A First Hand Report From Al Anbar Province Iraq

I received a rare email today from a friend of mine who is a Marine and who recently volunteered to return to Iraq.  I'd like to share a part of it with you:

So we got a break from the 110 temps. Last night a kick in the butt sandstorm hit and visibility was slim. The enemy is frustrated and can't stand that every time they turn around there is a Marine there.  We thwarted a complex ambush last week as we patrolled with the Iraqi's. They are getting stronger by the day and before you know it, they will ask us to leave. They have become so much stronger since my last deployment here it would truly astonish you.  We had a young Marine get informed that he is now a dad. Proud and a bit different now that he knows he is a dad shows the true caliber of these studs overhear. They too should make you proud.

They continue to put in long days, bear the difficult environment and continue to accomplish the mission. All are in good spirits because they see first hand the difference they are making. I bet you haven't heard any crap story's on the news lately have ya?? Nope because all of the armed forces are kicking butt here.  Thank you for all of our support and although you may not hear it in the news, you should be proud to be an American, by witnessing these Marines kick butt, I know I am. Semper Fi-Time for a cigar.

Just as I seem to stay annoyed with the media for not reporting about Afghanistan OR reporting via sensational methods, I stay as annoyed with the media for refusing to report ALL of the news out of Iraq.  It's always nice to get the news "from the horses mouth."  I'm sure the naysayers will discount this first hand report.  But I know this Marine. He has little access to email and, more importantly, NO TIME to write stories like the one above unless it's the TRUTH.  Furthermore he's definitely not the type to report anything other than the truth.