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	THE MILITARY PAGE HONORING THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES Click Here for a Tribute to the troops LETTERS AND PICTURES FROM OUR TROOPS
6-1-05 From George Burns: HI ALL-AS WE TAKE TIME TO HONOR OUR FALLEN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, I WANT TO WISH ALL OF YOU THE VERY BEST AND HOPE THIS NOTE FINDS ALL OF YOU IN GOOD HEALTH IN THE PAST 2 WEEKS SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED IN MY LIFE. I GOT A NEW LOWER PLATE FROM MY DENTIST THAT I COULD NOT GET IN BAGHDAD. I ALSO GOT 2 NEW HEARING AIDS FROM THE HOSPITAL AT WEST POINT. AS FOR MY KNEE THAT GOT HURT IN TAJI THE MRI CAME OUT BAD AND I WILL UNDERGO SURGERY AT WEST POINT ON JUNE 14TH.AS OF WED. MAY 25TH I AM BACK ON ACTIVE DUTY ASSIGNED TO C CO. MED HOLD BATTALION AT FT. DIX NJ. I AM ON A 4 DAY WEEKEND NOW AND MUST REPORT BACK FOR TUESDAY. I'M FINALLY GETTING THE GREAT CARE THE ARMY IS KNOWN FOR. I ASK THAT YOU KEEP ME IN YOUR PRAYERS TILL I'M BACK TO 100%-MY REHAB TIME IS EXPECTED TO BE 6 MONTHS, THEN HOPEFULLY BACK TO CO. B IN THE JERSEY GUARD. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND. BURNS OUT.
4-15-05 From Mike Abrams: Thank you very much for all the letters and packages that you and the Jefferson Township Fire Company have sent. Those packages were distributed to all the Marines and we are all very grateful for your support and the time you've all spent putting together these packages. As you can imagine, a lot of those basic items can go a really long way. A little about us: We are Lima Company, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines out of Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. We are currently in Jalal Abad, Afghanistan conducting stability and support operations. Afghanistan is an extremely austere nation that still has its good share of terrorists and Anti-Government Forces (AGF). So, there still is a need to have us here to support the multi-national governmental organizations who are trying to literally re-build the nation's infrastructure and government from scratch. The AGFs have been targeting Afghan government facilities and personalities with IED's and large rockets from a stand-off of 5-6km. Part of our job is to protect these facilities, people and other government organizations (by urging to local police force take the lead while we support them), and to track down the bad guys who conduct these attacks. We only have a few more months left before we head back. The weather is starting to get hot (80F) during the day. But there is still significant snow up north in the mountains. We are definitely making a positive difference and improving security here in our AO. Again, thank you for the packages and supporting us back home. Semper Fi, Lt Mike Abrams		4-20-05 From George Burns: HI ALL, JUST A QUICK BURNS REPORT. ME AND PUSSYCAT JUST GOT BACK FROM A LONG WEEKEND IN WASH. DC. I REALLY LIKED SEEING THE ARCHIVES, CAPITOL AND MEMORIALS AGAIN. WE ALSO VISITED THE NEW WW2,AND KOREAN MEMORIALS. AT THE VIETNAM WALL I LOOKED UP SOME OLD FRIENDS, ITS ALWAYS A MOVING TIME FOR ME. WE ALSO VISITED THE KENNEDY GRAVE SITES AND THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN-A FEMALE SGT WAS GUARDING THE AREA WHEN WE WERE THERE. AT ARLINGTON THERE'S A NEW MEMORIAL TO WOMEN IN THE ARMED FORCES, AND AT THAT SIGHT THERE WAS A NEW AREA SET ASIDE FOR THOSE KILLED IN IRAQ--A PAINTED PICTURE OF EVERYONE WHO DIED, THEY ARE UP TO FEB OF 2005 WITH NEW PAINTINGS EVERY WEEK. I WAS VERY MOVED, IT IS A BEAUTIFUL AREA WITH OVER 1500 PAINTINGS. I RETURN TO WORK TOMORROW, AND HAVE 3 APPOINTMENTS AT WEST POINT ON THE 25TH.I WILL BE GETTING 2 HEARING AIDS, A MRI, AND DENTAL REFERRALS. IT IS WONDERFUL TO BE HOME WITH PUSSYCAT,4 DAUGHTERS, AND 7 GRANDCHILDREN. I AGAIN WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR ALL THE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS OVER THE LAST YEAR. GOD BLESS AMERICA. BURNS OUT.
