Re: Christmas message from my nephew

That's wonderful Tricia, God bless all our servicemen and women and bring them all home safe.

Pam Evans
Kemp, TX
zone 8A
----- Original Message -----
From: pdickson
Sent: 12/27/2004 2:09:28 PM
To: gardenchat@hort.net
Subject: [CHAT] Christmas message from my nephew

I thought I would share this with all of you.  I appreciate all that 
everyone has done to make their time in Iraq some better.
Tricia
Ho, Ho, Ho, everyone from scenic Camp Fallujah!!

 Christmas came and went here with a drizzle from the sky.  But don't worry, 
we deconflicted the air strikes and clearing operations so that Santa could 
still fly his sleigh in.  We even provided LZ (landing zone) security while 
he offloaded his cargo and had Cobra helicopters on a 15-minute alert. J

 Even far away in this predominately Muslim country, we celebrated Christmas 
this evening with turkey, prime rib, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry 
sauce, and even egg nog!  While not a 5-star feast, it was a sight better 
than MRE's or "tray-rations" (hard to explain. rather like bulk MRE's heated 
then served on a plate) which we have been dining on lately. There were 
stockings hung with care (even inside my Hummer. pictures will be in another 
email. my camera is on the fritz) and a bite in the air.  Amazingly, none of 
the Marines received sticks and coal; rather, they were stuffed with candy 
galore.

 We've started letting civilians back into the city and it has been, well, 
interesting to say the least.  There's nothing quite as ironic as the US 
providing security and bus transportation so the mujahadeen can come 
strolling back into the city after we've pretty much decimated the current 
population of terrorists and former regime elements.  Most of the Marines 
here understand that this effort is for the greater good and continue to 
plug away.  Oh well. I don't want this email to sound glum or disheartened. 
Much is going well here and progress is being made.  Hopefully, the 
"Fallujahans" will see what happens when they support terrorists and won't 
do it anymore.

 On a brighter note, I've received an abundance of cards and letters wishing 
us a Merry Christmas and while, unfortunately, I don't have much time to 
write letters (Just ask Tonya how many she's received), I hope you know how 
much you all mean to me.  The letters continuously bring a smile to my face 
and memories of better times spent with my wonderful family and friends. 
Keep 'em coming!  I'm truly amazed at the amount of support that has poured 
from across the nation to our small platoon.  Thank you all so much!

 May blessings be abundant this holiday season to you and yours!

 With much love,

Russ

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