Letters home from Iraq -- Warning: Depressing

[Nevernose]

I just read the article in Texas Monthly called "Letters Home." The actual magazine has photocopies, but following is the text of a few of the letters. These are the last letters home. It's depressing, I know, but I'd like to think that -- come election day, or come a war crimes tribunal -- these soldiers won't be forgotten.

(Also, can we avoid the generic Texas bashing? * is from Conecticutt, and there are a hell of a lot of Dems in Texas, even if they did lose the reditricting fight)

Sergeant Keelan Moss, 23, Houston

To his mother, Velma Deawayne. Moss was killed on November 2, 2003, when a Chinook helicopter was shot down over Fallujah, killing him and five other soldiers. He was en route to Baghdad International Airport, having just been granted ten days' leave.

16 Oct 03

Hey mom,

How is my favorite "Ole lady" doing (lol) ? Well, me I doing okay I guess. You might of heard about me on T.V. I know you watch the news. You might have heard Bush talk about all the Iraqi soldiers that will be trained by the end of this year. Well, I'm one of the instructors of this training. I have a squad of non-English speak people (one is an ex-Iraqi general who speaks a little English). We have translators that help out but a times it gets crazy when they start asking questions all at the same time. I'll take some pictures of us so you can see my 1st squad. It pretty cool but I feel bad for some of these people because for starters we have no real reason to be in their country. And now we are trying to make up for the things we did when we 1st got over here. They have to sign the wack contract saying that they will help us no matter what. Its sort of messed up for them. I can only pray that God forgives us for the way we treated some of these people. Well mom, I hope everything is going okay with you all. Tell Ralph & Travanna that I miss them and love them very much. I love you mom and miss you dearly.

Love Ya

Your Son

Keelan

Lance Corporal Aaron Austin, 21, Sunray

To his fiancee, Tiffany Frank. Austin proposed to Frank a month earlier, over the phone from Iraq. He was killed five days after writing this letter, on April 26, 2004, when he and his fellow Marines came under heavy enemy fire in Fallujah.

April 21-04

Tiff,

Well today was a real scare we had one of our machine gunners take one in the neck, but they said he is in stable condition right now. Thank gods healing hands. Four hour fire fight, they sure have a strong D set up. Nothing we cant handle though. I sure think about you all the time and pray that god brings me back to you, preferably sooner than later. So how are you and Kaylie doing? I hope really good. I carry a picture of the two of you in my cavalar (helmet), and another of you and I in my back pocket. So you are allways with me. Baby I sure hope you know I love you. You have allready changed me as a person, for the better by far. You have no idea how thankful I am for the way you are standing in my corner. One day you will have that rock on your hand that you deserve. I have a little plan for that it just might take a year or two. So have you talked to Jerrod? How is your family doing? How's the gym, wish I could find one. I am really becomming a skinny punk. Well baby I love you with every thing I got. Keep your head high.

I LOVE YOU

1000...X

AARON

Staff Sergeant Hector Perez, 40, Corpus Christi

To his fourteen-year-old daughter, Marla. The other children Perez addresses are Marla's best friends, who had previously written him a letter. Perez was killed on July 24, 2003, when his military convoy came under enemy fire north of Hawd.

Dear Marla

Hi Pee-Wee how are? I am doing fine. Im holding-up pretty good its very dangerous here. Like I told Renee in her letter its ugly here (dead is in the Air). As a matter a facted. I was listening to a Creed CD the other day, its been a while since I heard any music. So you have that part down? Kool practice makes perfect.

Tell your friend Mitchell I said hi. Kami I will come back I have to hear my Mark jam to "human clay" HA. Hope you are doing fine.

Alicia I love Marla too, very much.

Jessy thanx for that we to love all of our children be good and safe oh and keep studying.

As for Brad Hey I want a Do-ttins (Dog Kitten) HAAA.

Keep studying and keep a sense of humor.

Marla keep up your studies and please dont fail. Im glad and proud of you. Keep praying and yes Marla I do love Mom. I love you and miss you. As a Matter of fact Big Pun is almost next to me. He's not Big Pun anymore he's losing weight HA HA but Ill tell him Hi. I will write again ASAP. You write back. OOYY Ben HA HA. J

Miss and Love You

DAD.

P.S I don't need nothing just help mom

Love You.

PSSS Tell Millisa I said HI. And Im doing fine.

Love You

Pee-Wee

http://www.texasmonthly.com/mag/issues/2004-07-01/feature6.php

[Ilsa]

1. Aw Geez. So sad. Just like the CBS evening news when they do

their "Fallen Heroes" tribute, talking about the hopes and dreams of soldiers killed in Iraq and who they left behind.

[ok222]

2. Very touching

My love goes to the families.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. kick

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

4. Poignant letters

I have about 100 letters from my husband from when he was in Desert Storm but he was only wounded, thank goodness.

And thanks for the disclaimer about Texas. Us liberals are down here working hard!

(I've actually found that magazine, Texas Monthly, to be pretty suspiciously left-leaning most of the time!!!)

[Sugarbleus]

5. Thank you Arg, for posting these...we must never forget

I'm going to make a copy of this to keep. I have some family/friends who are so dumb. They think that being anti bush is against the soldiers...............geeez

One time these same people sent me a standard form "story"(from a republican generated blog) about some military wife in a restaurant overhearing some "liberals" talking bad about the war, Bush blah blah.
It was pure garbage. Soooooooo, :evilgrin:, I brought up the site: Military Families Speak out and a couple others, posted those links along with tributes like the ones you've posted here and HIT SEND! Hoo ya... told these people they really did need to do more research....

I did the same thing to that vile org. called "Move America Forward"..the one that tried to stop the MM doc F-9/11..they never did reply. :shrug: