Will,
Keep'em coming. Glad to hear to you are feeling useful at last.

I always breath a sigh of relief when I get the update notice for your blog. Keep your head down and your eyes open!

Let me say how much we appreciate and honor the service of you and your unit.
Karen

Will,
Always thinking of you and yours. Keep Safe, Keep Smiling...

Megan

Will;

I just want you to know that we appreciate the job you guys are doing over there.
I am also so happy that Jake is doing great. I hope he grows up with his Uncle's humor and courage. Keep writing and when you do get to come home, we want details of your vacation.

debby

All Right Will

I've valiantly been trying to keep silent about all that Wisconsin bashing, trying to make allowances for the heat of the desert ....

But, now I just feel I need to stand and defend the land of de 'nort...

The mullets are slowly being weeded out - fortuntely mullet wearers tend to live in the general vicinity of large spans of hunting woods - can we help it if a mullet looks and moves similar to a racoon?? They make good eating tho (the raccoons of course!).

Then there are the sneers at being a dairy state - as though all we do is sit around and cut the cheese, I mean eat the cheese (did I mention we are the largest consumer of Ex-Lax as well?)

And what about Pabst?? Ok - even I can't defend that one...

Lastly, I would like to know in what other great territory is the official state hat a large, bright yellow piece of styrofoam, its smooth corners gracefully rounded into the shape of a wedge, loosely resembling a mouse's favorite food?

Silent, aren't you Will? I know - the honors bestowed upon this great state are humbling....but, I trust you will remember them in the future before you decide to poke fun at de land of de nort'.

Seriously, hope you and your people stay safe - a whole lotta idiots out there (maybe there is a secret idiot club and you guys have stumbled across it....)

Be safe

Will, if you go to Belize, let me know if you pass through Dallas, TX at all.

I wouldn't mind treating you to a dinner when you return home.

Jay Borgmann
USMC, Corporal (Ret.)
Wylie, TX

I too am from WI and a huge supporter of you Will. I know that you poke fun, but deep down you must have a soft spot for us. LOL After all if it wasn't for WI you wouldn't appreciate Beliez as much.

I look forward to your updates and hearing that you and your crew are ok. Great news about Jake as well.

Keep up the work, stay positive and GOD SPEED YOU HOME.

Good to here Jake is doing well. Now for the spoiling part it's alot of fun. But remember their maybe payback one day (your child). As I remember my sisters first child. (no other littles ones in the family yet) Well, I loved to visit & spoil, just as my sister got him ready for bed. Choc. chip cookies and milk were in order. (See choc. face & hands, hair, oh what a mess) I thought it as cute and alot of fun, until I had my son. The old saying payback is hell!! So be careful!! Good to hear the spirits are up! Take care!!

Will - don't blame you for not taking the leave. I know I sure as hell would probably find a way to keep you here if you did. Will? Will who? Never met the guy. You know, just like when the cops come over... Will's folks - I am kidding, we don't get into that much trouble!! Plus Belize sounds great (do I get another shot glass?)

General Winter is kickin' it in here too. I don't think the snow is too far away. blech.

Glad morale is getting a bit better. And I hope you know that wherever you guys have been, you have made a difference. Not one you all can probably see but one that we feel. Ferris Bueller - you're my hero. Seriously though - thanks.

And speaking of mullets (see LV post) - the mullet show already got cancelled - want to see my surprised face?

The kids here at JPFIC say tell you hi. Stay safe and we'll pray for mud.

Miss ya!

Belize, good place. My daughter and I went down there 2 years ago. Met a lot of good people and had a great time. Hope you get the chance to visit there REAL soon. Good luck and best wishes.

Will,

If you are going to Belize would you like company? I'm always up for a road trip!

I think about all of you every day and hope and pray you will all be able to come home soon!

I know how important it is that we stay until the job is done.

God Bless you, your unit and all of your comrades!

You are true Americans fighting for the Freedoms that we take for granted.

Take care of yourself and your comrades!
Keep the stories coming!

If you ever make it to Maryland I'll buy you a beer!

Mary =)

will,

always great hearing from you. I hope that vacation comes soon for you. keep safe

Will,
It is so good to hear from you. Glad that morale is up, and that you are doing well.
Jake sounds like a great nephew.
Hopefully I will be heading that direction so that some of you guy's can come home.

