Letters From The Front

Why do I have this page?
Because I can!
Because I live in a free Nation where I can say what I feel and
 respect your right to do the same even if I do not agree.

Because I do not live in Iraq or another nation that is controlled
by a vicious dictator where a difference of opinion is punishable by death.

Because I do not live in a country where I can be shot by my own soldiers
for trying to get my family to safety by fleeing a war torn city.

Because I am an American!

This page is not for protesting war.  It is not to glorify war.  It is to acknowledge that we are a nation at war.  This page is to honor our military men and women of the Coalition who are laying their lives on the line at this very moment--for those prisoners of war who can't write--for those who have already fallen.  They do their job, not because they want to, but because they must.  They are making these sacrifices for freedom.  Not just yours and mine, but for the ordinary citizen in Iraq and the world.

On this page, you will find letters from soldiers to their families and to the world.  You will also find letters from those left on the home front.  (For this too is a front, a tragic and lonely front.) Those who wait with silent tears beside the mailbox are at the front. Those who pray and wring their hands when they hear of another fallen soldier--fear a haunting specter in their hearts are at the front.  Those who weep in sorrow when they watch the nightly news are at the front.

---

The Letters

This poem was in a letter from a marine in Kuwait dated 9
march 2003. The Marines were hearing about the anti-war
protest and they were upset.That's all the letter talked
about. This Marine enclosed a poem he and his buddies wrote.
He wants us to make their message heard..
~
"Wish You Were Here"

For all the free people that still protest.
You're welcome.
We protect you and you are protected by the best.
Your voice is strong and loud,
But who will fight for you?
No one standing in your crowd.
We are your fathers, brothers, and sons,
Wearing the boots and carrying guns.
We are the ones that leave all we own,
To make sure your future is carved in stone.
We are the ones who fight and die,
We might not be able to save the world ,
Well, at least we try.
We walked the paths to where we are at
And we want no choice other than that.
So when you rally your group to complain,
Take a look in the back of your brain.
In order for that flag you love to fly
Wars must be fought for the ones we hold dear.
If that's not respected, we would rather stay here.
So please stop yelling, put down your signs,
And pray for those behind enemy lines.
When the conflict is over and all is well,
Be thankful that we chose to go through hell.
~Corporal Joshua Miles and all the boys from 3rd Battalion 2nd Marines, Kuwait~

(These next two are letters from a mother to her son and his reply.  This letter exchange moves me more than I can say and proves the love between a parent and a child is everlasting.)

Dear Son,

I am So very proud of you!!!

My computer broke last week and I just now got another one.  I have been out of town on business training.  So I am very sorry I haven't written, I had no access for a week because I wasn't even able to go use the one at work.

   But I am on now.  When I hooked up this one it wouldn't let me on the net and I was so angry because I haven't' read your emails in soooo long (a week is long for me)  I think you sending group mail to us is the best thing to do because then everyone gets the message.

I will be the PROUDEST parent around at the next Veterans Day Parade!!!!!!!

I have a whole different view of our military now.  I connect with so many people who have family and loved ones there.  I pray everyday for everyone there and here who are working so hard to save our lives and liberty!

God Bless you and your Brothers and Sisters!!!  You will always have a special bond with military persons that will not be compared to anything else.

I cannot even begin to describe how I feel about you.  But let me say...I am so glad God gave me such a wonderful baby, young boy, young man and now a MAN!!!!

I love you so much, and my heart could not be more full of love for anyone.  I never told you how important to me you are.  I wish I had not wasted so much of our lives on trying to make a living and spent it with you.  I am so sorry for not being a better parent. but believe me.....you could never have someone love you more than I do!!!! You have always been my whole life.

I wear the pin with your picture, on my outfit EVERYDAY no matter where I am, work, play, gym, traveling, seminars... it doesn't matter.  you are always with me.  And people ask all the time about you, strangers, and we always connect because of you and their family member being bonded together through the military.

Well honey I hope this wasn't so long that you couldn't read it all. Just know I love you, I am anxious to see you, and I always have you next to my heart, inside and out!!!

Love,
mom
~~
(And the answer)

Dear Mom,

DO NOT EVER think you where a bad parent. I mean how many people can raise a child who is generally a good person when they grow up, much less a single mother raising a son, for the first time EVER, and on top of that starting at 18 years old?

I pray to God that I can do half as good of a job raising my kid(s) as you have done raising me. I don't mean to brag on myself but you made me who I am, and that is a person that has respect for people and things regardless how big or small, from an ant to God.  You know, I feed the ants at fuel storage whenever I have food because I think of how hard it must be for them to find food in the desert.

Also I would do anything to help someone whether I've known them a second or a lifetime, so when you feel so proud of me know that you are only able to be so proud of me because you did such a good job raising me.  You are the best mom EVER and even all my friend think the same and you aren't even their mom.  So I Don't EVER what you to say or think you are ANYTHING but a wonderful mother who is loved very much by her Son.....I Love You!!!!!!!

