ED: This letter from Will was written on April 4 and delivered to us on April 25. We know that Will has posted since then, but he said it "would be cool if we would send this email", and since it has a different perspective we decided to share it with you all. - Will's Mom
I'm typing this letter on the CO's laptop, so you'll finally be able to read what I'm writing. I'm the Sergeant of the Guard (just like CQ but now we're in the field) from 0500 to 0900. It's the best time to be on duty, because I'm only losing an hour of sleep for the duty.
Not much is new here, but that's likely to change at any given moment. It's our third day here in the middle of the desert, and it's more than a little boring. Without equipment there isn't much for us to do. First Platoon has been attached to the Marines directly, and have moved in with them up the hill. Oh, we're in the Camp Coyote area, but we're on the outer circle of the perimeter (think concentric circles, like a shooting target with a bull's eye), and the center is the Marine Headquarters, also on the top of a hill. We are farther down the hill, and away from our thick-necked hosts (can you say out-of-sight-out-of-mind?). It's not a bad place, really, but we are trying to keep the kids occupied with busy work and you know what that holds over time.
There was a little excitement earlier - seems there was gunfire at another position along the perimeter, away from our AO. We (the NCO's) upped the pucker factor and went into a "smart is slow, slow is quick" mentality for the kids. Most of my soldiers are under the age of 22, with 3 of them not even 20 years old yet, so we try to keep things as calm and toned down as possible. I guess I was that excitable and scared when I was their age also. Turns out that the gunfire was a self-inflicted wound, but the extent of the injury is unknown at this time. I hope that some schmuck just dropped his weapon and shot himself in the foot, but I fear that it was a bit more serious than that. I don't know how anyone could contemplate suicide in a place like this. There are plenty of things to worry about, but to punch your own ticket here makes no rational sense to me whatsoever.
The chow is improving, if you consider the size of the portions increasing improvement. It's basically the same meal every other day, except for breakfast which is the same every day. I can't blame the Marines for the food, it's being cooked by a civilian contractor, most likely local. Cheap bastard - wish he had to eat the same meals we do and then maybe things might get a little better.
Rumor has it that our equipment will be arriving in a couple days, but rumor also said that the Marines would be sending us cots 2 days ago. Well, some cots showed up last night, 34 of them. A damn sight short of the 100+ that we need. Typical. Like I said I'm not holding my breath on the boat arriving in a couple days.
We didn't get much news when we were at McCoy and even less here. I heard that there's a TV up the hill at Marine Central, but I have yet to see it. Internet connections are tough to find, and all I hope for is that the battle up front is going well and our troops are taking and holding ground quickly. I really would like to be home for Christmas, but Thanksgiving or even the Fourth of July would be OK with me. I'm beginning to like this place, and it's not even close to being home.
The other day it hit me just how far from home I am. A new soldier walked up to me as I was eating evening chow and asked what time it was back home. I told him that it was 9 hours earlier, and 6 am at home. He made the comment that the sun was coming up there, as it was going down here, and it set the hook into me - I'm on the other side of the world. At least we don't have to convert the days backward like when I was in Korea (too much math!).
Looks like chow is about ready, and I need to get this printed off so I can drop it in the mail. I wonder if you've even received the first letters I've sent you from Doha? Probably not. They say that mail is a priority here, but I think they're being a bit self deluded in that matter.
If you want to type this up and send it out in an email, that would be cool. I don't know how often those Marines are going to let me onto their computers. I'm too tired to be funny right now. It's been a long couple days and the temperature is really starting to climb up there (nope, don't know how hot, but it's a dry heat! Yippee.).
Love,
Will
Thanks Will's mom for putting this letter on here from Will. Even written April 4th, it is a pleasure to read what Will has had to say while over in that foreign land. I can not imagine being in Iraq with war or without war. He does write well and he could be looking at big $$$$$ when/if he writes a book on what he saw and did over during this war time. His sense of humor is fantastic. You raised a real "winner" when you raised that boy of yours. Prayers are with him and our people while they are gone. I wish all of them a safe trip home and soon.
Posted by: sue on April 26, 2003 12:19 PMHello Will's Mom,
Thank you for posting this letter. I'll continue to pray for him, that he will remain safe, and be able to come home soon. His sacrifices are not being taken for granted. There is a great outpouring of support for all the troops from all over the United States. He's a wonderful, gifted writer.