Jan

Hi Will,
I'm so glad to hear that things are looking up, and that the weather is cooling off. I really don't think it's colder there than it is here in Wisconsin-they're talking 18 degrees for the low by Friday.
I'm also really glad to hear that Jake continues to improve and be a little trooper. The little toughie! You'll have so much to tell him when he gets a little older.
Well, with only 5 months left, hopefully the time will go fast, and before you know it, it'll be time to go home. Then comes your runaway best-selling book, and millions of fans. Hang in there and stay safe.

Will:

I really appreciate the information about how the guys are doing. My brother is there, Sgt. Cox. He isn't computer savvy so, I can't communicate with him this way. I know the day and nights are long there and you all can't wait to get home. Just know that everyone's prays are with you guys and I don't blame you I would probably wait and take a long vaction also. My brother said he wasn't going to take leave either. If you know him please let him know that I asked about him.

Stay strong and be safe.

Hi Will-
I've been following your website since March but finally feel compelled to write to let you know that dental care is on its way. My aunt is a dentist with the National Guard who just found out last night that she is being deployed to the sandy beaches of Iraq in January. She's been told it's for 4 months, but given your experience I'm not holding my breath!!

It pretty much sucks for her because #1, my grandpa's funeral (her father) was yesterday and #2 she doesn't have any partners in her dental practice so faces great uncertainty with her business. So...folks out there...if anyone knows of any dentists in Minnesota (preferably in the Twin Cities, but beggars can't be choosers!) that would be able to come in to my aunt's office and see her patients so that my aunt can go off to Iraq to keep Will's (and anyone else's) teeth in good shape I'd appreciate a holler!!

Will, continue to do the great job you're doing. I'm glad that you are finally doing something worthwhile and will continue to hope and pray that you and your unit stay safe.

Will-

You are generous to pass on leave so that other's who are married are able to spend time with their spouses and children.

As for your post deployment travel plans? Well, let's just say Belize will NEVER be the SAME again!

Yo, ho, ho and a bottle of rum!

Cheers Matey!

I read your letters all the time.My daughter
is over there,in your unit I believe. So glad to hear your alright and safe for now. We are so pround of are soliders.

God Bless you all,
Jo

Hi Will,

Greetings from the windy city! Make it back & the deep dish pizza's on me!

Push on American troops!

Frawy

Will,

As a native of Wisconsin, I LOVE reading your comments about the State.

As a person who has travelled to Belize in the past, I highly recommend the Blancaneaux Lodge owned by Francis Ford Copola... you can find it on the web. From what I could tell, it was a completely self-sufficient lodge (even generated its own electricity from the river it sits along) and the FRESH FOOD was AMAZING. I still dream about it. Be sure to take your mosquito spray and make a visit to the Tikal Mayan ruins in nearby Guatamala.

Stay Safe and God bless!

Yo Will...

Great to hear spirits are going upwards. *chants prayers for M*U*D*) Men will be boys, no doubt. My little son playing in mud with toy trucks=Will playing in mud with real trucks. *Sighs*

Godspeed,
Judi

PS to "Laina":
I'd help you if I could, but I'm in Tucson, Arizona. Sorry

Will...
I came across your site from another and couldn't leave without writing to you. Thank you for defending our country and keeping us from harms way. Thank you for what you are doing over in Iraq and hope you come home soon. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers and come home soon.
Proudly Supporting Our Troops
Jenny
Proud Navy Wife..

A little bird told me that you got a sandstorm and some rain. How's the mud for the boys? Boots splashing in puddles? Any mud play-fights?

Glad to hear you are all well, safe, and sound.

Thank you, once again.

A Soldier's Mom

just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you and all the others over there serving our country on Veteran's Day.

Thanks for doing all you do!

Stay safe Will!

Hey Will,

The guy who blogs 'Healing Iraq' is a dentist. Why not send him an e-mail and ask how to get a little dental work done?
Hope all else is going well.