From Charles Shuck Dear friends, I have finally made it to Texas.................I got in about 6 hours ago and am ready or bed...............got to see snow for the first time when I stopped in Bangor, Maine on the way to fort Hood......We had an awesome welcome home, thank you COL Bruzese.........I had pizza for dinner and it felt good to breathe some good air for once and not have to wear goggles on my eyes or a kevlar on my head......I am looking forward to my leave in PA and ME here in the upcoming weeks...........I hope I get to see all of you..............Chuck		From George Burns March 15th HI ALL: SORRY ABOUT THE BIG DELAY BUT WE HAD NO COMPUTER ACCESS IN FT, BRAGG-IT WAS BETTER IN IRAQ THAN THERE!! THE 4TH PLATOON IS ALL HOME SAFE. WE HAD A BIG PARADE AND CELEBRATION IN DOVER NJ. ON SUNDAY THEN IT WAS HOME TO OUR FAMILIES. I AM SAD TO INFORM YOU THAT SGT. WILLIAM BLAHUT LOST HIS BATTLE WITH CANCER LAST THURSDAY-WE WERE AT HIS WAKE YESTERDAY, AND HIS FUNERAL TODAY. HE WILL FOREVER BE MISSED-WE LOST A BROTHER IN ARMS. HE LEFT BAGHDAD IN SEPTEMBER AND FOUGHT A TOUGH BATTLE EVER SINCE. THE REST OF US HAVE SOME MEDICAL ISSUES THAT WERE PASSED OFF TO THE VA. WE FEEL A LITTLE CHEATED BY THE ARMY-A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE PROMISED TO US JUST DID NOT HAPPEN-WE WERE PUSHED OUT THE DOOR AND NOW MUST TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES. BUT ENOUGH OF THAT. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS AND CONCERNS-PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WE CAME THROUGH A VERY BAD TIME INTACT. THANK ALL OF YOU AND GOD BLESS OUR GREAT COUNTRY. BURNS OUT.
From Ron O'Brien: Hello. I got your post on the yahoo group. I went home on leave for 2 weeks. It was very relaxing. Hopefully we will start to wrap up this tour in July or August. I brought your disposable camera home with me so I could have the photos developed. The pictures should be in the mail if you haven't gotten them already. Alright, thanks for staying in touch and thanks again for everything. Take care. Ron O'Brien		From Charles Shuck: Just want to update you on what is going on with me coming home ....Tomorrow I will fly from my camp here to another camp for a few days and then off to Kuwait where they said we will be there for a few days and they are expecting us in Texas bewteen the 10th and the 12th of March...Even though we are scheduled 2 days more than expected my leave will stay the same.....I will be in PA from 2-12 April and will get to celebrate my 26th birthday with my family, but more importantly I will get to see my little brother turn 5...I will then travel to Buckfield Miane from the 13th to the 19th to see a very special community......We had a huge thunderstorm today and it was pretty ugly..........Please keep those prayers coming for everyone over here and in Afganistan (CSM Green and his crew) and for the 170th Military police Company, they took our spots here in Baghdad.....I will write to you all again when I reach Texas...until then, keep those jokes and emails coming......God bless you all Chuck
From GEorge Burns: HI ALL:JUST WANTED TO LET ALL OF YOU KNOW I'M HOME SAFE.ARRIVED 28TH AT 1430HRS.NO COMPUTER TIME BUT WILL GIVE GOOD UPDATE SOON. THANKS FOR ALL THE PRAYERS,THEY WORKED. FEELING GREAT- THE WHOLE 4TH PLATOON IS TO. BURNS OUT.
