getting a copy of your email announcing your arrival in Kuwait, I was telling everyone that you were on your way to home and safety. Seems I was a bit premature on that count. I know I haven't kept in touch very well, but your well-being has been regularly on my mind since you shipped out. I realize that it goes without saying, but it sucks that you're stuck there for another four months. I spoke at my church this Sunday about your situation, and let them know that the next time someone tells them that criticizing Bush means they "don't support the troops," they can respond that they're supporting you. Hope that was OK. Stay strong. Stay safe. See you soon. --[PI] From: John
Subject: RE: Stay strong, stay safe
Date: April 2004
To: PI
Ripping on Bush is MORE than OK, it's your duty as a citizen!!! I despise that man with every ounce of my person. Him and his chicken-hawk staff have made a total mess out of Iraq and sent me on a 20-month deployment. Does that make sense? A 20-month deployment for a RESERVIST? Unbelievable. I don't understand how ANYONE could still support him... BUt anyway... Thanks for your support. I've been bad at staying in touch too. This whole experience has actually brought me a lot closer to my family and extended family, you've all been so supportive. Take care,
John

Wed, 07 Jul 2004 12:03:39 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 10 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Fwd: John's address/update
Date: April 2004
To: Family
John is serving another 120 days. Here is the latest word from him. [PI's Mom]

From: John
Date: April 2004
To: Family
Subject: John's address/update
Hey all, A quick update. I'm safe and sound at [a base inside the Sunni triangle,] north of Baghdad. For our mission, we're escorting Halliburton trucks with [a badass] Brigade. The [Brigade] are real bad asses so no one messes with 'em. I feel safe. Keep the care packages, letters and anything you think might help to boost morale coming. :-) This is a really tough situation. One Iraqi summer is more than anyone should ever have to endure, two summers is unthinkable. My address is: [...] Again, thanks for all the love and support! John p.s. please forward this to any friends and family who didn't get it.

Fri, 02 Jul 2004 12:16:42 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 9 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Fwd: [...]
Date: April 2004
To: Family
Prospects grow bleaker.

From: John
Date: April 2004
To: PI's Mom
Subject: RE: [...] Looks more and more like we might get another 4 month extention. Where's the outrage back in the states? I've been deployed 15 months already, and this might make it 19 months. Ever spend a summer in Iraq? With no air conditioning??? It's insane. I'd like to [show Bush just what I think of him]. But he's "steadfast in his resolve," he's "plenty tough," he's "staying the course." Easy when it's someone else's ass on the line. Impeach Bush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! had to get that off my chest, :-) John

[PI's Mom]

Wed, 30 Jun 2004 11:25:07 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 8 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Fwd: [...]
Date: April 2004
To: Family
Further update from John:

From: John
Date: April 2004
To: Family
Subject: [...]
Quick update: [...] As for me, my unit is on "hold" right now, but we think we'll be able to make it out of here without getting extended. We've already been extended once for 4 months, I hope it doesn't happen again. John

Mon, 28 Jun 2004 11:56:05 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 7 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Fwd: Hello from Kuwait!!!
Date: April 2004
To: Family

Dear All, Despite our fears that his tour of duty would be extended, it looks like John is returning to the U. S. as scheduled. I'm forwarding the good news from him.

From: John
Date: April 2004
To: Family
Subject: Hello from Kuwait!!!

