Comm. from RJ, Thurs May 12

I got a call at 5:45am yesterday morning from RJ. It was a very quick call, only a few minutes really, but he called to say he was "ok".

It was so good to hear his voice. He sounded off but that was to be expected with all they have going on around them right now. It's a very tough battle they are a part of over there. He said he was tired and sad at the loss of a very good friend recently. You could hear it in his voice. But true to RJ style he was able to find a good spot to compliment it...he was able to go visit a friend in the hospital and also that a staff sargent was going to be able to keep his legs. I don't know the extent of that man's injuires but I guess it was lingering on the possibility of the loss of his legs. RJ was glad for his good news.

He obviously could not tell me any details as to where they've been but those of us who paruse the news online can figure it out or at least narrow it down. They have been in the news a lot lately. Colonal Ollie North is with them now. My sister said yesterday she saw him speak yesterday on the news with a member of the 3/25. She caught the last moment of it but did not get the name of the Marine. She too keeps an eye out for anything to do with the 3/25. (Thanks, Melly!)

I'm so proud of RJ and his fellow men and women. They are working under hot and nasty conditions (they could certainly be worse but still, they're bad compared to our everyday lives!) and with all they have to wear to protect themselves and all that they do so they can protect us and others...well, proud and honored are the best words I have to describe my feeling for them.

In a recent 3 part series by Steve Harrigan of Fox News was about the military medics, their jobs and the people they've saved along with the teams of medical staff at the military hospitals, the series showed that the medics not only work on Americans but Iraqis that are fighting side-by-side with them against the insurgents. They are there to not only help those in need but fight alongside those troops with whom they have developed a close bond. I recently heard an injured member of the Army say she was eager to get back to her unit and within the same breath she said, "There's nothing like the closeness of a military bond...". I'm sure that's true for many in the military, especially those that have gone through war together.

In the last few moments of the call I was telling him I missed him etc. and he followed that up with a "I'll be fine". And the phone cut out just then.

Semper Fidelis. God speed.
You are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Carrie Ann