From George Burns HI ALL AS YOU KNOW WERE HAVING A ROUGH DAY JUST TRYING TO GET OUT OF HERE. THEN WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE COMPANY THAT TOOK OVER FOR US HAS SUFFERED 2 COMBAT DEATHS--THE NEWS HAS HIT US VERY HARD, JUST KNOWING THAT THE SAME PEOPLE WE BRIEFED AND RODE WITH LAST WEEK ARE NO LONGER WITH US. THE NEWS WAS IN THE STARS AND STRIPES NEWSPAPER TODAY. THE ENTIRE 4TH PLATOON IS ASKING THAT YOU STILL REMEMBER US IN YOUR PRAYERS AT THIS TIME. DEATH IN WAR IS ALWAYS SAD, BUT TO US WHEN ANOTHER HET DRIVER DIES WE TAKE IT LIKE FAMILY. THE 377TH TRANS CO WILL NEED ALL YOUR PRAYERS TO. WE STILL HAVE NO WORD ON A FINAL DESTINATION OR DATE TO FLY YET--WE ARE STILL HOPING AND PRAYING FOR THE 26TH.I WILL TRY TO KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED. BURNS OUT.		From George Burns HI ALL: JUST A QUICK UPDATE. WE ARE 3 DAYS TILL DEPARTURE AND NO TICKETS YET. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DEMOB AT FT. EUSTIS VA., BUT OUR LEADERSHIP WANTS US TO DEMOB AT FT. BRAGG NC. WITH ALL THE SWITCHING AROUND WE MAY LOSE OUR PLANE. WE ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE IF THEY CAN MESS US UP 1 LAST TIME. THEY ARE TRYING TO BE SELFISH AND BE CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILIES WITH NO-REPEAT NO REGARD FOR US. WE ARE HAVING MAJOR MORAL PROBLEMS AT THIS TIME-THEY ARE PITTING 1/2 THE COMPANY AGAINST THE OTHER 1/2.I STILL HOPE WE CAN GET OUT OF HERE ON THE 26TH NO MATTER WHERE WE GO. THE 4TH PLATOON IS WONDERING WHY AFTER ALL WE DID FOR THE YEAR ARE WE BEING TOYED WITH NOW. WE ALL JUST WANT TO GET HOME TO OUR FAMILIES AND BE REUNITED AT THE EARLIEST POSSIBLE DATE. WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED. BURNS OUT.
From: Charles Shuck 20 days and counting!!! I hope everyone is having a great Valentine's Day..............Mine was just like every other day here, but then again, not looking for love in Iraq anyways lol............I just want to remind everyone to stop sending mail and packages to me..........I do appreciate it deeply as do all the soldiers, but I have to say, there is no greater love than what the Panther Valley and Buckfield areas show their soldiers!!.........................I will be in Panther Valley from April 2nd to the 12th and then traveling to Buckfield, Maine from the 12th to the 19th...........I cannot stress enough how much I am thankful for you all being there for me this past year especially with email, I love getting emails and I hope to see everyone when I am on leave, my home phone is ....., please call me!!!...........well trake care and be safe and continue to pray for all the troops over here and say an extra prayer for the 410th Military Police Company that we leave on time with no extensions!!		From George Burns: HI ALL:JUST A QUICK MESSAGE TO LET YOU ALL KNOW THE ENTIRE 4TH PLATOON IS SAFE IN KUWAIT.WE HAVE BEEN HERE AT CAMP DOHA THE LAST 3 DAYS WORKING DAY AND NIGHT TO GET OUR HETS CLEAN AND READY FOR THE SHIP.IT TAKES ABOUT 16-18 HOURS PER TRACTOR AND TRAILER-THERE ARE SO MANY PLACES FOR MUD TO HIDE,BUT THE INSPECTORS KNOW ALL THE HIDDEN PLACES.WE STILL FLY OUT THE 26TH,BUT ARE STILL NOT SURE IF ITS FT.EUSTIS OR FT.BRAGG NC.WE ARE ALL VERY TIRED AND STRESSED OUT AT THIS POINT,BUT KNOW THAT THE END IS INDEED NEAR.WE WILL BE GOING BACK TO CAMP VICTORY TILL WE GET OUT OF HERE.I DO WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HELP,SUPPORT AND PRAYERS OVER THE LAST YEAR.WE LOST NO SOLDIERS,BUT WENT THROUGH SOME REALLY CLOSE CALLS.WE ALL MISS NEW JERSEY AND OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS.I HOPE TO SEE OR TALK TO MANY OF YOU REAL SOON.I STILL HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS BEFORE I'M TOTALLY RELEASED FROM ACTIVE DUTY::KNEE OPERATION,HEARING LOSS FROM FIRING TO MUCH FROM THE CAB OF MY TRUCK.I WILL KEEP ON
Ron O'Brien in Iraq.
Sun, 06 Feb 2005 From George Burns HI ALL:SORRY FOR THE DELAY IN UPDATES.WE HAVE MOVED OUT OF OUR BARRACKS AND INTO TRANSIT ONES,WE HAVE ALSO VACATED OUR MOTOR POOL.THE NEW UNIT IS HERE AND READY TO TAKE OVER SOME TIME THIS WEEK.WE WILL BE HEADING SOUTH TO KUWAIT THEN HOME WITHIN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS.WE STILL HAVE ELEMENTS OF THE 4TH PLATOON OUT ON MISSIONS,BUT THEY WILL BE IN SHORTLY.WE ARE ALL VERY HAPPY AT THIS TIME THOUGH A LOT OF WORK STILL REMAINS.WE HAVE A IRAQI GENERAL COMING HERE THIS WEEK TO HONOR THE 4TH PLATOON FOR OUR WORK IN SETTING UP THE 1ST MECH.BRIGADE.WE HAVE WORKED REAL HARD FOR THE PAST YEAR AND WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO TURN OVER OUR JOB TO THE INCOMING UNIT.THE 1452ND DROVE OVER 1 1/2 MILLION ,MILES IN THE PAST YEAR IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 1,2 AND 3.WE HAVE NO COMPUTERS NOW AND I STAND ON LONG LINES TO USE THE MWR ONES.I WILL TRY MY BEST TO KEEP ALL OF YOU UPDATED.PLEASE CONTINUE THE PRAYERS WE ARE STILL NOT IN A SECURE ZONE. BURNS OUT.
2-2-2005 From Bruce Hello all, This sunset is out by one of our camps, the one below is of the Kuwait Air Force museum on the military side of the Kuwait international airport I am on the left and am with LTC Morales and MSG Compitillo. Photos of our new tent



1-28-2005 From Charles Shuck Dear friends, Hope this email finds you all well and in good health..............I am happy to report they said tonight to let everyone know to stop sending us mail.....that means the end of the road is near...........I want to say thanks to all of you for supporting me the past 11 months here............when things got down here, somebody somewhere lifted me up with a card, package or a letter...........A single one page letter goes a long way when you are having a bad day and just need a little of home so I thank you.........I still have I belive around 39 days in country here and we are still working.........Our replacement are coming from the state of Washington and should be here around mid febuary to take over our workload............The police station I used to work at was hit with a car bomb today so please tonight say a prayer for those IP's (Iraqi Police) that I worked with for over 4 months because they truly were good guys fighting for what they believe in..........Note su re how the leave thing is going to work out once I return back to Texas but I am planning a 7 day stay in Pennsylvania in the valley and a 7 day trip to the state of Maine to visit a very special community that has treated me just like the valley........I would also like to say a special thank you to Andrew and all the firefighters of the Jefferson Township Fire Department out of New Jersey for taking care of us like they did, they must have sent us like 30 boxes of stuff so thank you..I would also like to thank the Panther Valley, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpw, Northern Lehigh and Lehighton School Districts along with The Hartford Sumner Elem School in Sumner, Maine....The next couple of days will be hectic here as we know the elections are going on...........Freedom isn't free, but most of us would stay here another 5 years straight if it meant our friends and families would be safe in the states waiting for us..........Keep the jokes coming as I do enjoy them all.........once a gain, thank you and God bless you and your families and please God continue to bless us, Your American and British Troops along with our President George W. Bush! Chuck
1-28-2005 From George Burns HI ALL-JUST SOME SNAPSHOTS OF THE DAY.EARLY WAKE UP,3RD MISSION IN 4 DAYS-LESS THAN A MONTH LEFT,THEIR KILLING US.PICK UP IRAQI ARMOR BATTALION,WERE OLD FRIENDS-WE KNOWALL OF THEM.RIDING DOWN THE ROADS WITH IRAQI ARMOR ON AND MANNED BY IRAQI'S THE PEOPLE ALL WAVE AND ARE SO HAPPY TO SEE THEIR COUNTRYMEN ARMED AND DANGEROUS ONCE AGAIN.BIG ELECTION WEEKEND-INSURGENTS TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE POLLS-DEATH THREATS-WE HAVE SUPER HEAVY SECURITY-DROP OFF IRAQI'S,PROBLEM WITH RETURN GUN TRUCKS-2 ATTACK CHOPPERS OVER US WITHIN MINUTES-NEW GUN TRUCKS RACE TO US-AS WE COME BACK ALL ROADS ARE BEING CLOSED-WE MAKE IT HOME SAFE-YEA!!!.COLD WATER IN SHOWER-MESS HALL,PX,PHONES,ALL CLOSED FOR WEEKEND-NO BIG TARGETS.FULL BATTLE RATTLE ON US FOR 24 HOURS A DAY TILL FURTHER NOTICE.REALLY TIRED-EARLY BEDTIME FOR WHOLE 4TH PLATOON. BURNS OUT.