Dear friends and family, Hello from Kuwait! We flew out of Baghdad yesterday courtesy of Royal Australian Air Force. No Foster's on board, but God bless 'em anyway. Now I am eating good, sleeping in a real bed and working on my tan here in Kuwait before I head back to the States. The final convoy from Abu Ghraib to Baghdad Airport looked like a scene out of Apocalype Now, smoldering US fuel trucks, torn up highway, not a soul in the street. I was as nervous as I've ever been in the past year, but we made it safe and sound. Whew! First and foremost, I want to thank all of you who supported me through this extrememly difficult endeavor. Mostly my mother and step-father, who supported me mentally, spiritually and even physically -- when the Army didn't issue me body armor, they went out and bought me a $660 bulletproof vest! My morale has been high and my morale has been low. There were whole weeks that went by when I couldn't even force a smile. Then I'd get a care package, or a nice letter or email, and I'd perk right up. High morale is a big factor in alertness, and alertness is a big factor in getting home in one piece. Your love and support really got me through this thing. Thank you!!! Here's a brief synopsis of my tour in Iraq. First, we brought law and order to a city of one million people, [...], and trained and supervised it's entire police force. We raided buildings, served warrants, and like true police officers, visited the many pastry shops of [...]. Next, at Abu Ghraib, my squad of eight soldiers provided convoy security for more than two thousand miles of convoys all over Iraq. Your's truly was the machine gunner in the Humvee turret. The company, 150 soldiers strong, provided more than 100,000 miles of convoy security. I completed tasks as menial as burning human feces in 120 degree summer heat, and tasks as important as commanding a convoy of 60 soldiers, including seven self-important colonels, into downtown Baghdad (that was fun). Then we ran the Abu Ghraib prison. I supervised cell block [...(not cell block 1)], with a staff of [a handful of] under-motivated Iraqi police (mostly criminals themselves, to tell the truth), and [a few hundred] prisoners. The prisoners respected me, and some actually cried when I left, because I respected them (novel concept, George Bush might try it sometime). But I kicked ass and took names when necessary. Abu Ghraib was a favorite target for insurgents, who attacked with mortars at least 50 times during our stay, even hitting the building I was staying in last week (everyone was OK). I lost 20 pounds in the hot hot summer, gained 30 pounds in the winter, and lost 20 more in preparation for my return home. I lost one girl, and thanks to the Internet, found another (perhaps;-)). While my adrenal gland will need time to recover after a year of unparalleled excitement and danger, I also dealt with levels of monotony I couldn't even have imagined before -- 12-hour guard tower shifts, midnight to 4am at the prison. I became close friends with soldiers in my company and the Iraqis with whom we worked. And I felt the sadness and sinking reality of losing members of my batalion and attending a field memorial service, something that I will never forget. Iraq is a mess. It is a failure because politicians have been making the decisions from Day One, instead of the military men on the ground. At the prison, the politicians in charge decreed that soldiers weren't even allowed to punish the prisoners. Of course we ignored them and did what we wanted instead. But the new cycle of troops has taken the "hands off" approach the politicians wanted. And Iraq has been plunged into chaos. I'm thrilled to be going home. Living in these extremely difficult conditions makes me appreciate everything I have in the States. My plans for the summer include working for the Kerry campaign, a trip to Europe, buying a car and a condominium. But mostly just relaxing and enjoying life with my friends and family. I should be in the States in late April and released from duty by May 1. Hope to see you all soon! Thanks again for all your support!
John

Fri, 25 Jun 2004 11:56:43 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 6 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Fwd: Five years ago
Date: April 2004
To: Family

John wrote me from Iraq with a response to a memorial I'd written for his father. Fair warning: This will bring tears to your eyes.

From: PI's Mom
Subject: Fwd: Five years ago
Date: April 2004
To: Family To the survivors of Martin, As I attended a meeting this morning, I was reminded that today is the anniversary of Martin's burial, which was (appropriately, according to his children) on April Fools Day. (I think it had something to do with his habit of zigging when everyone else zagged.) At the meeting, a friend remarked that when the church finds someone who has no interest in amassing wealth or power, it doesn't know what to do with him, so it makes him a saint. I thought, of course, of Martin and of the original Martin, who cut his cloak in two to share with a beggar. Here are the Bible verses I read at Martin's grave on the anniversary of his death: Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand , Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me : I was in prison and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungered and fed thee? or thirsty and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in? or naked and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25: 34-40. The last verse, of course, is the one found on an index card taped to Martin's mirror. It has since been referenced on his tombstone and adopted as a email signature by his son John. Let's hear it for our brother! Love,
PI's Mom
From: John
Date: April 2004
To: PI's Mom
Subject: RE: Five years ago Dear Aunt [...], Just checked my email. Thank you for the touching message. You are certainly the poet laureate of the [extended] family. :-) For me, my father lives on in my conscience. He gave me such a clear picture of right and wrong, a moral compass to live by. And he always did his own thing. So when I found myself running a cell block with 300 inmates in an Iraqi prison and encountered a tough situation, I would think to myself, "What would Dad do?" :-) My mantra at the prison was that I would tell the prisoners, every day, "I respect you -- your religion, your culture, your way of life, everything -- I respect you." And of course, they had to show me that same level of respect and if they didn't they would be punished. I never had a problem. Never once had to call for backup. On my last day, some of the inmates actually cried and tried to kiss me when I told them I was leaving. Then, days after we turned the prison over to a new MP company, there was a riot on my old cell block and an inmate was shot and killed by the MPs. Very sad, tragic... You know I've made it through this thing (so far) without ever having to fire a bullet. And I think I've treated every Iraqi I've encountered with dignity and respect. I think my Dad would be proud of me... In any case, thanks again for the beautiful message. And I hope to see you at [my sister]'s wedding! Love,
John

Wed, 23 Jun 2004 11:53:40 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 5 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Fwd: News from John
Date: February 2004
To: Family

Dear All, I'm forwarding a whole series of exchanges between John in Iraq and my sister. John's signature "Matthew 25:40" was his late father's favorite Bible verse, now carved on his tombstone. [-- PI's Mom]

From: John's and PI's Aunt
Date: February 2004
To: Family
Subject: News from John

It looks like John will be home in April!

