Today's Update from Bobby's Unit

[TwinMom7]

Memories Help Marines Cope with War Realities
DESERT DISPATCH

By FRED DODD


SOMEWHERE IN SOUTHERN IRAQ -- Dump truck drivers and heavy equipment operators from South Bend's U.S. Marine reserve unit teamed up with Marines from another combat engineer unit Sunday to start work on culvert improvements on a major Iraqi highway.

The road had been under construction before the war began and is now being used as a main supply route in the push north toward Baghdad.

Marines not working on the culverts were busy setting up a base camp that Engineer Company B will call home for a few days -- or a few months. No one knows for sure.

Machine gun nests were constructed into a berm at the west side of the South Bend Marines' position and machine gunners took turns manning the posts to keep a watch on the desert horizon. After their watch, Marines tried to get some rest in their two-man tents -- which grew toasty by noon.

Others worked in teams to set up camouflage netting over the company's command post.

A few Marines wrote letters home. A nearby unit had scheduled a vehicle to head south in a day or so; it was announced that all outgoing mail would go along with them.

"The Marines know it may be a while before we get any incoming mail, but they still want to send letters home," said 1st Sgt. Rick Foor, 40, of Chesterton.

"Since we've been on the move it's been kind of hard to get no mail," said Cpl. Eric Johnson, 24, of Granger. The majority of Johnson's mail lately has been from his girlfriend, Amber Yoder, 25, of Elkhart. He keeps a silver angel medallion that she gave him in his pocket.

He also carries a notebook filled with pictures of his friends and family.

"I pull them out once in a while to stay close to home. Those emotional memories keep you going when things get rough."

Another reminder of home is a cross that a church gave him. "It's on my dog tag chain so it stays close to my heart."

 

[jamsmom]

I am pleased that they will try to get mail out, but wish they could also receive in a timely mnner

Thank you for taking the time to update us.

 

[Justhope]

Maybe that means you have a letter from Bobby coming soon.
I enjoy reading your updates about your son, Thank you for sharing him w/ us.

God bless,
Hope

 

[nativetxn]

I thought that letters were delivered even to the front. Who knows.

Thanks for the update.

 

[TwinMom7]

Letters will be moving to the front - just don't know how long it will take for them to arrive. And we thought mail was slow to the base camps in Kuwait.

Supposedly, this is the first U.S. war where letters will move to the front lines. Heard that report last week on the news.

 

[TwinMom7]

The reporter (Fred Dodd) was just interviewed on our local radio station. He said that the unit is currently 150 miles from Baghdad, and will probably move to within 100 miles of the city.

 

[Keli]

I'm hoping that when the temporary bases are set up that the mail service will be better for the guys at the front.

 

[MelanieC]

I saw a newsarticle where they showed mail arriving to the guys along the front lines. There were lots of priority mail boxes. I would imagine that the mail is just the best thing and is probably the only thing that makes them smile.

Melanie

 

[helenabear]

I hope that the mail can get to them in a timely manner soon. I do appreciate these updates, thank you Patty

 

[Cthia]

Thank you Patty, I look forward to reading your updates about your son.