1-27-2005 From SFC Calderon I received your correspondence and thank you for the phone card. We really appreciate your great support and may God bless all of you. Here is a picture of all of us from Headquarters Platoon, 25th Infantry Division. God bless all of you, SFC Calderon
1-23-2005 From April Gasparri Hello Andrew! Sir, thank you so much for the thoughtful packages that you and the Jefferson Township Fire Co. #1 put together for all of the soldiers of the 3^rd Squadron, 4^th Cavalry! We appreciate all of the goodies you spent time and money on, and we thank the township for all of the donations as well. Your efforts are most definitely appreciated by all soldiers deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. It is quite plausible that we are the most remotely deployed unit you are sending a package to. Therefore, we do not have any PX support on our old Russian airbase, and get mail less frequently than other bases with a fixed postal system. We love to get the mail! Being the CAV, we were moved from Kandahar, Afghanistan, to Shindand, Afghanistan in late August, and are most likely jumping to the Eastern border in a few weeks! Shindand has been a great experience. We were the first Americans to set foot on this old Russian airbase we established. There are old MIG planes lying around and quite the assortment of unexploded ordnance when we first arrived. Thankfully we had an EOD team attached to us, and cleared most all of the land around us. We've flown and driven reconnaissance missions over 5,000 square kilometers in Regional Command - West, and our presence proved very successful for peaceful voting sites during the nation's first elections on October 9, 2004. I am sorry for the informal e-mail rather than a mailed letter. I just wanted to share our appreciation to you as quickly as possible since I know we were late in receiving your package (based on the dated letter). It is also very hectic around here as we plan for another intra-country move and then redeployment during the next three months. Enjoy the rest of your winter season and feel free to write me back with whatever requests you need! I will try to e-mail you some pictures.

1-14-2005 From George Burns ME AND MY BATTLE BUDDY JOHN COLLINS ROM NORTH CAROLINA AT THE MAIN PARADE GROUNDS AND TOMB OF UNKNOWN SOLDIER. BURNS OUT.

From Charles Shuck 1-5-2005 Dear friends, I haven't written in awhile because once again the workload has picked up for my platoon. We are doing alot of stuff with the famous ABU GHRAIB prison and it;s pretty cool and time is going fast. They say we will be back in Texas by March 11th or so, but I am not getting my hopes up to high because I knw what happened after last deployment, 8 hours form getting on the plane to come home, they said no for another 3 weeks. Alot of stuff is going on over here and it:s pretty safe to say, we are in this for the long run. I do an average of over 600 miles per week once again on the roads of Baghdad and we have been blessed not to have run into any problems thus so far. Keep those prayers coming and hopefully I iwll see you all veyr soon. Weather here is beautiful, the smell of Baghdad is another story. I truly do not know how these people can live over here like this for so many years and not get sick. Once again, thanks for all your support, love and prayers. Please continue to pray for us, your American, Bitish and Australian troops and as always our great commander in chief :THE MAN GEORGE W . BUSH! CHUCK
From Robert Stillman 1-5-2005 I Master Chief Here are the pictures you wanted. If you want more, just let me know. The other Evil Twin


From Veronica Miller 12-28-2004 THESE ARE FROM STILLMAN'S CAMERA - BETTER PICTURES!

12-20-2004 From Donna Hello Andrew and Everyone else, My name is Donna and I am currently in Baghdad, Iraq. Just wanted to thank you for what you are doing. I received your letter and that's very thoughtful of you all. We appreciate all the support. It's amazing how much support we have received from strangers. :-) Please have a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year. Hope to hear from you again. Please take care and God Bless. love Donna


12-19-2004 From Charles Shuck Andrew, I just wanted to say thbanks so much for the packages we have been receiving.the soldiers have been going crazy over all that junk food ha ha. and everyone has really enjoyed it, we can't thank you all enough..............The next time I get to the market I am going to pcik you all up some of the old iraqi money with saddam on it and I iwll sen it to you..............I am on the run right now.............take care and I will write again soon and thank again..........merry christmas to you, your family and all the firefighters of your community Chuck
12-17-2004 From SFC Anthony Harris Dear Members of Jefferson Township Fire CO#1, I am SFC Anthony Harris, am I am a member of the 410TH MP Company, from Fort Hood, TX. We recently received two boxes of donated products from your company. The packages were addressed to MSG Challis. However, MSG Challis is back at FT Hood preparing for bigger endeavors, and granted me permission to open the packages and distribute as needed. I am not sure how much MSG Challis has told you of our unit, but this is our second time within 9 months being involved in this war, in this region. We are presently going on our 9th month thus far and looking forward to being back home sometime in March. The items we received, were all well appreciated and gave us the full knowledge that what we are doing is well appreciated by fellow Americans back home, no matter what state or location. Please express our sincere thanks and appreciation to all involved personnel. I have attached a picture of the company, I know it is kind of far off, but at least you can see the soldiers with some of the equipment we are utilizing. Once again, thanks and keep up the good work. V/R SFC Anthony Harris Operations Sergeant 410TH MP Company

12-4-2004 From Charles Shuck Dear Andrew and Gang, Sorry it has taken me so long to write back to you all, but hings here get very busy sometimes...........as for my days............alrighty,.............they all suck ha ha.naw, just kidding...........I usually ake up anywhee from 3 am to 4:30 am anywhere from 7-9 straight days and then a day off.............our trucks have to be ready for mission an h our before we leave for the mission and that includes guns up and commo checks done with the TOC (tactical operation center)............missions can last anywhere from 1 hour(which is a trip to the airport or green zone all the way to 10-12 hours) which is a courthouse/abu grhaib prison run..................we usually our done everything by 1800 (6 pm) everyday...............for the past 2 eeks we have been pulling area secuirty which takes a couple of hours in the evenings, but I cannto give times due to secuirty reasons...............thats my day........after I am done, come back eat soemthing, write some letters (because I h ave 6 pen pal classes) and watch a episode of the hooneymooners or watch a movie...............Well I am heaidng to dinner and then night mission for 3 hours.............take care guys and keep the questions coming Chuck
THE 4TH PLT.WITH DONATED COFFEE-TAJI IRAQ-11 DEC 04

12-1-2004 From Charles Shuck This picture of this camel was taken near saddams hometown of Tikrit by one my buddies............they cost 4 bucks if you want to ride them, but they sure do like to spit at people.................take care Chuck

12-1-2004 To the firefighters and members of the Jefferson Township Fire Co #1 On behalf of 1SG Michael Cosper of the 410th Military Police Company, Fort Hood, Texas currently in Baghdad Iraq I want to say thank you to you all for all your sacrifices you do each and everyday for both the people of Milton, New Jersey and the soldiers of the US Armed Forces.....My name is SGT Chuck Shuck and 1SG Cosper gave me this awesome opportunity to correspond with you all due to him having a million things to do while trying to take care of almost 200 soldiers in a combat zone........Sometimes people don't realize what it means to get just a simple letter or care package from the states........soldiers apprecaite it more than I could ever tell you in words.......I would be honored to continue to email and write to any of the firefigthers or family members that want to keep in touch with soldiers.........1SG also gave me the camera from you all.............give me some time with it and I will get you somegreat pics..........Once again on behalf of 1SG Mike Cosper and the soldiers of Bravo Spirit, I say thank you!