Posted by: Dawn on April 26, 2003 08:09 PMI just like to say that i hope will does fine, he sounds so tired. I hope he gets home real soon. I was wondering if his last name was julian. I met a will some time back. I am from newfoundland and alot of the soldiers stay at the hotel i work at when they pass through. If its not him it doesn't really matter cause i hope he takes care of himself regardless of his last name.
God bless
Dear Will's Mom....and Will too!! I hear that they're thinking of wrapping things up over there, which should mean the guys are coming home!! I think you both should appear on like the Today show or Good Morning America to start with.
Take care and I'll tune in to watch!!!
As always, a pleasure to read your mails.
Hope you will be able to get a good rest soon. Keep well & "read" you soon :)
From Spain... with love.
Iris
P.S. Thank´s Will´s Ma for re-writing & mailing us !
Posted by: Iris on April 27, 2003 12:22 PMWill and his Mummy!
Thank you for sharing this with us. Thanking you for having Will! Thank you Will for being Will! I am so thankful to have found this site, and to have read Will's words which at the very least should become a part of History somehow. The Smithsonian needs to get a load of this!!!
hugs
Shannon
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!!!!
May God Bless You Today, Tomorrow & Always.
Thank you for serving America & doing so so very proudly!
Happy Birthday, Prayers & Warm Hugs
Posted by: Diz on April 27, 2003 06:39 PMHi!
Thanks again Will and your mother too for this e-mail and for the news about Will's life!
But the priority for me is to make my best wishes for your birthday, dear Will!
Happy happy birthday Will!
And I wish you to came back home soon, before the summer arrives in the Iraqi desert!
Auguri di cuore!! ( As you say..:wishes, with love...!)
Ilenia
Thanks for the letter... it was probably a little ray of sunshine for you when it came! Stay safe Will & hope the birthday was fun!
Posted by: Stacy on April 28, 2003 09:20 AMWill's Mom and Will,
It is great to read your letters and thanks for always sharing with us. Hope you have a great BIRTHDAY! Kinda has to suck trying to celebrate over there. Hope you make it home soon. But until then...we will wait to hear from you again soon. You are missed not only by your family but by all of us as well. Take Care and God Bless.
Kelley
Posted by: Kelley in Iowa on April 28, 2003 09:22 AMDear Will's Mom and Will;
Thank you for taking the time to post news from your son. Our prayers our with you and all the other moms who have someone over there. God Bless You! God Bless Our Troops and may they all come home safely soon.
debby in Texas
Posted by: debby on April 28, 2003 11:16 AMThanks! for including us in on your letter from Wil, Sounds like some of the guys will be coing back soon. So I hope Wil will be one of them. Take Care!!
Posted by: chris on April 28, 2003 11:51 AMTorn... I am so happy we are wrapping things up, over there, and hope you come home soon. However, I am definitely going to miss your writings. You will have to come up with something esle to give commentary on. Hey, how is your play-by-play calling? ESPN is looking for a new sports caster! Either way, come home safe and come home soon! Happy belated birthday! I think most of America had a beer or two for you yesterday!
Thank you, Will's mom! I hope that you get a nice Mother's day surprise and wake up to your son's smiling face!
Posted by: Michelle on April 28, 2003 01:07 PMHi, Will
First: happy birthday! Last week i was doing host nation suport on a port of Belgium and i was imprest of the speed of louding the ships with al kind of trucks, M 113,... even hely's wraped in plastics. New is my qwestion: in wat shape coms it off te ships? With a lot of damage? New i stops here and celebrite my birthday with my army frends. Take care!
URL link is ---
http://www.todayhumor.co.kr/board/view.php?table=humorbest&no=3290&page=71&keyfield=&keyword=
*copy the link & See the cartoon*
do U have family?
Really have family?
what about cute son or daughter?
there are no more peace in IRAQ with fucking BUUUUUUUsh & U-S-A
Posted by: freebell on April 28, 2003 08:55 PM
Will is a pretty good writer and this is the collection of his writings. It'll be interesting to hear updates from a soldier's point of view, so I'll be posting them for all to read.
Take care Will