Hello Will,
We are happy that Jake is well.Great idea to go in vacation in Central America...but Europe isn't badly also....Yes,it's a invitation for to go meet us!!
A greeting to all.
Milena and Adriana

HEY WILL--NOT TO WORRY--I FOUND YOU NOT JUST ONE BUT TWO DENTISTS IN PRACTICE IN BAGHDAD. IF YOU NEED DENTAL CARE THEY BOTH SPEAK ENGLISH FLUENTLY. THEY ARE NEW IRAQI BLOGGERS ON THE NET, GREAT THINKERS., NICE GUYS, INTELLIGENT. YOU CAN EMAIL EITHER OF THEM FROM THEIR BLOG PAGES. AT

http://healingiraq.blogspot.com/
HIS NAME IS "ZAYED"
...
http://iraqataglance.blogspot.com/
HIS NAME , RATHER INITIALS, ARE A.Y.S.
I CALL HIM 'DOCTOR ACE'.

NOT ONLY IS DENTAL CARE 'NOT' NONEXISTENT, IT COMES WITH GUYS WHO EMBRACE US AND WHAT WE'RE THERE TO DO. SO NO NEED TO WORRY. THERE YA GO. ASK AND YE SHALL RECEIVE. i'VE TALKED TO BOTH OF THEM IN EMAIL. REGULAR GUYS YOU CAN BELEIVE AND TRUST. USE EM IF YA NEED EM. OR JUST READ EM.

hi,
I am a dentist in Baghdad, if you need any dental care or advice , just e mail me.
ok ?
bye

People laughed at me in Mar. when I pulled my sleeping bag out of the top of my duffle the night we arrived in Kuwait, but I'm from the desert, I know how the temps shift.

Hang in there, at least it won't snow.

TK

Enjoy Belize...u deserve it...stay safe...and have a shot 4 me....

First off, I’d like to say that this is not defined as an absence of war. It is the presence of liberty, stability, and prosperity. In the face of the enemy. Don't buy into the pessimism and apathy that says, "It's hopeless," "They hate us too much," "That part of the men and women serving here in Iraq the enemy wherever you are.

You are a mighty force for good, because truth is on your side. Together we will ultimately fail. That is why I am asking for your support. Become a voice of truth in your community. Wherever you are fight the lies of the men and women serving here in Iraq the enemy wherever you are.

You are the soldiers at home fighting the war of perception with the media and American people. Our enemy has learned that the people in the highest regard. We love to criticize ourselves almost to an endless degree, because we care what others think.

Our enemies see this as a weakness and are trying to exploit it. When we ask ourselves questions like, "Why do the Japanese hate us so much?" or "How can we change ourselves so that they won't do that again?"

Here in Iraq would be a goldmine. When our so-called "trusted" American media takes a quote from an Iraqi doctor as the gospel truth over that of the horrendous tyranny of the world will let us!

If the American Revolution was all about. Have we forgotten? Freedom is not peace. The peace that so-called "peace advocates" support can only be brought to Iraq through the military. And we are making the whole world safer.

Your efforts at home and abroad. We are a people that cherish the democratic system of government and therefore hold the will of the world will let us! If the American people believe we are playing into our enemies' hands. Our natural tendency to question ourselves is being used against us to undermine our effort to do good in the world. How far would we have to remember is that peace is not peace.

The peace that so-called "peace advocates" support can only be brought to Iraq through the military. And we are doing a tremendous amount of good. Spread the word. No one is poised to make such an amazing contribution to the detriment of our brave heroes fighting for liberty and peace.

What we have to remember is that peace is not free and "peace" without principle is not peace. The peace that so-called "peace advocates" support can only be brought to Iraq through the military.

And we are failing, even if we are making the whole world safer. Your efforts at home and abroad.

We are a people that cherish the democratic system of government and therefore hold the will of the enemy is trying very hard to portray our efforts over here, you can refute them by knowing that we are failing, even if we are making the whole world safer.

Your efforts at home are directly tied to our success. You are the soldiers at home and abroad.

We are a people that cherish the democratic system of government and therefore hold the will of the people back home will lose the will of the enemy.

Don't buy into the pessimism and apathy that says, "It's hopeless," "They hate us so much?" or

"How can we change ourselves so that they won't do that again?"

Semper Fi - Credo Elvem ipsum etiam vivere!

1st Lt. Mark V. Shaney USMC
Baghdad, Iraq