From: John
Sent: 2/2004
To: John's and PI's Aunt
Subject: A small favor

Hello Aunt [...], It's your nephew John, still in Iraq. :( I need to ask a small favor. I am ordering a new car through a military program and I need to have it delivered to my address in the states. This creates a problem, because I don't have an address in [your state] anymore. Could I use your address as my home address and have the car delivered there? It would help simplify thing for me. Also, what is your address (that would probably important information)? As for Iraq, I can't wait to get out of here. The good news is I got promoted -- I run my very own cell block at Abu Ghraib Prison (not too many law students can say that :). It's good, I tell the prisoners that I will treat them like men as long as they act like men. We have a good "understanding." Although I did just get this crazy guy who eats light bulbs in my cell block, he's a "challenge." Alright, that's all from here. Love,
John "Whatever you do for the least of my brethren, you do for me."
--Mathew 25:40
From: John's and PI's Aunt
Sent: 2/2004
To: John
Subject: RE: A small favor

John, We could use a new car. Is it something that [my husband] would like to drive? :) You can have the car delivered to us at [my address]. Our home number is [555-555-1212]. Let us know what you order and when it's being delivered, so we can make sure you get the right car. Hopefully you'll be home to drive it yourself soon. Did you get my latest care package with the one dollar bills? Anything else that you need over there? Take Care, [your Aunt]
From: John
Sent: 2/2004
To: PI's Aunt
Subject: RE: A small favor

Well, Aunt [...], it's a brand new Mustang Convertable -- they knocked $10,000 off it for my service in Iraq (ain't that nice ... but I think I should get FREE gasoline for the rest of my life, too). :) I'll take you and [your husband] for a spin in it if you like. You know it's my first car in FIVE YEARS. But I deserve it after this whole ordeal. I think I'll be out of here to Kuwait in early April, then home in late April. I'll use your address as my "home of record" and secondary delivery location. I'm trying to get it delivered to [...], where I'll be for my first week back on April 26. Thanks for you help! Love,
John

Mon, 21 Jun 2004 12:23:39 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 4 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: John
Date: January 2004
To: PI

Dear [PI], Grandma told me yesterday that John called her from Iraq the day before. He was distraught. He had just received a "Dear John" letter from [his fiancee], breaking off the engagement. I feel utterly confident that John will find a good woman who loves him, and that he will become a good husband and a good father. It's just hard for him to see that now. Thought you'd want to know. Love,
Mom

Fri, 18 Jun 2004 11:22:58 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 3 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Letters from John
Date: November 2003
To: Family

Dear Guys, My sister transcribed these letters from John. He is no longer in [...]. He is now guarding a prisoner of war camp in Baghdad. Love, Mom ==================================================

Dear Aunt [...] and Uncle [...], Thanks for the mail! It's a big morale boost. Things are good here. The temperature has dropped down to the 80s. The prison's getting crazy - There have been 4 prison breaks in a week! Good thing we only do escorts to Baghdad. I'm ready to go home, but it looks like I'm here till May. I should be home for leave sometime in December/January and will definitely visit Philly. Love, John P.S. - I enclosed a letter to Grandma because I lost her address. Thanks.

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Dear Grandma, Hello! How are you? Things are great here in [the southern Shiite city]. No idea when we're headed home, though. :( When I get back, I'd like to invite you (and whoever in the [extended family] is interested) to visit the WWII Memorial in DC. I think it should be open by the spring. I could throw on my dress uniform and be your personal escort. The longer I spend in Iraq, the more [my fiance] and I are understanding what it must have been like for your generation. Four months has been tough. I couldn't imagine four years! We still have no idea when we're going home. There's a rumor going around that it could be NEXT MAY! There's no use being depressed about it, though. I'm just trying to be productive.

(continued Oct 20, 2003)

Hello from Abu Ghraib prison! I am entering my 9th month of the deployment and 6th month in Iraq. And Rumsfeld says our military isn't overextended. Ha! So the logical conclusion is that he PLANNED for reservists to do 16-month deployments (yeah right). What a mess! Bush and Cheney and Rumsfeld love sacrifice - as long as it's someone else's sacrifice. But I still believe in our mission here. We need a full-scale "Marshall Plan" and the $187 million Bush asked for will provide that. (Adjusted to inflation, rebuilding Iraq will cost MORE THAN the actual Marshall Plan.) The fact that we have almost no international support is the killer. (Mongolia did send 10 troops. :) ) The "Coalition of the Willing" is a total joke. Anyway, conditions here are improving. It's 100 degrees during the day instead of 140 degrees. At night, it gets down to the 60s. The prison isn't bad, actually. My cell is nice (yes, I live in an actual prison cell). We hooked up showers and electricity and we're getting A/C (5 months too late) and heat soon. We're getting a big screen TV and ping pong table. People are starting to go home for 15 days of R&R leave. The selection process is totally subjective, so if I don't come up with a big crisis, I might not get picked. I'm [a very low-ranking] person in the company, so I thought I'd go first, but they're letting old guys go first because they've got kids. If I were 30 or 40, I wouldn't even think of going home in front of the young soldiers I'm in charge of. Oh well, George Bush better appreciate everything I'm doing for him! Yeah, right! My platoon has an interesting mission. We're providing escorts to Baghdad. It's a pretty advanced city (compared to the rest of Iraq). About half the women don't cover their hair. I've seen 3 Catholic churches. Saddam's Baghdad palace is beautiful. I got to sit in his chair - we hang out by the pool there. The Internet is $2/hour and the food is good. We're also getting armored Humvees soon. Right now I'm just on "cruise control", trying not to dwell on the fact that I'm still here. I'm trying to read my law books and write letters and exercise. There's no use in moping around all day. Anyway, I appreciate all the letters and packages. As Bush would say, "Bring 'em on!" Love,
John

==================================================

Dear [a younger cousin], I love getting all of your well-written letters! They always raise my spirits! You asked if it's still hot. Well, one day in late October, it was 100 degrees, then the next day, it was 70 degrees! Can you believe that? Most days are about 85 degrees now, which isn't bad. Our job is driving back and forth to Baghdad from the prison we stay at. We take prisoners to court or to the hospital. Or we take "important" people to meetings in Baghdad. Sometimes, we go to Saddam's palace in Baghdad and I get to hang out at his pool. It's huge! I even got to sit in his chair! How's middle school? I bet it's a lot different from elementary school. What's your favorite subject? Mine was social studies. I enclosed six 250-dinar notes - Iraqi money - for you, [your brother], [your sister] and [your sister]'s friends. I look forward to more letters! Love,
John

==================================================

Dear [another younger cousin], Thanks for the letters! They really make my day! You asked if there are schools in Iraq. There are lots of schools in Iraq, just like America. The boys wear a white shirt and black pants and the girls wear a white shirt and black skirt to school. The students had to tear out all of the pictures of Saddam Hussein from their textbooks. America is making new textbooks for the Iraqi students. America also gave the students free bookbags and pens and pencils and paper and a calculator. Many of the students are very poor and can't afford a bookbag. I liked the letters from your friends. Friends are important and it's always good to be making more and more friends. I wrote a letter to your friends and enclose three 250-dinar notes - Iraqi money - for them. It's worth 10 cents in American money! I've met lots of new friends in Iraq. Iraqis are VERY friendly people. Even a man who made $1 a day offered me half of his sandwich once! I'll visit [your city] when I'm home and tell lots of stories and answer any of the questions you have! Love,
John P.S. - How're the music lessons going? P.S.S. - Most of the girls cover their hair with a scarf because it's a Muslim tradition.

==================================================

Dear [yet another younger cousin], Hey buddy! Thanks for your letters! Your mom sent me a picture of you. You're getting big! What's your favorite sport? Mine is basketball/baseball/football - all 3! Iraq is fun but I miss home. I've been gone for 9 months! Maybe when you get older, you can join the Army. The Army could pay for college -- your parents would love that! See you soon, buddy! Love,
John

Wed, 16 Jun 2004 11:38:13 GMT

One Soldier's Story: Part 2 I've begun a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist and I would like to support him by serializing his story, mostly in his own words. If you missed the beginning of this story, you can link to it here. Thanks for reading. ================================================== From: PI's Mom
Subject: Letter from Iraq
Date: September 2003
To: Family