12-8-2004 From Charles Shuck Andrew.................well it's been a couple of days since I last got to see the computer.............mission afer mission as of late..................took a couple of pics on mission the other day for you..........nothing to exciting but just some of the area..............tell all the guys I said hey at the station and tell them to be safe...so how big is your station..............my hometown is small but we have 6 rigs in one station...........take care.talk to you soon Chuck		12-8-2004 From Charles Shuck Dear friends, this morning I responded to a bomb that blew up while I was on patrol, when I got there it was chaos, but I remeMber seeing a couple of cars wrecked just up the road, when I went to CNN.com to look at the news, them cars were on the front page picture and some important was killed. I couldn't beleive it, that I was actaully on the scene of that murder and didn't even know it......I wish this all would end.......I hope you are all well..............Chuck
12-10-2004 From George Burns HI ALL:JUST TO LET YOU KNOW OUR AWARDS CEREMONY WENT REALLY WELL LAST NIGHT.EVERYBODY IN THE 4TH PLATOON GOT AT LEAST A ARCOM.I WAS AWARDED THE MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL WITH A GREAT CITATION ABOUT LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE IN HOSTILE SITUATIONS.ALSO SPEC.STILLMAN WAS PROMOTED TO SGT.AND RECEIVED THE BRONZE STAR FOR SAVING MY LIFE ON EASTER MORNING.WE WERE AMBUSHED RIGHT BEFORE DAWN IN A SMALL TOWN WEST OF BAGHDAD.WITH RPG'S HITTING ALL AROUND US,I CAME UNDER INTENSE SMALL ARMS FIRE FROM INSURGENTS ON MY RIGHT.I RADIOED TO STILLMAN IN THE TRUCK TO MY REAR ASKING FOR HELP.WITHIN SECONDS HE OPENED UP WITH HIS M249-SAW,AND ELIMINATED AT LEAST 2 THREATS,THAT ENABLED ME TO CLEAR THE KILLING ZONE.I'M SO HAPPY AND PROUD FOR HIM.HE WILL BE A GREAT NCO-WE CONTINUE TO READY FOR OUR MISSION AND I WILL KEEP YOU ALL UPDATED.THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. BURNS OUT.		12-10-2004 From George Burns HI ALL:THE 4TH PLATOON HAS BEEN VERY BUSY THE PAST WEEK MOVING IRAQI ARMOR ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.WE ARE BACK GETTING OUR TRUCKS READY FOR A LONG MISSION-WE HOPE TO BE BACK BY XMAS.WE HAVE A AWARDS CEREMONY TONIGHT THEN LEAVE OUT TOMORROW MORNING.SGT ROSA HAD A EMERGENCY APPENDECTOMY YESTERDAY IN BAGHDAD,AND IS ON HIS WAY HOME TO THE STATES TO RECUPERATE-HE WILL NOT RETURN.WERE DOWN TO 78 DAYS AND THIS MISSION WILL TAKE A LOT OF TIME OFF THE CALENDAR.THE WEATHER HAS BEEN WARMER-WE WERE FREEZING TO DEATH IT WAS DOWN IN THE 30'S A FEW DAYS.I CAN'T SAY WHERE WERE GOING NOW BUT WILL LET YOU KNOW ONCE WERE FINISHED UP-IT WILL BE A INTERESTING MISSION.JUST KEEP PRAYING FOR US,SO WE CAN GET THE JOB DONE AND RETURN SAFE. BURNS OUT.