Dear Jo,
ciao scuse me for my horrible english! At this moment I'm feel very ashamed to be an Italian woman,but me and my family pray every day for all the soldiers in Irak. good luck and G OD bless you and us.CIAO
~An Italian citizen~
(Note to the writer:  Your English is 100% better than my Italian.  We appreciate your support. God Bless you and your family.)

Hey Everyone,

I had a little extra time so I thought I would write a "mass" letter, Well I am doing OK. It is different being in another country. The other day, I had to go off base to do something for my job and we went to the Port so I saw the ocean over here.  It was really cool and kind of relaxing... The crazy thing is, is that in our travels over there I didn't have that sense  of security like you do in the states when traveling. I kind of realized that there are people over here that would kill me, if given the opportunity just for where I'm from, that's just crazy to me.

Anyway for those of you that don't know, on the way over here we stopped in the Azores (Portugal).  It is indescribable there, there are fields so green that I cant explain the color. ([Friend's Name], do you remember the pits, more green than that), and there are like 4' rock walls that divide up the countryside like a grid... and we stopped in Italy.  In Italy, we got to see the sunset that was really amazing. Also the mountains there where so huge and snow covered, I think they were the Alps.  Man it was just amazing,

I actually saw camels the other day too...they were just strolling across the road with out a care in the
world..... Well guys I need to get going I Love you All.....
                 ~An Airman in Kuwait~

I'm sure you have heard kuwait was hit. I'm ok, and Im not sure how often I will be able to write if at all for a while. We have gone into real world chemical suits so things are a little tense, but I'm ok.......remember to all... NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS.....~Scott~

DO NOT FORGET

    I sat in a movie theater watching "Schindler's List," asked myself, "Why
didn't the Jews fight back?"
    Now I know why.
    I sat in a movie theater, watching "Pearl Harbor" and asked myself, "Why
weren't we prepared?"
    Now I know why.
    Civilized people cannot fathom, much less predict, the actions of evil people.
    On September 11, dozens of capable airplane passengers allowed themselves to be overpowered by a handful of poorly armed terrorists because they did not comprehend the depth of hatred that motivated their captors.
    On September 11, thousands of innocent people were murdered because too many Americans naively reject the reality that some nations are dedicated to the dominance of others. Many political pundits, pacifists and media personnel want us to forget the carnage. They say we must focus on the bravery of the rescuers and ignore the cowardice of the killers. They implore us to understand the motivation of the perpetrators. Major television stations have announced they will assist the healing process by not replaying devastating footage of the planes crashing into the Twin Towers.
    I will not be manipulated.
    I will not pretend to understand.
    I will not forget.
    I will not forget the liberal media who abused freedom of the press to kick our country when it was vulnerable and hurting.
    I will not forget that CBS anchor Dan Rather preceded President Bush's address to the nation with the snide remark, "No matter how you feel about him, he is still our president."
    I will not forget that ABC TV anchor Peter Jennings questioned President Bush's motives for not returning immediately to Washington, DC and commented, "We're all pretty skeptical and cynical about Washington."
    And I will not forget that ABC's Mark Halperin warned if reporters weren't informed of every little detail of this war, they aren't "likely -- nor should they be expected -- to show deference."
    I will not isolate myself from my fellow Americans by pretending an attack on the USS Cole in Yemen was not an attack on the United States of America.
    I will not forget the Clinton administration equipped Islamic terrorists and their supporters with the world's most sophisticated telecommunications equipment and encryption technology, thereby compromising America's ability to trace terrorist radio, cell phone, land lines, faxes and modem    communications.
    I will not be appeased with pointless, quick retaliatory strikes like those perfected by the previous administration.
    I will not be comforted by "feel-good, do nothing" regulations like the silly "Have your bags been under your control?" question at the airport.
    I will not be influenced by so called,"antiwar demonstrators" who exploit the right of expression to chant anti-American obscenities.
    I will not forget the moral victory handed the North Vietnamese by American war protesters who reviled and spat upon the returning soldiers, airmen, sailors and Marines.
    I will not be softened by the wishful thinking of pacifists who chose reassurance over reality.
    I will embrace the wise words of Prime Minister Tony Blair who told Labor Party conference, "They have no moral inhibition on the slaughter of the innocent. If they could have murdered not 7,000 but 70,000, does anyone doubt they would have done so and rejoiced in it?
    There is no compromise possible with such people, no meeting of minds, no point of understanding with such terror. Just a choice: defeat it or be defeated by it. And defeat it we must!"
    I will force myself to: hear the weeping -feel the helplessness -imagine the terror -sense the panic -smell the burning flesh - experience the loss - remember the hatred.
    I sat in a movie theater, watching "Private Ryan" and asked myself, "Where did they find the courage?"
    Now I know.
    We have no choice. Living without liberty is not living.

Ed Evans, MGySgt., USMC (Ret.)
Not as lean, Not as mean, But still a Marine.

Hey, All

I just really thought about it but on our next veterans day parade, I'LL BE A VETERAN. That's really cool to me.  I'll wear my Dress Uniform for it.....man that's just crazy....man its crazy to think, ME... A veteran??....

