Letter from the Major (12 May 05)

(Edited for security)
12 May 05
Parents, Wives, family and friends,

That we are gone and yet you still manage to take the time out of your busy schedules to come together to spend time is important in maintaining the family atmospherics. I am thankful to you all for your efforts. It means a lot. I hope all is well with everyone and that everyone’s health is in good stead.

I just want to quickly say that your Marines/Sailors are doing a tremendous job! What a great bunch. I do not exaggerate when I say that they are contributing to a fight in ways that even I never imagined they would and the magnitude of their work and sacrifices is simply amazing. I mean that! They continue to work as professionals and the “espirit de Corps” shows in the way they are conducting themselves. I am truly honored to be amongst them.

The mood right now is somber. We have lost several Marines/Sailors (across the battalion) in the past few weeks ...... but as always other Marines/Sailors pick up that “pack” and continue to march. And even though you may not have known them, EVERY MARINE/SAILOR is a HUGE loss and it strikes at the heart of us all but we have to continue. To stop now would only diminish the effort spent by our fallen brothers. The best way for us to honor them is to keep on fighting…….. to keep the pressure on. That is what they would want – and that is what we will do. Not till the mission is complete will your Marines/Sailors stop.

To the families of the wounded; I see the magnitude of the sacrifices made by your loved ones and am at a loss to express my gratitude for the time they spent with us, for their devotion, their will, their service. I am eternally grateful that they survived their injuries and I pray for their full recoveries.

Again, be strong………. for them – they need you.

Take Care. Semper Fi.

Major Gordon