From George Burns 12-3-2004 HI ALL:JUST A SHORT NOTE TO LET ALL OF YOU KNOW THE 4TH PLT.IS SAFE AND AT BIAP-BAGHDAD AIRPORT FOR THE DAY.WE CONTINUE TO MOVE ARMOR FOR THE IRAQI ARMY ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.WE FINALLY GOT A HOT MEAL,SHOWERS AND SOME SLEEP LAST NIGHT AS WE HAVE BEEN TRAVELING DAY AND NIGHTS TO GET THE JOBS DONE.I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR ALL THE HOLIDAY EMAILS-THEY WERE APPRECIATED.THE COMPANY HAS REQUESTED THAT NO MAIL OF ANY KIND BE SENT TO US AFTER DEC.15. WE WILL BE DOING A LOT OF TRAVELING BEFORE WE GO HOME THE END OF FEB.I REALLY WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR ALL THE GREAT STUFF YOU SENT THE 4TH PLT.OVER THE LAST YEAR.I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED. THANK YOU. BURNS OUT.		From George Burns 12-10-2004 HI ALL:JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW OUR MISSION WAS JUST CANCELED-I CAN TELL YOU NOW THAT WE WERE GOING TO MAKE HISTORY AGAIN.FROM TAJI THE 4TH PLT WAS TO PROCEED TO KARBALLA,AND LINK UP WITH A HUNGARIAN ARMY UNIT,LOAD AND HELP THEM RE-DEPLOY TO KUWAIT-USING GUNTRUCKS FROM THE POLISH ARMY.3 COUNTRIES ALL WORKING TOGETHER,BUT ALAS THE RED TAPE INVOLVED MADE THE MISSION UNMANAGEABLE.WE ARE PROMISED THAT IF THE MISSION IS REVIVED THAT WE WILL GET THE ASSIGNMENT.THE 4TH PLT.HAS WORKED WELL WITH SOLDIERS FROM MANY OTHER COUNTRIES AND LOVE THE CHALLENGES INVOLVED-WE MAKE NEW FRIENDS EASILY,AND REALLY ENJOY WORKING WITH THE NATIONS THAT SUPPORT THE USA.WE DO HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS AROUND THE WORLD THAT STUFF ISN'T MENTIONED IN THE NEWS.WE ARE NOW AWAITING WORD OF OUR NEXT MISSION ,AND I WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED.PLEASE REMEMBER THAT DEC.15,IS THE CUTOFF FOR FINAL MAIL BEING SENT TO US,AFTER TH
11-30-2004 From Major Langran To Mr. Schmidt and the Jefferson Township Fire Co # 1: My unit just got back from three weeks of fighting in Fallujah yesterday and we were greeted with your gracious package. We are deployed from Grand Prairie, TX (near Dallas) as the Truck Platoon for 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment. Thank you very much for your generosity as the package will be used for the marines in the platoon to enjoy. I have enclosed a picture taken of the truck platoon just before we went into Fallujah. Semper Fi, Maj Langran
11-28-2004 From SFC Calderon Hello I am SFC Calderon, I recently received correspondence from you I really thank you for your interest in affecting the daily routine of a lot of us here. When we get something from the U.S. even if is a letter, we appreciate it. We have received what you have mailed to us and we thank you, may God bless all of you. V/R SFC Nery Calderon
11-26-2004 From CMSGT GEORGE BURNS HI ANDREW:GREETINGS FROM IRAQ.I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU AND JTFD#1,FOR THE PACKAGES.WE WERE ABLE TO SPLIT THE BOXES UP AMONG THE WHOLE GROUP.WERE PREPARING TO LEAVE FOR A MISSION,AND WE LOVE JUNK FOOD FOR THE ROAD.WERE DRIVING THE HETS,WE MOVE TANKS AND ARMOR ALL OVER IRAQ,AND KUWAIT.WE WILL BE ON THE ROAD ABOUT A WEEK THIS TIME,GOING SOUTH OF BAGHDAD.IN THE PAST MONTH WE HAVE BEEN TO BASRA, NAZARIA, KARBALLA, NAJAF, BABYLON, BAGHDAD, FALLUJA, TIKRIT, AND MOSUL.AS YOU CAN SEE WE GO WHEREVER THE NEXT BATTLE IS.WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU AT HOME FOR THE GREAT SUPPORT.I WILL ADD YOU TO MY EMAIL LIST AND KEEP YOU UPDATED ON OUR TRAVELS. THANKS AGAIN FROM THE WHOLE 4TH PLT. BURNS OUT.		HI :THANKS FOR THE QUICK RESPONSE.THE ONLY THINGS WE CAN REALLY USE AT THIS TIME IS JUNK FOOD FOR THE ROAD,AND AA BATTERIES.PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS WITH US FOR THE HOLIDAYS,AND HOPEFULLY IN A LITTLE OVER 2 MONTHS WE WILL BE HEADING SOUTH TO KUWAIT,THEN HOME. THANKS AGAIN. BURNS OUT.


November 12 2--4 - From CMSGT George Burns. Here are some pictures of Georgie Burns on Veteran's Day in Iraq moving Russian tanks ! Just look at the whole picture - you might have to move it up / down & sideways...