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From: Usmcwives@aol.com
Sent: Monday, November 15, 2004 9:38 AM
Subject: WEEK OF8 NOVEMBER 2004
WEEK OF 8 NOVEMBER 2004
Hello All
I want to let you know that the 1st Marine Division has ordered that the
phone center and Internet café be closed during this current conflict. I
will be here if you need me while the lines of communication are down.
Although this is hard for all of us it is a necessary evil. You never know
when the enemy may be listening to your phone calls or reading your
emails. Something that may not seem very important to you or I may be the
very information the enemy is looking for. Remember that OPSEC should
always be a top priority for us. The command has specifically instructed
the Marines and Sailors not share any Operational information with family
members because of Operational Security. We need to help our loved ones to
practice OPSEC at all times. As hard as it is we don't need to know
exactly what are men are doing right now. They'll have all kinds of
stories to share with us when they get home.
I can only assume that during this latest with Fallujah we will be getting
a lot of information regarding our Battalion's efforts and those of the
Coalition forces via the media. Remember that the media tells the stories
that will make you watch their channel or sell their papers and magazines.
The mission over there is to "Support and Stabilize" this country and its
people. Specifically, our BN has been tasked to do that in the Al
Mahmudiyah region of Iraq and we are doing it very well. Your loved ones
are doing a terrific job of the tasks that command requests of them. Our
men have been well trained and have everything they need to successfully
accomplish any mission tasked of them.
I thank you all for the support that you are making to all the loved ones
over seas I know it will be frustrating for you all in the days to come!
Know your loved ones are being taken care of.
Please know that the command is very concerned about the safety and well
being of your loved ones. . It is dangerous and tough but if it was easy
than everyone could do it. I think it bears noting that the combat we are
seeing pales in comparison to the combat seen by veterans in previous wars
in our nation's history. The living conditions are far superior to those
of any previous wars. The moral and motivation couldn't be any higher. At
their main base they have hot chow, hot showers, and lots of mail. It
doesn't get any better than that for Marines and Sailor's.
The wonderful thing about our country is that we have so many freedoms,
freedom of speech, freedom to vote for whomever we want, freedom of
religion and more. Your loved ones are over there trying to give a small
percentage of those same basic freedoms to a people who have known nothing
other than poverty, fear, terrorism, torture, corruption and
intimidation. They have never stood up for themselves and they are
struggling with the situation they find themselves in. However, the
Marines and Sailors are there on a mission and their part is to do their
best to provide some semblance of security and stability to a nation that
needs it tenfold.
I know it will be extremely difficult to be apart from our loved ones
during this holiday season. Remember that it's ok to talk to someone about
what you are feeling! I can get you in contact with someone to help you.
You are not alone in this we are a family and I'm here to point you in the
right direction. Please feel free to email me any question or concerns and
I will be very happy to help! That's what I'm here for. Anything you say
to me, or any of our Key Volunteers, is strictly confidential.
The Marines celebrated their 229th birthday on November 10th. If you
would like to read the Birthday Message from the Commandant of the Marine
Corps, General M.W. Hagee, please go to http://www.usmc.mil/comrel/120day.nsf/cmcmessage04.pdf
.
We should all be proud of all the servicemen in our nation. I know I am.
You should go to sleep tonight knowing that the leadership of the 2nd
Battalion 24th Marines and the USMC view him as a precious asset, not a
"number". Their lives are not to be taken lightly or for granted. The
command views your loved one as a brother and a son. They will never be
asked to do anything that they are not prepared for! I have the utmost
faith in your loved ones, every Marine on his flanks, every Sailor that
mends them and every Marine in his chain of command. My children and I
sleep well at night knowing they are out there defending our freedoms.
They are doing well and they are making tremendous progress in their
missions. They miss their families and are looking forward to a safe and
speedy return when it is deemed our time to come home. I sincerely hope
that you don't let anyone influence your views on your son's ability to
concentrate on the tasks at hand, one day at a time. Instead, use your
motivation to inspire hope and prosperity to his mission and this
country. The situation is well in hand... the Marines and Sailors of 2nd
Battalion / 24th Marines are there.
Thank you again for your on going support of your loved ones. If I can be
of any assistance please let me know! God bless you all and bless the
Marines and Sailors.
L.Schmidt
KVA 2nd Battalion 24th Marines
E-mail: usmcwives@aol.com
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