Anyway things are tense here but we are doing good, its amazing the amount every one helps each other....when the first Scud was fired at us we all just went into the mode where every one knew exactly what to do.  We were all kinda scared, but it wasn't panic or confusion.  We knew what we needed to
do...oh also I will never forget on the first scud when everyone was putting on our chem gear, this man I didn't know, had never even seen, helped me get my gear on faster because he was finished already.  Then we checked each other to make sure our suits were sealed.  I didn't get his name, and he didn't get mine...when it was clear I simply thanked him from the bottom of my heart, and we parted our ways ... I mean we didn't know if we would get hit or not, and he was trying to help save my life, my LIFE!

Everyone helped each other but it was different he helped me. I don't know it probably sounds dumb, but it was very special to me.   Now I can put all my crap on really fast and as soon as Im done, I help the people around me get theirs on and on correctly just as the man did for me...

I Love You All sorry for the "group letters" but i don't have much time.  Now has been the longest break so I thought I'd write.

Please keep writing me its really good to read letters from people I love.....Love you ALL....
~An Airman in Kuwait~

 There are thousands of military wives out there today. We're holding our heads up high waiting for the day we get the call that they are coming home.  In the meanwhile we get together, laugh joke and continue our lives, but deep down in our hearts we can't understand why they have to go and fight war when they did nothing to them. For the soldiers of the red, white and blue to step forward to defend the country they so proudly love and live, I'm here today to say "Thank You" for all you give to us to make this  world a better place to live.
~PROUD WIFE OF A U.S. SOLDIER!!!~

 I AM A SOLDIER

 I am a United States Soldier
 humble, brave and true.
 I defend against all enemies
 foreign, domestic, old and new.
 I'll fight for this country
 I'll willingly give up my life.
 If it will bring freedom
 to my children and my wife.
 I have been given my orders
 and very soon I will go.
 It breaks my heart to leave them
 and theirs too I know.
 But they know my reasons
 So behind me they stand
 as I protect all of you
 Every child woman and man
  ~Author Unknown~

THE SILENT RANKS

 I wear no uniforms, no blues or army greens.
 But I am in the military in the ranks rarely seen.
 I have no rank upon my shoulders. Salutes I do not give.
 But the military world is the place where I live.

 I'm not in the chain of command, orders I do not get.
 But my husband is the one who does, this I can not forget.
 I'm not the ones who fires the weapon, who puts my life on the line.
 But my job is just as tough. I'm the one that's left behind.

 My husband is a patriot, a brave and prideful man
 and the call to serve his country, not all can understand.
 Behind the lines I see the things needed to keep this country free.
 My husband makes the sacrifice, but so do our kids and me.

 I love the man I married. Soldiering is his life.
 But I stand among the silent ranks known as the Military Wife.
  ~Author Unknown~

 An Army Wife by title ~ Called a privilege by the few.
 She'll Stick by her husband, that's what she will do.
 He may be at home or a million miles away,
But in her heart he will always stay
    ~Author Unknown~

 LOVING A SOLDIER
 Loving a soldier is a high price to pay,
 loving him truly is hard when he's away.
 It's being alone with nothing to hold;
 it's being young, but feeling old;
 it's having him whisper his love for you;
 it's whispering back that you love him too.
 There comes a kiss and a promise for more,
 as his plane slowly rises to soar;
 reluctantly, painfully, letting him go,
 while your insides are dying from wanting him so,
 watching him leave with eyes full of tears,
 standing alone with your hopes, dreams and fears.
 It's sending a letter with the stamp upside down,
 to a far away love in a far away town.
 It's going to church to kneel and pray,
 and really meaning the things that you say.
 Being in love will foster your dreams,
 of that far away soldier your mind fairly beams.
 Days go by, no mail for a spell,
 you wait for some word to hear that he's well.
 Then a letter arrives, and you've given in,
 to open his letter and read it with a grin,
 yes, he is well and misses you so,
 it's filled with the love you wanted to know.
 Weeks are like months, and months are like years,
 you wait for the day when you'll have no more fears.
 Days go by slowly, how many have passed?
 Yes, loving a soldier brings bitterness and fears,
 loneliness, sadness and despondent years.
 Loving a soldier isn't much fun,
 but it's worth the price when the battle is won;
 and remember he is thinking of you everyday,
 he's sad and he's lonely while so far away;
 so love him and miss him and hold your head high,
 be strong and have faith, wipe that tear from your eye.
 It's the high price you pay for loving a soldierâ₦
  ~Author Unknown~

 We talked for a few minutes and had to say good-bye.
But the words he spoke and his voice will always be in my mind.
Tears fell from my eyes as we had  to say good-bye,
but I know that I'm better now and he tells me not to cry!
 I love him dearly and know he will be home soon.
So pray for our soldiers of the red, white and blue!
~Author Unknown~

---

Would you like to write your own letter to a member of the armed forces?
You can at Operation Dear Abby

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S. Joan Popek

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