Thank you from Charlie Company!

Thank you all so much for the care packages! I shared them with my platoon and everyone was able to use all the items that were sent. I don't think anyone will ever understand how important the support we receive back home is. If it weren't for great Americans like yourselves supporting us, why do the job?

"I don't think anyone will ever understand how important the support we receive back home is."

When I first got here I was very driven to help the Iraqi people. Well, after a couple months of people trying to kill me, I lost that drive. I thought that we weren't wanted here. I was only seeing the bad side of Iraq. Then something happened.

We were at a very big traffic jam. We rolled up with our armored vehicles to assist in clearing out the traffic. The ICDC (Iraqi Corp of Civil Defense) was trying to sort out the mess. These men of the ICDC want freedom. They believe in a better future. They were having a lot of trouble that day. We had an interpreter with us named Hassan. I started speaking to one of the ICDC soldiers with Hassan about the situation over here in Iraq. He was dressed in his uniform but wore a mask to hide his identity from the people. I asked him, "Do the Iraqi people really even want us here? Was Saddam even that bad? They don't seem happy about the change, so why do it?"

"I asked him, 'Do the Iraqi people really even want us here? Was Saddam even that bad?'"

What that soldier said to me, re-inspired me. It opened my eyes to the world of the Iraqi people. He told me, "We do need you here. Without you the rebels will take back over. Saddam was a horrible man who led by fear. He would torture and kill anyone in his way. His sons were even worse. I want freedom so badly. I have a wife and 5 month old son back home and I want them to enjoy the freedoms that you Americans have. The people do not respect us though. They do not listen to us. We need your help to get rid of these rebels. I go home in fear every night. If they see me in my uniform or find out who I am, they will come to my house and kill my family and I."

"Many lives will be lost on both sides. But you know, in the end, it is all worth it. A civilization will be able to speak their voice and be heard. They will be free."

At that point, I realized what we are doing here is right. The news portrays this situation here in a terrible light. There is so much good going on. The Iraqis have electricity for the first time in a long time, they are allowed to buy any newspaper they want, they can watch international news on satellites now, the schools are back open, children actually have school supplies. Unfortunately, as we as Americans know, freedom isn't free. Many lives will be lost on both sides. But you know, in the end, it is all worth it. A civilization will be able to speak their voice and be heard. They will be free.

Thank you again and from all of us here at Charlie Company 3-172nd INF MTN, we truly appreciate your support and patriotism. God bless America.

Sincerely,

Sgt. Russell

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