Letter From My Dad In Iraq

[MercurE1]

I thought some people might be interested in reading a letter i got today from my dad. The letter is post marked March 15 2003. This was 5 days before the start. I am going to type it out but remove anything i do not think should be broadcasted.

Dear Me:
Well hos is the world treating you. I am still here I know you watch the news and know there is not a war. The politicians in Washington DC and the rest of the world are a bunch of pussies. Let us start this thing and get it over with. The old ssaying Kick ass and take no prisoners. That way i can get home sooner.
Part of the Unit has moved north to Camp ____ about 20 miles south of the border. we are here until this war gets started. Just watch the news after that. Atomic bomb on Baghdad would suit me just fine.
I am here with 100 port o potties, showers in single wide trailers, washing clothes in plastic baisins and living in a tent. Count your blessings Life can and will get worse. MRE's (Meals ready to eat) REALLY suck
I have a satelite phone now but don't call the charge is 1.45 a minute, i use it to call (his wife) and for emergencies. I call her everyday for 2-10 minutes, just enough to let her know i am ok. I just have to figure out what time it is in (his hometown)
I am going to try and ride home from kuwait on the ship that takes our helicopters back to the states since you can't c-5 the choppers, that way i get to travel a bit while i am doing my required year of active duty.
Take care tell your brother i am sorry about missing his graduation and send your sister a card since she graduates in june. I love you and hope to see you soon.

(his name)

End

I hope that someone who reads this will understand what the people over there are going through and understand how it affects the people close to them. Then try and trash our troops.... and i will deal with ya.

Merc

[newmex]

Hope your dad comes back soon & safe. Sincerely!... newmex

[scuba_ed]

Well I'm very greatful for people like your dad, and I will keep them all in mind. If anyone has the nerve to bash our guys or are country around me they best be big and best know how to box.

[crownvic]

Best wishes to your father Merc and I hope all that have family over there return safely... I am proud of all the Brits and Americans that are risking their lives,there is no question in my mind that we have the cream of the crop over there..

[cleancards]

It's Dads like yours that made America........ America !

God speed with his safe return........

[milogone]

Thanks for putting that up;)
Be sure and tell him we ECMed Iraq tv! LOL...
I like his attitude he's who we need on the job;)

[gibletbutt]

tell your dad that my family and i say thank you!

[Luv2H8]

Same here. Your Dad is a brave man and I am very grateful for men like him tyring to do the right thing. Your Dad has my utmost respect and he will be kept in my prayers.

[Farmer Dawn]

Amen, its people like your dad and my brother ( he is there also ) and the rest of the troops that have to kick Saddem's hinny and come back home safely. and remember this : Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.;)

[ARMY-57]

my family & i also thank your father & so should my country CANADA

[djc33]

My God watch over all the allied troops. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks,
djc33
aka thedirtyjobs

[ozzy67]

May God strengthen your Father in his righteous mission.
By the way MercurE1, where exactly is your Dad in Iraq(if you can say).

[MercurE1]

Btw Guys i want to say thanks for the kind comments, I have worked at the same restaurant for 3 years and so most of the regular customers are friends of mine, and no matter how much of a "man" i am it still helps to have people who really care and ask about my dad and how he is doing. Well for one my dad is now a f-ing celebrity, he met (i know i know) Tom brokaw, ted kopel, and yes... drum roll please... geraldo rivera. I talk to my stepmom every couple of days to find out what he is telling her.

Well this is what i know. He is deep inside iraq. He has done at least 4 medivacs. The first day he did two, one at night and one during the day. The night one he flew over a division of M1 tanks firing at something that stopped firing back. Some Army, and Marines decided to treat humvees like they were well 4 wheelers and rolled em. So he had to come in and pull their butts out back to kuwaitt.

He did a medivac on wednesday that ended up with him in Udari where he was grounded for a day or so until the sandstorm left. The best thing about that was he got a warm shower (first in a week) and got some clean clothes and food. Also he got to sleep for more than 2 hours. (remember my dad is 50 so he is not the young guys we are) He is a bastard when tired, i know cause i am just like him. To be honest with you guys, if i was not blind as a bat (i wear glasses) I would be there probably flying off a carrier or in a blackhawk next to my dad.

I got to spend a few days with him in fort hood texas and was wishing i could be there with him. I still have not decided on whether i am gonna use my tax refund to get my eyes fixed so i can sign up for basic to go to flight school or not. I just am ranting and raving because you guys will listen. Thanks again for the messages they help a lot.

Ozzy my dad is from what i gather about 50 miles from bagdad, his first letter i did not post because i did not want to give away any operationl stuff but his unit was tasked to "see baghdad from the inside" as he said. He is attached to the 3rd ID but is going anywhere they need to pull someone out.

Rant over Thanks for listening

Merc

[stuffy]

Hey Merc-

Let your Dad know that there are an awful lot of Canadians who really are behind him and the Coalition. We are praying for them daily. In fact, there was a "Pro-American" Rally in Ottawa - our country's capitol with about 5,000 people all dressed in the US flag, R/W/B everything. It was pretty impressive to see, unfortunately it did not get much air time in the states though......

God Bless you and your family too!

Stuffy

[MercurE1]

Yea i watched the news the other day when the marines got captured and taken as POW's and on a national news program 2 mins were set aside for that story, while 10 mins were shown for anti war protests. I hope everyone saw the interview given by Peter Arnett today. He went on Iraqi TV to claim that the first war plan had been defeated and well, his broadcasts were helping the anitwar movement. So much for being an independent reporter of the news. I for one was disgusted by these statements. I just wanted to say thanks for all you guys who are backing up these brave men and women over in the gulf

On another note, i am not claiming this to be truth but see i keep hearing comparisons of bush to hitler... i have even heard one member here make that statement. That is their right, and although it kind of offends me it is not my place to tell this person what to believe, but here is an interesting article to read. See Sadam has his special republican guard out with the regular troops to ensure that they do not surrender or try and leave. If the regular troops did then their familys would be killed and they would be killed if found. Hmmmm now that sounds like hitlers SS group but to compare, read this short articleshort article (http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-2521649,00.html) It explains about two soldiers who get lost in the desert and are never "picked up" when their truck breaks down, but in the end read the last paragraph and then tell me that were are being forced to do this stuff. Then tell me how Bush is Hilter. Please. It is a great example of the kind of people we owe our freedoms to... Both me and my friends to the north.

P.S. Did you all know that Canada actually started fighting in WWI before the americans did? Interesting fact, one that shows the friends to the north have some big cohones too.

[Bone Daddy]

Any word from Dad????Don't want this thread to go away before we know he's doing fine and be home in time for football season...

[yrddog]

Hell Yeah Merc...Hope he is doing good bro...I was over there 6 months for the 1st one, but it looks like it is a hell of alot more hectic this time around. Hope he is safe and sound!!! Semper Fi!!

[MercurE1]

I got an email two nights ago telling me no updates cause the sat phones are banned for the next few days, then the 3rd ID takes Karbala, i kind of saw that comming, and knew that the republican guard was in for a fight. I have not heard much, but spent some time shopping for some snacks i am gonna send over to him. I am just waiting and watching, I know he is near karbala now, but nothing more. Trust me he is a BIG san Francisco fan so i know he will not let the war go that long, lol.

[ARMY-57]

any word from dad¿

[Muggles]

MercurE1, just your Private Messages.

Hang in there.;)