Dear All,

John asked me to distribute the following letter, which I transcribed from his hand writing. (Actually, he is, like his father, more of a printer than a writer.) He begins by thanking me for some stuff I sent and then continues:

I'm lucky to be in one of the safest cities in Iraq: [...]. The people greet us with big smiles and cheers and yell "I love you America." Saddam was very cruel to the Shiites who live here (90% of the pop.) as evidenced by the mass graves on the outskirts of town. We've trained the entire police force here, but they need a lot more training--they're always saying "I'm afraid." Could you imagine an American cop saying that? They'd be out of work. But anyway I'm so sorry I missed [my cousin's] wedding. Everyone has told me it was great fun. Best of luck to him and his bride. My wedding is planned for summer 2005 probably in the [...] area where my fiance is from. I think that my father would be proud of what I'm doing here. Every day I wave to literally hundreds of Iraqis, showing them that we are their friend. We try to teach the police integrity, and that they are there to help the community (not terrorize the community.) No more bribes, no more brutality, we tell them. And they're listening and improving. I'm also working on starting a partnership between my university and the college here. I've got both sides talking, so that's a success in itself. I hate watching all the negative news on Iraq. (We have satellite TV.) As much as I want Bush out of office for lying about our motive for being here, we freed 25 million people from a suffocating tyranny. There are a million more positive stories in this country than negative stories. But the media doesn't care about "good news." Americans need to be rallying in support of Iraq--sending aid and expertise. It's an unprecedented opportunity to bring self-determination to the Middle East. Anyway . . . here's some of the highlights of my stay here:

A boy let me ride his donkey. :) The next day someone shot the donkey. :(

Grand tour of Saddam's Babylon Palace. It's as absurd as you could imagine.

Tours of the ancient ruins of Babylon, much of which Saddam destroyed.

Playing against the national champion basketball team (losing twice.) People on the street recognize me from the games.

150 degree heatwave

losing 20 lbs (See above.)

Waking up at 3:20 am everyday for my shift

Arresting a former Iraqi colonel (made the news.)

Escorted one of the "55 most wanted" to court. He was a real nice guy.

Ate at some great Iraqi restaurants.

Served under the Marine Division that took Baghdad during the war.

Purchased a replica of Saddam Hussein's military uniform, which I'll wear for Halloween.

Prepared for a raid in which Saddam was the target (never went off.) We had hundreds of troops and over a dozen vehicles ready but it was called off at the last minute.

There's lots more where those stories came from--I almost feel sorry for my future children. Heaven forbid they ever say they're hot! Luckily, it's cooled down to about 115 degrees during the day here, hardy har har. Well, that's all from the front lines. I look forward to seeing you at Thanksgiving (my fingers are crossed) or Christmas. Love,
John P.S. I'd appreciate if you could perhaps send copies of this letter to some of the extended family. P.P.S. Enclosed is an Iraqi 250 dinar note, worth about 15 cents.

Mon, 14 Jun 2004 13:09:26 GMT

One Soldier's Story I've decided to begin a new project here at Patriotically Incorrect. My cousin (we'll call him John) is an Army Reservist, and I would like to help him tell his story. John's father (we'll call him Martin) worked for the welfare office in New York for most of his life, and instilled in John a profound ethic of public service. Martin died relatively young just a few years ago, and left John in shaky financial straits in the middle of his higher education. He joined the Reserves in the wake of the September 11 attacks, to serve his country in its time of need. He felt that he was doing what his father taught him to do. My mom points out that with mounting student loans, the GI bill probably didn't hurt his decision either. When he enlisted, he was told that the Reserves wanted him to finish his education before they activated him. Whether or not that's what they actually wanted when they recruited him, it's not what happened. With the invasion of Iraq, he was called up and sent out. His tour of duty, as I write this, has been extended twice and is in its eighteenth month. Over the months, members of the family have had sporadic correspondence with him; more or less frequent depending on where he was stationed. While John was never a big fan of our current President, he strongly believed in the job that he was doing when he arrived in Iraq. As time has gone on, his experiences in the occupation have caused a steady shift in the tone of his letters. We are always admonished these days to "support the troops." I know one of our troops, and I would like to support him by telling his story, mostly in his own words. I'll be publishing a series of posts quoting John's letters and correspondence between members of our family with news of John. To protect the anonymity of all involved, I will be redacting some references to specific names and places, which I will usually indicate with square brackets. Thank you in advance for reading John's story.